What is the FHA underwriting process?

Asked by: Willie Weissnat Sr.  |  Last update: February 15, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (66 votes)

For the most part, FHA loan underwriting focuses on three major areas. The underwriter will review the borrower's credit history and scores, income situation, and assets. The underwriter's primary goal is to make sure the loan is insurable.

What does an FHA underwriter look for?

Underwriters verify your income, assets, and debts and review information about the property to determine if you qualify for a home loan. You can speed up the underwriting process by providing all the necessary documentation during the application phase and communicating with your lender.

What are the four stages of underwriting?

There are four basic elements that an underwriter evaluates, which are:
  • Income. Income refers to both gross and net income. ...
  • Appraisal. Appraisals ensure the property or other purpose of the loan is worth the requested amount. ...
  • Credit score. ...
  • Assets. ...
  • Loan underwriting. ...
  • Securities underwriting.

What would disqualify a house from an FHA loan?

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.

What makes a house not pass FHA?

Homes that may not pass an FHA inspection

Structural issues: FHA loans require that the property be structurally sound, so homes with significant structural problems may not pass inspection. This ensures that borrowers are protected from purchasing a property with potentially dangerous or costly structural defects.

The Mortgage Underwriting Process - Who? What? Why?

20 related questions found

Who gets denied an FHA loan?

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.

What not to do during underwriting?

5 Mistakes to Avoid During the Underwriting Process
  • Not responding to emails from the lender. ...
  • Buying an improperly valued home. ...
  • Exceeding loan limitations. ...
  • Lying to your lender. ...
  • Frivolous purchases while your home is pending.

Do underwriters look at spending habits?

Spending habits

And they will look to see if you are regularly spending less than you earn consistent with the savings you are claiming. No matter how frugal you might be most lenders have adopted a floor on the living expenses they will accept.

What are the three C's of underwriting?

Mortgage Fundamentals: The Three C's of Underwriting - Credit, Capacity, Collateral.

How often is FHA underwriting denied?

In 2022, 9.1% of applicants were denied a home-purchase loan, according to data collected under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. However, some loan programs have a higher denial rate than others. Here's how it breaks down. Federal Housing Administration loans: 14.4% denial rate.

How do I pass an FHA appraisal?

FHA appraisal and inspection checklist
  1. Must have an undamaged exterior, foundation and roof.
  2. Must have safe and reasonable property access.
  3. Must not contain loose wiring and exposed electrical systems.
  4. Must have all relevant utilities, including gas, electricity, water and sewage functioning properly.

What is the FHA 10 month rule?

o Closed-end debts (e.g., installment loans) 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.

How often do mortgages fall through during underwriting?

You may be wondering how often underwriters denies loans? According to the mortgage data firm HSH.com, about 8% of mortgage applications are denied, though denial rates vary by location and loan type. For example, FHA loans have different requirements that may make getting the loan easier than other loan types.

How fast is a FHA loan approved?

FHA loan application approval can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This timeline includes the whole process, starting from the moment you submit the application. FHA loan approval time varies for each person and depends on factors like the borrower's financial status and the loan amount.

How do you know if your loan will be approved?

Lenders typically consider various factors before approving a loan application. By focusing on building a good credit score, reducing debt, improving your debt-to-income ratio, and providing accurate documentation, you can enhance your eligibility for loan approval.

Do underwriters watch your bank account?

Mortgage underwriters pay close attention to recurring withdrawals on your bank statements and compare them to the debts listed in your loan application. If any withdrawals seem inconsistent with the provided information, they will seek clarification.

What should you not tell a mortgage lender?

Telling your lender you've opened up or applied for several new credit cards may not go over so well. Wait until after you finish buying the home to make those big purchases. You don't want to come off as reckless with your spending before getting approval.

How much will a lender approve me for?

Most lenders require that you'll spend less than 28% of your pretax income on housing and 36% on total debt payments. If you spend 25% of your income on housing and 40% on total debt payments, they'll consider the higher number and qualify you for a smaller amount as a result.

What gets you denied in underwriting?

Underwriters can't approve a loan application with missing or unverifiable information. Although this might seem obvious, it was one of the top reasons for loan denial in 2020. You can't prove your income or employment history is stable. Most loan programs require a two-year history of steady earnings and employment.

How worried should I be about underwriting?

There's no reason for a borrower to worry or stress during the underwriting process if they get prequalified. They should keep in contact with their lender and try not to make any major changes that could have a negative impact on this critical process. That includes taking out new debt or making a big purchase.

What are the 4 C's required for mortgage underwriting?

So, what do lenders look at when deciding to approve or deny an application? Lenders consider four criteria, also known as the 4 C's: Capacity, Capital, Credit, and Collateral. What is your ability to pay back your mortgage?

What will disqualify you from an FHA loan?

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.

Why would a house not pass FHA financing?

The FHA's three requirements are that a property must be safe, secure, and structurally sound to qualify for one of their loans. Properties cannot have adverse conditions that might imperil the homeowner, and must meet proper building codes.

What are the income requirements for a FHA loan?

The answer to this question is "no." There are no minimum income requirements for FHA loans.