Questions to Ask About an FHA Home Loan Before You Apply
March 16, 2023
Are you tempted to build a home instead of buying existing construction? If you want a property that is larger than one living unit, consider buying an existing construction home instead since many lenders who deal in FHA One-Time Close construction loans restrict the project size to a single unit.
If you choose to build instead of buy, you will either need land to build on or you will need to purchase land to build the home on.
If you choose to buy existing construction and decide on a multi-unit home, you’ll want to compare the costs of purchasing a duplex or townhouse compared to that of buying a two-unit property configured differently such as a two-bedroom suburban home.
Are you looking at newer homes or older ones? Assuming you want to buy existing construction with an FHA loan, older properties may have appraisal issues that newer ones do not; but older properties can be purchased with an FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation mortgage and you can repair them with loan funds.
This option eliminates the need for the home to be in “appraisal ready” condition at loan time but it does require you to make the home compliant with FHA standards and local building code as part of the rehab work and as a condition of loan approval.
And if you are buying a newer home but still want to do some improvements without applying for a rehab mortgage, you can always consider an FHA Energy-Efficient Mortgage, which adds extra loan funds specifically for installing energy efficient upgrades to the property such as storm windows and doors, energy efficient appliances, and more.
An FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage can be used with nearly any type of FHA home loan; it is also available with FHA refinance loans. You can even add this to an FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation mortgage to get more mileage out of your home loan.
Other important questions to ask yourself in the loan planning stages have to do with how affordable your loan will be. Do you need down payment help to afford your home loan? If so, begin searching your state and local government official sites for homeowner programs and down payment assistance programs.
The FHA and HUD do not offer these, but your state and local government might, in partnership with area lenders and other agencies. Down payment assistance is sometimes offered on a need basis. In other cases it may be offered to anyone who qualifies for the program as a first-time buyer or a buyer who has not owned a home in three years. Check your local state government to see what programs may be offered in your area.
------------------------------
RELATED VIDEOS:
FHA Loans Have Eligibility Requirements
The U.S. Government Backs Mortgages Through the FHA
Financed Properties Must Meet FHA Minimum Standards
FHA Loan Articles
November 26, 2024
Thinking about buying a home? One of the first things you'll want to consider doing is filling out forms to be pre-approved for your FHA mortgage. This means a lender takes a look at your finances to figure out how much they're willing to loan you. It's a smart move, but you might be wondering: "Will applying for pre-approval hurt my credit score?"
November 25, 2024FHA mortgages include a refinance option that allows you to pull equity from your home in cash. The FHA cash-out refinance loan allows the borrower to take the difference between what remains to be paid on the home and the amount of equity built up.
The FHA loan program has some competition in this area, but how do your other government-backed refinance loan options measure up?
November 21, 2024The dream of homeownership is with some from a young age. But in an uncertain housing market, some grapple with the question: Is buying a home the right move for me?
While renting offers relocation flexibility and lower upfront costs, homeownership provides a wealth of financial and personal benefits.
November 20, 2024Refinancing your mortgage offers a way to cash in on your home equity, potentially reduce your interest rate, or modify your loan term. Borrowers ready to consider have options including FHA loans and conventional loans.
While both provide avenues for refinancing, each loan type may be best for specific needs and financial circumstances. What are the differences between FHA and conventional refinance options?
November 14, 2024The home you want to buy might seem perfect, or it may have a few flaws that are acceptable in the grand scheme of things. But what about issues you can’t spot just by walking through the property a few times? A home inspection provides an unbiased, expert assessment of the property's condition, uncovering potential issues that might not be noticeable to the untrained observer.
