FHA loans are mortgages intended for certain borrowers who might find it difficult to obtain loans otherwise. The federal government insures FHA loans, which are issued by private lenders, such as banks. FHA borrowers must pay two types of mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs)—one upfront and the other monthly.
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.
Homes must meet the following appraisal requirements, or be repaired to meet requirements, to be approved for an FHA loan: Must have an undamaged exterior, foundation and roof. Must have safe and reasonable property access. Must not contain loose wiring and exposed electrical systems.
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.
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 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.
If you make $70k a year, you can afford to spend about $1,633 on a monthly mortgage payment — as long as you have less than $500 in other monthly debt payments. You may be able to afford a $302,000 home in a low cost of living area. You may be able to afford a $247,000 home in a high cost of living area.
Your monthly payment for a $300,000 mortgage and a 30-year loan term could range from $1,798 to $2,201, depending on your interest rate and other factors. Learn more about the upfront and long-term costs of a home loan.
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.
The answer to this question is "no." There are no minimum income requirements for FHA loans.
If you have FHA mortgage insurance, you must make both an upfront payment and monthly payments as long as you have the home loan, regardless of the equity in the home.
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.
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.
According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance. Private mortgage insurance.
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.
So, yes, you can use a personal loan for closing costs. However, you can't use it for a down payment, and you must tell your lender that you'll go this route and borrow to pay the closing costs. The lender will include it in your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which is the amount of debt you have relative to your income.
FHA loans require a minimum 3.5 percent down payment for borrowers with a credit score of 580 or more. Borrowers with a credit score of 500 to 579 need to put 10 percent down. Conventional conforming mortgages only require 3 percent down, and VA and USDA loans require no down payment.
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.
The property needs to be free of known hazards that affect health and safety, the home's use, or may affect the structural soundness of the house and its marketability. These include, but are not limited to: Toxic chemicals. Radioactive materials.