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.
How much down payment for a $300,000 house? The down payment needed for a $300,000 house can range from 3% to 20% of the purchase price, which means you'd need to save between $9,000 and $60,000. If you get a conventional loan, that is. You'll need $10,500, or 3.5% of the home price, with a FHA 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.
The three primary factors that can disqualify you from getting an FHA loan are a high debt-to-income ratio, poor credit, or lack of funds to cover the required down payment, monthly mortgage payments or closing costs.
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.
The house you can afford on a $70,000 income will likely be between $290,000 to $360,000. However, your home-buying budget depends on quite a few financial factors — not just your salary.
The FHA approves loan amounts based on factors like your credit score, living expenses, assets, debt-to-income ratio, household income, and the value of the property. As of 2025, the FHA maximum loan limit for a one-unit property is $524,225 in low-cost areas and $1,209,750 in high-cost areas.
If you want to avoid mortgage insurance by putting 20% down, your down payment should be $100,000. If you plan to put 8% down (the median for first-time homebuyers) it would be $40,000. If you're a first-time homebuyer with an FHA loan and a 3% down requirement, you would need $15,000.
An individual earning $60,000 a year may buy a home worth ranging from $180,000 to over $300,000. That's because your wage isn't the only factor that affects your house purchase budget. Your credit score, existing debts, mortgage rates, and a variety of other considerations must all be taken into account.
Your eligibility for an FHA loan doesn't hinge on a particular income amount, but you must prove you have a steady employment history. Your income must be verifiable by sharing pay stubs, W-2s, federal tax returns and bank statements with your lender. Your lender may ask for other examples of verification as well.
FHA mortgage rates are often lower than rates for conventional mortgages. However, a lower interest rate does not always equate to a lower monthly payment. FHA mortgage insurance will increase your payments and the overall cost of the loan, even if the base rate is lower than for other loan types.
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 loans are often recommended for first-time homebuyers or those with less-than-stellar credit histories because they're generally easier to qualify for, come with more affordable mortgage rates, and require less cash up front to get into a home.
Can I get an FHA loan with no down payment? No. FHA loans require at least 3.5% down for borrowers with credit scores of 580 or higher, and a 10% down payment from borrowers with scores between 500-579. The USDA and VA loan programs offer 0% down payment mortgages, but you must meet the eligibility requirements.
What income is required for a 400k mortgage? To afford a $400,000 house, borrowers need $55,600 in cash to put 10 percent down. With a 30-year mortgage, your monthly income should be at least $8200 and your monthly payments on existing debt should not exceed $981.
To afford a $250,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $62,000 to $80,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.
The rule of 2.5 times your income stipulates that you shouldn't purchase a house that costs more than two and a half times your annual income. So, if you have a $50,000 annual salary, you should be able to afford a $125,000 home.
If you make $70,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $33.65.
With a $130,000 annual salary, which translates to a gross monthly income of approximately $10,833, you could potentially afford a house priced between $390,000 to $650,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions.
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.
Roll the costs into your loan Yes, closing costs can be included in your loan amount if your lender offers a no-closing cost loan. → How to finance FHA closing costs on a purchase loan: Increase your interest rate and ask the lender to pay the fees, or increase your loan amount to pay them.