Obama's MIP Reduction for 2017 Reversed by Incoming Trump Administration
FHA Homeowners Can Still Save an Average of $900 Annually From the 2015 Reduction. Further Estimated Reduction of $500 Suspended.
On January 9, 2017, the Federal Housing Administration operating under the Obama administration announced a further reduction in the FHA loan annual mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) for new loans. The change would affect most Title II FHA mortgage loans with a closing/disbursement date on or after January 27, 2017. Excluded were loans made for properties in the Hawaiian Homelands.
These new MIP rates would have reduced the annual premiums by a quarter of one percentage point, bringing them in line with what rates were prior to pre-housing crisis levels of 2008. This is referred to by many as the "collapse of the housing market." Homebuyers financing their homes with an FHA government-backed loan could have saved an additional $500 per year based on an average $200,000 mortgage with a term of at least 11 years.
Less than two weeks later in the first hour of Trump's presidency, the incoming administration suspended the rate reduction with its first executive action. The suspension of the 0.25 percentage point premium rate cut happened before the reduction had even taken effect.
Since FHA loans have a minimum down payment rate set as low as 3.5 percent, it is compulsory that borrowers pay the MIP. When someone purchases a home with an FHA mortgage, part of their mortgage payment includes a required annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP). The amount of the annual MIP is based on the loan-to-value ratio, base loan amount, and the term of the mortgage.
Loans backed by FHA are popular because the FICO score requirement of 580 is lower than what is required for conventional mortgages and the down payment can be as low as 3.5%. Buyers must still demonstrate their ability to qualify for a mortgage and pay it back on time.
See also: Current Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) Rates
SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus
Do you know what's on your credit report?
Learn what your score means.
FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
January 13, 2020 - A One-Time Close loan can help you build a home without the requirements some other construction loans have -- two applications, two loans, and two closing dates. These construction loans are for first-time home buyers AND experienced home owners alike.
January 12, 2020 - If you've already started saving for your down payment, your appraisal, compliance inspections, and other costs, you’re well ahead of the game. Those who haven’t started truly planning and saving may feel a bit lost when trying to get ready for the loan.
January 10, 2020 - FHA loan rules include the ability for borrowers who intend to be owner-occupiers to buy multi-unit properties. For an FHA loan on a multi-unit home to be approved, the borrower must occupy at least one unit. FHA home loans are for primary residences only.
January 9, 2020 - FHA One-Time Close construction loans are intended to help those who want to own and occupy a home to build from the ground up on their own land. There is also a VA loan equivalent to the FHA construction loan that, starting in 2020, features no down payment.
January 7, 2020 - FHA loan guaranty limits are higher again in 2020. This comes after last year’s increase in loan limits and a fairly good year for mortgage interest rates. FHA loans have loan guaranty limits that help establish the maximum loan possible for a given market.
