FHA Loans and Owner Occupancy
October 18, 2022
There are often questions potential borrowers have regarding FHA loan requirements for occupancy. Some borrowers may wish to purchase a home with the idea they will become landlords of that property.
FHA regulations for single family homes to be purchased with an FHA mortgage have occupancy requirements that prevent this.
FHA loan rules state the borrower applying for a new purchase single family residence must use that residence as the primary occupant or as the "primary residence". But what does the FHA consider a "principal residence" or "primary residence"? Can the FHA approve a second FHA mortgage for those who purchase single-family, owner-occupied property?
The FHA loan rules found in a document known as HUD 4155.1 provide the answer, in the section titled "FHA-Insured Mortgages on Principal Residences and Investment Properties". What follows is the FHA rules for these issues:
"To prevent circumvention of the restrictions on making FHA-insured mortgages to investors, FHA generally will not insure more than one principal residence mortgage for any borrower."
The short answer to these types of FHA loan questions regarding occupancy and renting out the property? If you want to buy a home, the FHA expects you to use it as YOUR home.
Additionally, "FHA will not insure a mortgage if it is determined that the transaction was designed to use FHA mortgage insurance as a vehicle for obtaining investment properties, even if the property to be insured will be the only one owned using FHA mortgage insurance."
To further clarify this issue, FHA loan rules also add, "Any person individually or jointly owning a home covered by an FHA- insured mortgage in which ownership is maintained may not purchase another principal residence with FHA insurance, except in certain situations as described in HUD 4155.1 4.B.2.d." Those types of circumstances should be discussed with an FHA representative and/or your loan officer. Check with FHA if you have circumstances that might be considered eligible for an exception to these FHA loan rules.
It's important to note that borrowers who do not adhere to the FHA occupancy rules could be considered to be acting in "bad faith" on their FHA mortgage loans. Contact your loan officer or the FHA directly to learn what the consequences of acting in bad faith on an FHA loan may be in your state.
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RELATED VIDEOS:
Annual Income Requirements for FHA Loans
Good Credit History Helps Get FHA Loans
Stay Informed About Your Mortgage Closing Costs
FHA regulations for single family homes to be purchased with an FHA mortgage have occupancy requirements that prevent this.
FHA loan rules state the borrower applying for a new purchase single family residence must use that residence as the primary occupant or as the "primary residence". But what does the FHA consider a "principal residence" or "primary residence"? Can the FHA approve a second FHA mortgage for those who purchase single-family, owner-occupied property?
The FHA loan rules found in a document known as HUD 4155.1 provide the answer, in the section titled "FHA-Insured Mortgages on Principal Residences and Investment Properties". What follows is the FHA rules for these issues:
"To prevent circumvention of the restrictions on making FHA-insured mortgages to investors, FHA generally will not insure more than one principal residence mortgage for any borrower."
The short answer to these types of FHA loan questions regarding occupancy and renting out the property? If you want to buy a home, the FHA expects you to use it as YOUR home.
Additionally, "FHA will not insure a mortgage if it is determined that the transaction was designed to use FHA mortgage insurance as a vehicle for obtaining investment properties, even if the property to be insured will be the only one owned using FHA mortgage insurance."
To further clarify this issue, FHA loan rules also add, "Any person individually or jointly owning a home covered by an FHA- insured mortgage in which ownership is maintained may not purchase another principal residence with FHA insurance, except in certain situations as described in HUD 4155.1 4.B.2.d." Those types of circumstances should be discussed with an FHA representative and/or your loan officer. Check with FHA if you have circumstances that might be considered eligible for an exception to these FHA loan rules.
It's important to note that borrowers who do not adhere to the FHA occupancy rules could be considered to be acting in "bad faith" on their FHA mortgage loans. Contact your loan officer or the FHA directly to learn what the consequences of acting in bad faith on an FHA loan may be in your state.
------------------------------
RELATED VIDEOS:
Annual Income Requirements for FHA Loans
Good Credit History Helps Get FHA Loans
Stay Informed About Your Mortgage Closing Costs
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