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.
Yes, you can refinance your FHA loan to a conventional loan. Many borrowers do just that once they've increased their credit score and built equity in their homes. Many borrowers refinance an FHA loan to conventional to eliminate the required mortgage insurance on FHA loans.
You can refinance sooner than you could with an FHA streamline. There are no time limits on how soon you can refinance from FHA to conventional. As long as you qualify and there's a financial benefit, you don't have to wait to make the change.
Cons of refinancing from FHA loan to conventional
These costs can total thousands of dollars; they're typically 2% to 5% of the loan amount. You may be able to lower them by paying a higher interest rate.
You can get an FHA Simple Refinance that replaces your existing FHA insured loan with a new fixed-rate or adjustable-rate loan. Because you're already an FHA borrower, the process should be faster and simpler than when you got your original loan.
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.
While FHA loans make it easier to buy a home, they have several downsides that you should consider before applying for one. Borrowers who take out FHA loans will likely face higher costs upfront and with every payment, and it could signal that they aren't ready for a mortgage.
You'll typically pay mortgage refinance closing costs ranging from 2% to 6% of your loan amount, depending on the loan size. National average closing costs for a single-family home refinance were $2,375 without taxes or recording fees, according to 2021 data from ClosingCorp, a real estate data and technology provider.
If you want to refinance, no down payment is needed. Still, it does not mean that you won't have to pay anything to refinance your mortgage. You will have to pay closing costs that typically add up to about 2 to 5 percent of the loan amount.
Because FHA closing costs include the upfront MIP, an FHA loan can have average closing costs on the higher end of the typical 3% – 6% range. That doesn't diminish in any way the value of getting an FHA mortgage, with its low down payment, lower interest rates and flexible underwriting.
Simply put: if you have an FHA loan term of more than 15 years, have been paying it for at least 5 years, and have an LTV ratio of 78% or less, PMI can be removed from the loan. FHA loans of 15 years or less have the same criteria, minus the 5-year requirement.
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.
If your credit score is between 500 and 620, the FHA loan is best suited for you because it's your only available option. But if your credit score is above 620, it's worth looking into a conventional loan with 3% down. Especially because, as your credit score goes up, your mortgage rate and PMI costs go down.
On the other hand, conventional loans offer faster closing times and more lenient appraisals, as they require lesser paperwork and inspection requirements compared to FHA loans. As a seller, it's important to focus on the strengths of the offer, rather than the type of loan the borrower is using.
Legally, there isn't a limit on how many times you can refinance your home loan. However, mortgage lenders do have a few mortgage refinance requirements you'll need to meet each time you apply for a loan, and some special considerations are important to note if you want a cash-out refinance.
Conventional refinances: These refis are possible with as little as 3 percent equity, but many lenders require 20 percent for a cash-out refinance. FHA refinances: You'll need 20 percent down to pursue a cash-out refinance, but you can explore rate-and-term and streamlined refis with just 2.25 percent equity.
As such, refinancing might not be worth it if: You've been paying your original loan for quite some time. Refinancing results in higher overall interest costs. Your credit score is too loan to qualify for a lower rate.
Refinancing will hurt your credit score a bit initially, but might actually help in the long run. Refinancing can significantly lower your debt amount and/or your monthly payment, and lenders like to see both of those. Your score will typically dip a few points, but it can bounce back within a few months.
The National Association of Realtors expects mortgage rates will average 6.8% in the first quarter of 2024, dropping to 6.6% in the second quarter, according to its latest Quarterly U.S. Economic Forecast. The trade association predicts that rates will continue to fall to 6.1% by the end of the year.
Inflation has been up in some categories and made rates move more upward than downward. Rates came down at the end of 2023 but the most recent Fed meeting should sign that there won't be any rate cuts until summer 2024.
You'll pay many of the same types of fees charged on other home loan types, including credit report fees, underwriting costs and home appraisal fees. However, because FHA lending requirements cater to borrowers with much lower credit scores than other programs, the mortgage insurance costs are higher.
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.
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.