FHA loans are great for first time home buyers, rates right now are better for FHA than conventional and the ability to put less down is a plus. Keep in mind they do have an upfront mortgage insurance premium that is added to the loan amount and you do pay a monthly mortgage insurance premium as well.
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.
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 closing costs in your FHA loan will be similar to those of a conventional mortgage loan. These costs typically will be around 2% to 6% of the cost of your property. Your costs will be tied to things like your loan amount state the property is located in and lender fees.
The answer to this question is "no." There are no minimum income requirements for FHA loans.
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.
Common reasons for FHA loan denial include low credit scores, high debt-to-income ratios, insufficient income, insufficient funds for a down payment, and properties not meeting FHA guidelines.
Credit score requirements
Most first-time home buyer programs require a minimum credit score, often around 620, to qualify for conventional loans. However, some programs, like FHA loans, are more lenient, allowing scores as low as 580 or even lower with higher down payments.
FHA loans have lower credit and down payment requirements for qualified homebuyers. For instance, the minimum required down payment for an FHA loan is only 3.5% of the purchase price. The FHA mortgage calculator includes additional costs in the estimated monthly payment.
Loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration require just 3.5% down, making them a popular choice among first-time home buyers. (If your credit score is under 580, you would be required to put 10% down.) In general, FHA loans offer more flexible qualifications than conventional loans.
The total process, from application to home closing, can take 30 to 60 days. You can qualify for an FHA loan even if your credit score is as low as 500. As of the end of the first quarter of 2024, 14% of new houses were sold to buyers with FHA financing.
Can I rent out my FHA home after the first year? Yes, after fulfilling the initial one-year occupancy requirement, you can rent out your FHA home. However, if you plan to purchase another property with an FHA loan, you will need to meet specific conditions and justifications for maintaining the original FHA loan.
In general, it's easier to qualify for an FHA loan than for a conventional loan, which is a mortgage that isn't insured or guaranteed by the federal government. Here are some key differences between FHA and conventional loans: Credit score and history: FHA loans allow for lower credit scores than conventional loans.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
In summary, here's what we found: You need to make at least $54,000 per year to afford a $200,000 house. You need to make at least $81,000 per year to afford a $300,000 house. You need to make at least $109,000 per year to afford a $400,000 house.