HOW TO GET AN FHA LOAN

We've Helped Thousands of People Secure Great FHA Loans!

An FHA insured home loan is one of the best loan choices available today for any homebuyer seeking a low down payment combined with relatively easy qualifying standards. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). FHA does not actually make the loan. The loan is actually funded by an approved FHA lender, such as Mortgage Heaven, in conformance with FHA lending guidelines.

Today, one out of every two loans originated in the United States is an FHA Loan! This is because FHA loans have become easier to qualify for while also offering a lower down payment than conventional loans. Let’s go over the Top 10 Ways to not only apply, but qualify, for an FHA Loan.

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FHA Requirements

1) You must prove that you have had 2 years of steady employment in the same line of work where your income has remained the same or increased. Your credit score should be 620 or higher with fewer than two 30-day late payments in the past 12 months, one 60 day late payment and any other late payment in the last 12 months, or one 90 day late payment in the last 12 months.[1] However some lenders can accept a credit score of 580, which is the minimum credit score required by the FHA to insure a loan.

2) Your bankruptcy discharge date cannot be within two years of the FHA case assignment date or had a foreclosure in the past 3 years. However, if the foreclosure was on a HUD loan, then you may have to wait longer than three years.[2] If you have, you will likely not qualify for an FHA loan.

3) FHA Loans are available only for primary residence occupancy. You have to intend to live in the property you’re buying.

4) You must also, of course, have the cash to pay the down payment on your loan (the minimum down payment required is generally 3.5% of the purchase price).

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MEET WITH AN FHA APPROVED BROKER

Only certain federally-approved brokers can offer these special loans. Mortgage Heaven is authorized to make FHA loans. You can find a mortgage broker near you by using the FHA Lender finder available on the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website.[4]

In order to originate FHA approved loans, mortgage brokers need to meet specific licensing and approvals depending on their area. If mortgage brokers are not FHA approved, some will channel their FHA loans through an intermediary source. Ask your mortgage originator if they are FHA approved or if they will be going through a third party for their FHA loans. In some cases, borrowers may face higher closing costs to cover this servicing channel. In addition, the extra party involved can sometimes slow the mortgage process and make it more difficult for direct communication.  In either case, ask this question when shopping brokers, as it can be helpful to find out how your FHA loan will be processed.

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SAVE MONEY FOR A DOWN PAYMENT

Since FHA down payments are calculated by multiplying the sale price of the home by 3.5%, if you don’t know the specific sale price of the home, you won’t be able to come up with an exact figure for that down payment. Figuring out how much to save in the early days of planning requires a bit of simple math–buyers should try to find a price range for homes they want to buy and start saving for the down payment as early as possible, calculating a minimum of 3.5% of the highest figure in that price range just to be safe.

There’s no reason why you can’t choose a lower amount, but be ready to make up the difference if you find a home you’re qualified to buy that has a higher price tag than anticipated. The reverse is also true–FHA mortgage loan applicants can put more money on their down payment in order to lower monthly mortgage bills-there is no requirement that the borrower must only pay the 3.5% minimum. One important detail to be aware of–the FHA requires down payments be made by the buyer. The seller is allowed to offer concessions such as paying closing costs or other expenses related to selling the home, but the seller is prohibited from contributing a down payment.

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PREPARE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS

To apply for a loan, you’ll need to provide the FHA-approved lender with documents that prove your employment status, savings, credit and personal information. The documentation that you’ll need is fairly extensive, including job records, tax documents, and personal information. Be prepared with the following when you apply for an FHA loan:

  • Loan Application.
  • Form HUD-92900-A.
  • SSN Verification.
  • Credit Report.
  • Verification of Employment.
  • Tax Returns.
  • Sales Contract.
  • FHA Amendatory Clause.
  • Real Estate Certification
  • Appraisal Report
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COMPLETE A LOAN APPLICATION

Your FHA-approved lender will be able to provide you with the correct application documents for your loan. Fill the application out as carefully and as factually as you can. If you don’t know certain pieces of information, look them up. Don’t guess – knowingly lying on federal documents is a crime.

