FHA Requirements
Debt-to-Income Ratio Guidelines
In order to prevent homebuyers from getting into a home they cannot afford, FHA requirements and guidelines have been set in place requiring borrowers and/or their spouse to qualify according to set debt to income ratios. These ratios are used to calculate whether or not the potential borrower is in a financial position that would allow them to meet the demands that are often included in owning a home.
The two ratios are as follows:
1) Mortgage Payment Expense to Effective Income
Add up the total mortgage payment (principal and interest, escrow deposits for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance premium, homeowners' dues, etc.). Then, take that amount and divide it by the gross monthly income. The maximum ratio to qualify is 31%.
See the following example:
2) Total Fixed Payment to Effective Income
Add up the total mortgage payment (principal and interest, escrow deposits for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance premium, homeowners' dues, etc.) and all recurring monthly revolving and installment debt (car loans, personal loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.). Then, take that amount and divide it by the gross monthly income. The maximum ratio to qualify is 43%.
See the following example:
Please note that the above indicators do not exclusively determine whether or not a candidate will qualify for an FHA loan. Other factors will be considered, including credit history and job stability.
FHA Loan Requirements
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
September 27, 2022 - FHA loans are typically easier to qualify for than conventional loans, but conventional loans may be cheaper in the long run. But for those who need the added credit score flexibility, an FHA loan is an option worth considering.
September 26, 2022 - Knowing the FHA loan rules for loan approval in certain regions of the country can be important especially if the home you want to buy may be located in a known flood zone. Homes in certain types of flood zones or Special Flood Hazard Areas are not eligible for FHA mortgages.
September 25, 2022 - FHA appraisers must follow certain rules governing the process including some that address specific systems in the home. Some FHA appraisal requirements depend on standards set by the local authority, while others have specific guidance found in FHA rulebooks.
September 17, 2022 - The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced a settlement in a housing discrimination case involving the Housing Authority of the City of Dallas (DHA), which requires the agency to pay a whopping $500,000 penalty to a former resident of public housing there.
September 15, 2022 - Does it hurt a borrower’s chances when applying for an FHA mortgage loan if there’s a debt owed to the federal government? Can unpaid federal taxes become a barrier to an FHA mortgage loan? The FHA recognizes two types of circumstances–tax debt and non-tax debt.
