Yes, you can roll closing costs into an FHA loan by increasing the loan amount, but this means paying interest on them, and the lender must appraise the home for the higher value; alternatively, sellers or third parties can contribute up to 6%, or you can get a higher rate for lender credits, but closing costs don't count towards the down payment.
FHA closing costs include an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP), lender and third-party fees and prepaid expenses. You can roll FHA closing costs into your mortgage, but then you'll pay interest on these charges.
Here are six ways to lower the closing costs for your FHA loan:
FHA loans are more flexible here. Sellers can contribute up to 6% of the sales price toward your closing costs, prepaid expenses, and discount points.
The main cons of FHA loans are mandatory Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP) – both upfront and annual, which can last for the life of the loan or 11 years depending on down payment. Other downsides include strict property standards, lower loan limits in high-cost areas, higher long-term costs (especially with good credit), and limitations to primary residences only, which can make them less appealing to sellers and buyers with excellent credit seeking better conventional loan terms.
Cracks in the foundation, signs of water damage, or evidence of settling can raise red flags. These issues often require a structural engineer's inspection, which can add time and cost.
For a $400,000 home, expect closing costs to generally fall between $8,000 to $24,000 (2% to 6% of the home price), though it can vary by location and lender, with some estimates placing typical costs around $8,000 to $12,000 (2% to 3%) for fees, plus prepaid items like taxes and insurance, leading to a total cash needed closer to $12,000-$15,000. Key costs include loan origination, appraisal, title, property taxes, and insurance, with higher percentages often seen on lower-priced homes due to fixed-cost fees.
The FHA 85% rule refers to a past guideline for cash-out refinances limiting the loan to 85% Loan-to-Value (LTV) and a specific rule for identity-of-interest transactions (like buying from family) where borrowers couldn't finance more than 85% of the home's value unless exceptions applied, such as renting from the family member for at least six months prior. While the general cash-out LTV is now 80%, the 85% rule still applies to certain related-party sales, requiring a 15% down payment unless an exception is met, notes FHA.com.
What you'll learn. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans have low down payment options and flexible credit requirements. While they're typically more affordable than conventional loans, one thing doesn't change: paying closing costs.
The 3-7-3 Rule in mortgages isn't a loan type but a federal timeline from the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule, ensuring borrower protection by mandating disclosures within 3 business days of application, a 7-business-day wait between the initial Loan Estimate and closing, and another 3-day wait if significant changes (like APR) occur, giving borrowers time to review costs before committing to a loan.
When you include closing costs in your mortgage, you're rolling the costs into your mortgage principal, reducing the amount of cash you need at closing. The downside is you'll have higher monthly payments, which also means paying more interest over your loan term.
FHA loans typically have a higher denial rate than conventional loans. Common denial reasons include credit score issues, high debt-to-income ratio, and property appraisal challenges. FHA loans require a minimum 3.5% down payment for credit scores of 580 or above. Lower scores require a larger down payment.
Closed-end debts do not have to be included if they will be paid off within 10 months from the date of closing and the cumulative payments of all such debts are less than or equal to 5 percent of the Borrower's gross monthly income. The Borrower may not pay down the balance in order to meet the 10-month requirement.
Uninsurable property is a home that is not eligible for insurance through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) because it needs extensive repairs. An uninsurable property is typically ineligible for a mortgage through the FHA.
The FHA "12-month rule" generally requires borrowers to have a solid payment history, ideally with 12 consecutive months of on-time payments for all debts, especially housing, before applying for a loan, though some exceptions allow for limited late payments (like two 30-day lates in 24 months) or manual underwriting for extenuating circumstances. If a borrower has significant late payments (e.g., 3+ 30-day lates, or a 90-day late) within the past year, the loan may need to be downgraded or manually underwritten to assess if it was due to disregard for finances or extenuating situations like job loss or disability, requiring more documentation.
What makes FHA closing costs unique is that they require a Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP), which includes an upfront fee of 1.75% of the loan amount and an annual fee added to monthly payments.
The closing costs can include any real estate commissions and title work for the sale. The best way to be prepared for this cost is to closely review the loan estimate and closing disclosure with your lender in advance. This way you're not surprised by any costs in the final week of the purchase.
Final thoughts for buyers
While FHA loans can provide increased accessibility for many homebuyers, they may not be the best fit for those looking to purchase a non-primary residence, properties that don't meet FHA inspection requirements, or homes that exceed loan limits.
The "3-3-3 rule" in real estate isn't a single guideline but refers to different strategies: for buyers, it's about financial readiness (3 months savings, 3 months reserves, 3 property comparisons) or a financial affordability check (30% income, 30% down, 3x income); for agents, it's a marketing habit (call 3, note 3, share 3) or prospecting (talking to everyone within 3 feet). There's also a developer rule (1/3 land, 1/3 build, 1/3 profit), though it's considered outdated by some.