FHA May Change Seller Contribution Limits

buying a house in raleighIn 2010, FHA issued a fairly detailed document that outlined changes they felt were necessary to keep the Capital Requirements of the fund solvent.  Those changes updated minimum credit scores accepted, and corresponding downpayment requirements for those with very low scores.  Additionally, FHA proposed limiting Seller Concessions with FHA loans.  Since then they’ve been gathering data and comments on Seller Concessions, but no defining underwriting guidelines emerged.

Recently HUD published a “Revised Proposal for Limiting Seller Concessions” that was open for comments until March 26, 2012.  In the proposal, HUD is suggesting that Seller Concessions be reduced from the current 6% to three percent or $6,000, whichever is greater.  Obviously, if you are receiving $6,000 from the Seller, and your closing costs total $5,650 (For example) the lower, actual cost would be the most a Seller could contribute. 

HUD also proposes limiting acceptable uses of seller concession to payments toward borrower closing costs, prepaid items, discount points, the FHA Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premium, and an Interest Rate Buydown.

The significance of this last part is probably a tripping point for many Sellers, because it does not seem to address the repairs or appliance packages (and other builder Concessions) we routinely see added on contracts.  The final commentary on these proposal will likely come out on July 1, when the revised Guidelines for Collection Accounts is due.

If you have questions about qualifying for a FHA mortgage loan in NC – Call Steve and Eleanor Thorne 919 649 5057, we have the best rates, and we know the guidelines!  Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter or Google +

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Refunds On FHA PMI – 2012

fha_mip_refundFHA acts as an Insurance Company, and they charge “premiums” two different ways.  They charge an UpFront Premium and an annual Premium.  Because most of us don’t keep the “original” mortgage for more than a few years, there were situations where FHA would REFUND part of your Upfront Premium back.  That’s changed…

Prior to 2005, FHA /HUD issued refund checks to borrowers who refinanced out of FHA mortgages, and there was “unearned” premiums left from the amount FHA charged up-front.  (So you get a 30 year mortgage, pay in the full 30 years worth of MIP upfront, and you are ready to move or refinance in year 4 – you got something back)  But they stopped issuing refund checks on mortgages endorsed for insurance on and after December 8th, 2004.

Since then, borrowers who refinance out of FHA mortgages no longer received MIP refund checks – it’s just part of doing business with FHA.  In reality, because of the number of FHA loans going into default, it’s simply not feasible.

SILVER LINING:

Borrowers who refinance from FHA to FHA, however, do receive a credit for the unearned MIP premium on the existing loan which is applied toward the new MIP premium for the new refinance.  So, if you are going from FHA loan to FHA loan on a refinance, there might be some credit issued… but the devil is in the details.

The NEW FHA 2012 STREAMLINE Refinance Program goes into effect on June 12, 2012.  Seems like an Arbitrary Date?  NOT SO!

For FHA-insured loans endorsed on or after December 8, 2004, no refund is due the homeowner unless they refinanced to a new FHA-insured loan, and no refund is due these homeowners after the third year of insurance. [Read more...]

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Announcement: FHA PMI Changes on April 2012 and June 2012

new homes in apexFHA does not make mortgage loans, they do, however, insure the banks against default.  So, FHA is basically an Insurance Company.  Each entity buying FHA loans is insured against the borrower falling into some consequence that keeps them from making their payments.

Because so many people have actually gone into foreclosure, FHA has changed the rates of the insurance (or PMI) that they charge on loans.  This week, FHA announced their FHA PMI (or Mortgage Insurance Program) will see additional rate changes in April of 2012, and June of 2012.

(Just to be clear – The “industry” term for this default insurance for FHA is referred to as MIP – however, most of the people we talk to think of it as “PMI” and therefore, we refer to it as FHA PMI.)

Effective with today’s announcement, the two tiers of FHA PMI change as follows: [Read more...]

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The Different Kinds of Mortgage Insurance

New House PMIMost folks want to avoid PMI… but they don’t realize that they are happily paying a “kind” of mortgage insurance no matter what kind of loan they are getting!

Mortgage Insurance is not the insurance that covers you if you die, or are disabled and can not pay the mortgage… it’s the insurance that protects the BANK in the event you go into foreclosure.

Given the recent UP TICK in foreclosures, you can see why banks are requiring higher coverage amounts!  If you are applying for a Conventional mortgage, and you are putting more then 20% on a property you plan to live in, you avoid this additional insurance… [Read more...]

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Refinance Options For FHA Mortgages

fha refinanceIf you currently have an FHA Mortgage, we might want to peak and see if you’re eligible for an FHA Streamline Refinance.  This is a great program, that differs GREATLY from other mortgage programs!  Under the updated FHA guidelines, you can refinance to lower payments with No Income Verification, No Appraisal… it’s pretty simple!

