Streamline refinance refers to the refinance of an existing FHA-insured mortgage requiring limited borrower credit documentation and underwriting. Streamline refinances are available under credit qualifying and non-credit qualifying options.
The big benefit of an FHA Streamline Refinance is that you can switch your FHA loan to a lower rate and monthly payment. You can save money by getting rid of your existing higher interest rate without as much hassle as traditional refinancing options.
Compared to a conventional mortgage, the FHA streamline process allows homeowners to skip many traditional refinancing requirements, including income verification and home appraisal. The process enables homeowners to save time and money.
The FHA Streamline Refinance is a mortgage refinance product through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that can help homeowners with an FHA loan to lower their interest rate and reduce their monthly payment. As the name suggests, an FHA Streamline is a relatively speedy and simplified process.
On Tuesday, July 19, 2022, the national average 30-year FHA refinance APR is 5.610%. The average 30-year fixed FHA mortgage APR is 5.560%, according to Bankrate's latest survey of the nation's largest refinance lenders.
For an FHA streamline refinance, typical closing costs range between $1,500 and $4,000. Though, closing costs can vary widely depending on the lender, borrower characteristics, and the loan amount. The good news is that you don't always have to pay these closing costs out of pocket.
These FHA mortgage loans are not eligible for automatic mortgage insurance cancellation. To stop paying mortgage insurance premiums you'd need to refinance out of your FHA loan. The good news is that there are no restrictions on refinancing out of FHA into a conventional loan with no PMI.
The FHA does not require a credit report as part of the streamline refinance loan application. Most lenders will require one, though. A standard minimum credit score for the FHA streamline refinance program is 640. However, some lenders may allow a score between 600-620.
Cash-out is not allowed when you get an FHA streamline refinance, however, you may save on your monthly payment. Only the FHA cash-out refinance allows you to receive cash back at closing.
FHA loans, which are federally backed mortgages designed for low- and moderate-income borrowers, do not have any prepayment penalties.
Refinancing from an FHA loan to a conventional loan can be a good choice for borrowers who have improved their credit and grown equity in their home. You may be able to shorten your loan term, take advantage of lower interest rates and enjoy lower monthly payments by refinancing to a conventional loan.
Getting rid of PMI is fairly straightforward: Once you accrue 20 percent equity in your home, either by making payments to reach that level or by increasing your home's value, you can request to have PMI removed.
1. FHA does not require an appraisal on a streamline refinance. These transactions can be made with or without an appraisal. FHA does not require repairs to be completed on streamline refinances with appraisals, with the exception of lead-based paint repairs.
The only way to cancel PMI is to refinance your mortgage. If you refinance your current loan's interest rate or refinance into a different loan type, you may be able to cancel your mortgage insurance.
Whether you'll need PMI on the new loan will depend on your home's current value and the principal balance of the new mortgage. You can likely get rid of PMI if your equity has increased to at least 20% and you don't use a cash-out refinance.
Multiply the home's value as reported on the appraisal by 97.75 percent of the home's value, if that is the maximum loan calculation that applies to you. For example, 97.75 percent of a $200,000 home is $195,500. Add to this loan amount the new UFMIP amount based on a 1.75 percent rate, which is $3,421.25.
The basic requirements of a streamline refinance are: The mortgage to be refinanced must already be FHA insured. The mortgage to be refinanced must be current (not delinquent). The refinance results in a net tangible benefit to the borrower.
FHA Streamline loans do not require an appraisal, but a no-appraisal loan cannot exceed your current loan. Closing costs must be paid up front or arranged for through a "no-cost" FHA Streamline loan. You may also choose to include the closing costs into your loan a "with appraisal" FHA Streamline loan.
FHA mortgage loans don't require PMI, but they do require an Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premium and a mortgage insurance premium (MIP) to be paid instead. Depending on the terms and conditions of your home loan, most FHA loans today will require MIP for either 11 years or the lifetime of the mortgage.
While the law has changed more than once on this issue, current guidance states that borrowers who put down less than 10 percent on an FHA loan must pay for FHA mortgage insurance until the entire loan term is over. If you put down at least 10 percent, however, you can have FHA MIP removed after 11 years of payments.
You can figure out how much equity you have in your home by subtracting the amount you owe on all loans secured by your house from its appraised value.