Yes, you can refinance out of an FHA loan as long as you qualify for a conventional loan with a credit score of 620 or higher and have 5% – 25% equity in your home. If you have 20% equity, you may also be able to remove your mortgage insurance and lower your monthly payment in the process.
FHA loan rules do not forbid identity of interest transactions are permitted, but many want to know why the higher down payment may be a factor. According to HUD 4000.1: “The maximum LTV percentage for Identity-of-Interest transactions on Principal Residences is restricted to 85 percent.
FHA Loan: Cons
Here are some FHA home loan disadvantages: An extra cost – an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) of 2.25% of the loan's value. The MIP must either be paid in cash when you get the loan or rolled into the life of the loan. Home price qualifying maximums are set by FHA.
If you're currently in the market looking to buy a triplex or fourplex with FHA financing, you need to see if the property's rents pass the Self-Sufficiency Test. To be “self-sufficient” means that 75% of the property's rents need to cover the monthly payments.
FHA-specifics
If you can show proof that you have now been employed for at least a six-month period before requesting a FHA loan, AND that before any employment gap you worked for two-years straight or longer, you have the potential to get approved.
Down payments and gift funds
The minimum down payment required for an FHA loan is 3.5% if you have a credit score of 580 or higher. If you have a credit score from 500 to 579, you'll have to put down at least 10% of the purchase price.
Some reasons a seller might refuse an FHA loan include misconceptions about longer closing times, stricter property requirements, or the belief that FHA borrowers are riskier.
FHA First Mortgage
Borrower must have owned property for 12 months AND if encumbered by a mortgage made payments for the last 12 months within the month due. Otherwise limited to 85% LTV. Standard 31/43 ratios, may be exceeded with compensating factor(s).
An FHA cash-out refinance is an FHA loan option that allows you to borrow more than you currently owe and pocket the difference between the two loans in cash. You can use the money in a variety of ways, including: Funding home improvements. Consolidating high-interest-rate debt. Covering higher education expenses.
You could eliminate your FHA mortgage insurance premium without refinancing, but only if one of these two scenarios applies to you: Your loan origination date was between Jan. 1, 2001, and June 2, 2013. In this case, your MIP will be canceled when you reach a loan-to-value ratio of 78%, or have 22% equity in your home.
You may be denied for an FHA loan if you have declared bankruptcy but you have not had the bankruptcy discharged. You may be denied if you are delinquent on federal taxes or otherwise owe money to the federal government but without an approved payment plan.
Why? They feel that buyers who can secure any other financing option are 'stronger buyers. ' FHA buyers have a reputation for having low credit scores, little money to put down, and less than optimal qualifying requirements. Sellers want a 'sure thing' when they sell their home.
With FHA loans, you also have to pay an upfront mortgage insurance fee. This can be financed, but it will cause your mortgage insurance payments to be more expensive than with a conventional mortgage. Inspection standards: To qualify as an FHA-eligible property, a home must go through a property standards inspection.
An FHA loan may be a better option if you have a lower credit score, a higher DTI ratio, or less money saved for a down payment. On the other hand, a conventional loan may work better if your finances are sound and you can qualify for favorable loan terms.
Unfortunately, sellers often perceive the FHA loan approval process as risky because of the FHA's relatively lenient financial requirements and stricter appraisal and property standards.
Since your home must meet FHA property minimums, the appraisal process may include more requirements than a conventional home loan. The appraisal is required to be performed by an FHA approved appraiser and may have additional inspections which could result in a higher appraisal cost.
Of course, one notable detail is that there is no option to waive an appraisal with an FHA loan the way you can with a Conventional mortgage.
FHA Rule 75 states that 75% of the rental income must exceed the monthly mortgage for the property to be self-sufficient. This percentage must be at least enough to cover the mortgage payment, known as PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance.)