The FHA Streamline Refinance program is only available to folks who currently have an FHA home loan mortgage.  Even if you are not currently occupying the property, we MIGHT be able to do a Streamline refinance!  This is not a program designed for those who want to take equity out of their home, only for those who currently have an FHA mortgage on their home, and want a lower mortgage rate!  It’s one of the easiest, fastest ways to get your payments down!

One of the biggest differences between the FHA Streamline Refinance, and a VA Streamline Refinance (or a USDA Refinance for that matter) is that the program does not require an updated home appraisal. [Read more...]

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Compensating Factors and FHA

compensating factors usdaI was at a seminar today that reminded me of one of my favorite things about the FHA Mortgage Program… Over the last few months mortgage products have been deleted on a daily basis – but FHA is getting new features and really “beefing up” their presence!  Today, FHA loans are the “Loans of Choice” for most first time homebuyers!

 There are suppose to be “4 C’s” that are required to get a mortgage loan.  They include:

  • Cash:  How much can you put into the property, how much have you saved?  OR can you qualify for a Government Grant to cover your downpayment, or use one of the no money down programs like USDA Home Loans or Veteran Home Loans.
  • Credit:  Do you have a credit history?  If not, FHA will accept some non-traditional credit.  Do you have a spotless credit history?  If you have Bankruptcy, a Short Sale or Foreclosure in your past – FHA might still be willing to insure your loan!
  • Collateral:  Do you have a property FHA wants to insure?
  • Character:  Have you moved 8 times in the last 3 years?  Do you have a history of employment in your chosen field?  Do you have a ton of collections?  These are all part of the “Character” an underwriter is looking at.

In some cases Conventional Loans will make “exceptions,” but in today’s environment – that’s a rare site.

With FHA Mortgage Guidelines, though – there’s a 5th point of consideration.  COMPENSATING FACTORS.  Those factors could be what weighs the loan in your favor!  Some of our favorites include: [Read more...]

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Tiered Pricing and FHA Loans

There are many many rules that define who many discount points we can charge, or how much money we can earn in commissions in North Carolina.  But FHA has ADDITIONAL rules regarding pricing.

FHA’s Tiered Pricing Rules  FHA’s Tiered Pricing Rules prohibit a lender from charging higher prices (discount points) for low balance loans than the lender charges for higher balance loans. A lender’s customary lending practices may not provide for a variation of more than two discount points (2.00%) charged on its FHA mortgages within a geographic area. In addition, any variation within two points must be based on actual variations in fees or costs to the lender to make the loan. Mortgagee Letter 1994-16 provides guidance to lenders with respect to tiered pricing rules. Additional guidance regarding pricing with respect to overages and yield spread premiums can be found in Mortgagee Letters 1994-43 and 2001-26.

If you are considering purchasing a home in Cary, NC with FHA financing, please contact Steve and Eleanor Thorne, we have the best rates!  919-649-5058

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FHA Qualifying Requirements

Many of the folks we are talking with right now want to purchase a home using the FHA Mortgage Loan program – and then taking the $8000 Tax Credit (you can get that back NOW, like in 12 weeks, by amending THIS YEAR’s TAX RETURN!) to “pay yourself back” for the downpayment!

Here are qualifying requirements for an FHA Mortgage Loan:

  • You can have a Co-Signor on a FHA loan.
  • You need to wait at $8000 Tax Credit Updateleast 2 consecutive years following a bankruptcy.
  • Any history of foreclosure must be at least 3 years old
  • You must have had a stable income for at least 12 months and proof that you have paid all your bills.
  • You must be able to make a 3.5% down payment, which is considerably lower than conventional loans.
  • The Downpayment can be a GIFT!
  • There are also eligibility requirements for the home. Properties that are eligible for a FHA loan include: single-family homes, 2-4 unit properties, condominiums, double-wide manufactured homes and modular homes. Ineligible homes include (but are not limited to) co-ops, boarding houses, commercial properties, hotels, and private clubs. A home is also ineligible if the seller acquired the house within the past 90 days. For any property over 10 acres, the loan will be based on the price of the house and the first 10 acres only. Additionally, the property must be used as a primary place of residence.
  • You can count Part Time Income for a FHA Loan
  • You need a credit score of at least 620 to get our best priced FHA Loans… lower scores might qualify- call us for details!

If you are considering a PURCHASE of a home in Cary, NC – or refinancing a FHA Mortgage in Raleigh, NC Steve and Eleanor Thorne – Connect With Us on Facebook, Inc. Cary NC, 919-649-5058 for the BEST (read cheapest!) FHA Mortgage Rates!

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