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 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 , the FHA floor was set at $498,257 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 |
---|---|---|---|
$498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
Also for 2024, the FHA ceiling was set at $1,149,825 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 |
---|---|---|---|
$1,149,825 | $1,472,250 | $1,779,525 | $2,211,600 |
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
February 26, 2024 - FHA loans and other government-backed mortgages do not (on paper) require you to carry specific types of homeowner’s insurance, but you’ll want coverage just the same to protect your investment. Mortgage insurance protects the lender in case you default on the loan.
February 25, 2024 - Major lenders are warning home loan applicants about scams. These warnings are issued frequently. What makes the current round of warnings different and more urgent is the level of sophistication these swindles have reached recently.
February 24, 2024 - Some people wrongly assume that they’re safe once approved for an FHA home loan and start the process toward closing day. They feel that once the loan has been approved, the transaction is bulletproof until closing day. But that’s not true.
February 23, 2024 - If you are concerned about mortgage loan interest rates and decide to explore your options with an FHA adjustable rate mortgage, there are some details to know about these loans before you start. Borrowers are required to make a minimum down payment of 3.5%.
February 22, 2024 - One-Time Close construction loans are popular for those looking to build a new home on their own lot in Texas. Zillow reports the TX medium home value as $296,582 for the period ending January, 2024.
February 21, 2024 - Borrowers who have missed mortgage payments or rent payments went from salary to contractor status, and those who have filed for bankruptcy may all have to build in some extra time before applying for a mortgage. We examine some common scenarios below.
February 20, 2024 - We typically encourage house hunters to aggressively compare lenders and loan options. But what about the steps before all that, when you are comparing costs and trying to make a budget for buying your new home?
February 19, 2024 - Do you know what to do if the appraisal comes in lower than the sale price? Or whether you can rent out an unused living unit in the home you buy with an FHA loan? These are important things to know when you are planning and saving for your mortgage.
February 18, 2024 - There are three important government-backed mortgage loan options borrowers can choose from when comparing home loans. Many people are new to these programs and their nuances at first, here’s what you need to know as a first-time home buyer reviewing these loans.
February 15, 2024 - While add-ons to your FHA home loan can drive up the monthly payment, that’s a good trade-off for saving money upfront for some borrowers. For others, higher monthly payments are to be avoided. If that describes you, avoid adding on to your loan wherever possible.
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!