FHA Loan Requirements
Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, moving to a new home, or want to refinance your existing conventional or FHA mortgage, the FHA loan program will let you purchase a home with a low down payment and flexible guidelines.
- The Facts About FHA Credit Requirements and FICO® Scores
- Do FHA Loan Requirements Apply to All Borrowers?
- Your FHA Loan Credit Qualifications
FHA Limits for 2023 Announced!
FHA loan limits were established to define how much you can borrow for a HUD-backed mortgage. Each state has different limits, so be sure to look up your state to understand what is available for your FHA home loan.
For 2023, the FHA floor was set at $472,030 for single-family home loans. This minimum lending amount covers most U.S. counties. The FHA ceiling represents the maximum loan amount and is illustrated in the table below.
| FHA Limits (low cost areas) | |||
| Single | Duplex | Tri-plex | Four-plex |
|---|---|---|---|
| $472,030 | $604,400 | $730,525 | $907,900 |
Also for 2023, the FHA ceiling was set at $1,089,300 for single-family home loans. This represents the highest amount that a borrower can get through the FHA loan program. It applies to high cost areas in the United States and is illustrated in the table below.
| FHA Limits (high cost areas) | |||
| Single | Duplex | Tri-plex | Four-plex |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,089,300 | $1,394,775 | $1,685,850 | $2,095,200 |
Down Payment Grants for FHA Loans
Paying the upfront costs of buying a new home can be challenging. To help overcome this hurdle, many local and state agencies offer down payment assistance in the form of grants or second mortgages.
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
March 9, 2023 - Shopping around for the right lender is critical. You don’t buy a car without comparing dealerships, makes, and models. The same is true of buying a home. Like the used car buyer, taking the first offer of credit is likely a mistake if you haven’t compared prices and options elsewhere.
March 8, 2023 - Some borrowers want to know whether the money they take in cash when an FHA Cash-Out Refinance loan closes is taxable on federal income taxes and whether there are allowable deductions associated with cash-out refinances.
March 7, 2023 - It’s easy to assume that FICO scores are a lender's number one factor in approving a home loan. But FICO scores are just one factor the lender considers, along with your debt ratio, verifiable income, and employment history.
March 6, 2023 - How many times a month should you pay your mortgage? That sounds like a silly question to some. After all, mortgage payments are due once per month, and you should pay on time. Why pay twice a month?
March 5, 2023 - What does it take to be approved for an FHA home loan? Your participating lender will review your FICO scores, debt repayment history, and how effectively you use your credit. But one important factor in FHA loan approval not mentioned above? Your annual income.
March 4, 2023 - Recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a press release announcing federal action against RMK Financial, which operated under the name Majestic Home Loans, banning the company from doing business as a mortgage lender.
March 3, 2023 - In the planning stages for your new home loan, it’s smart to make a checklist of things you want from the new home and things you NEED from the new home. Do you have your needs prioritized for the new house? Checklists can help.
March 2, 2023 - FHA home loans are different from other types of single-family home loan programs. Conventional mortgages, compared to FHA home loans, may have advantages such as fewer restrictions on what you can do with the property and the ability to cancel private mortgage insurance.
March 1, 2023 - In late February 2023, CNN.com reported mortgage rates had risen for the third week in a row, putting interest rate averages squarely in the mid-six percent range. CNN reports that a year prior, the fixed interest rate on a 30-year mortgage was closer to 4%.
February 28, 2023 - FHA mortgages are affordable home loans, but some first-time home buyers might not be aware of the ways they can save with FHA mortgages compared to some conventional alternatives.
For those who need a low down payment, FHA loans can save money upfront on the mortgage.
SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus
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Learn what your score means.
Homebuyer Terminology
If you’re getting ready to shop around for mortgage options, it’s a good idea to brush up on some of the technical terms in our Mortgage Glossary. You’re going to be hearing a lot of them!