You may want to get pre-approved for your FHA loan. Talk to your lender about pre-approval – if your credit history and financial situation are in good order, you’re more likely to be pre-approved. Before you fill out the application, you may want to look the document over to ensure you understand all the questions you’ll be required to answer.

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SELECT A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Hiring a Real Estate Agent to help you locate your home and help you submit offers is a no brainer. It doesn’t cost you any money to have an agent represent you on the purchase of what will most likely be the largest asset you own. Buyer’s Agents are paid by the seller of the home.

Navigating a real estate purchase is tricky business. The web has made it possible to do a lot of the legwork yourself, but there’s no substitute for an experienced professional. A good negotiator who knows the market can save you time, money and heartache by helping you make the right offer—playing hardball when necessary—and staying on top of the process.

Don’t just call the agent on a listing you like and sign up. That agent is working for the seller, who (naturally) is trying to get you to pay top dollar for their home. You need a “buyer’s agent,” who represents you exclusively. Mortgage Heaven has a built a network of vetted Real Estate Agents that we can refer to you to nationwide.

MORTGAGE CALCULATOR

(Relax. It’s just an estimate. And it’s for Your Own Good.)

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GETTING YOUR OFFER ACCEPTED

You’re finally ready to take the plunge and put in an offer on your dream house. You found something that is perfect for you and your family’s needs, and you’re willing to pay the asking price. It’s a sure thing, right? Not so fast. It really depends on the market. Ask your Real Estate Agent if you find yourself in a Seller’s Market or a Buyer’s Market.

A Seller’s Market means that there are more buyers than there are homes available for sale. It may mean that your full-price offer just isn’t going to cut it. So what can you do to get that perfect house you’ve searched high and low for? Your agent may suggest things such as: 1) Waiving your home inspection or shortening the contingency period. 2) Offer above-asking. or 3) Putting a stronger down payment or deposit.

A Buyer’s Market typically means that there are more homes than buyers available. In this case, buyers have leverage and can take advantage of lower deposits, and even make offers contingent of the sale of their own home.

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HAVE THE PROPERTY APPRAISED

Even if your application is accepted, you can still be denied a loan if the property you wish to buy doesn’t pass a proper appraisal and inspection by an FHA-approved appraiser. However, keep in mind that the lender or broker must be the one to order the appraisal on behalf of the borrower. The appraisal cannot be ordered by the borrower.

The appraisal is performed for two reasons: 1) To ensure the property complies with health and safety regulations and 2) To determine the property’s value, which also takes into account the value of similar homes in the area.

If you use an FHA loan to buy a house, the property will have to be appraised and inspected by a HUD-approved home appraiser. This individual will determine the current market value of the property, and will also inspect it to ensure it meets HUD’s minimum property standards.

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SIGNING LOAN DOCS

Be sure to read everything before you sign the final paperwork. Never feel afraid to ask for clarification on anything you don’t understand.

Closing costs are generally 3.5 to 4 percent of the purchase price of your new home. Closing costs are miscellaneous fees and expenditures associated with acquiring a home loan, such as attorney’s fees, the fee for the property appraisal, title examination and insurance, prepaid interest, property taxes, the recording fees and others. Take these into account when you’re budgeting for your loan because you’ll need the money for these costs on top of the money for your down payment.

Expect to pay a loan origination fee of 1 percent or more of the value of the loan as well. If they charge more, negotiate the terms down to 1 percent, less than 1 or choose a different lender. Make sure to shop around with different lenders and brokers to get the best rate. Some may not even charge an origination fee.

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MOVING INTO YOUR NEW HOME

Congratulations on your new home! Here are a few small tasks we recommend that will help you move right in and start enjoying years and years of enjoyment with your Family.
  • Change your address with the post office
  • Arrange for your old utilities to be cancelled and change the new gas, electric, water, garbage, and sewer utilities to your name
  • Setting up internet service
  • Hiring a reputable mover
  • Getting moving boxes
  • Inventorying all your possessions (there are a bunch of good tools available to document your stuff)
  • Complete a Free 3-D Virtual Tour of your home BEFORE you move in.

SIGN UP AND GET A FREE LIST OF FORECLOSED HOMES

You can save thousands of dollars when you buy a bank owned home!