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.
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
January 16, 2019 - Are FHA home loans, which are government-backed mortgages offered by participating commercial lenders, still available during a government shutdown or partial shutdown? This is an important question and borrowers or potential borrowers should know the facts.
January 11, 2019 - FHA One-Time Close construction loans are available in 2019 at higher FHA loan limits than in 2018. This is good news for anyone who wants a low-down payment construction loan that features only ONE application and closing date.
January 8, 2019 - The sharing economy has made entrepreneurs out of many who never thought of earning income by being an Uber driver or acting as an Airbnb host. Some are tempted to buy a multi-unit home and begin offering it for rent to Airbnb users. Is this possible with an FHA mortgage?
January 4, 2019 - FHA loan limits are going up for the second year in a row. In 2019 your ability to buy a 1-4 unit home gets a boost thanks to the higher limits. FHA loan FICO score requirements and other credit rules of the program will NOT change in 2019.
January 2, 2019 - If you’re looking at home loan options, especially for the first time, you might wonder why some buyers choose to pay more out of pocket up front on their mortgage loans rather than making the bare minimum down payment and financing closing costs.
FHA.com Reviews
FHA.com is a one-stop resource for homebuyers who want to make the best decisions when it comes to their mortgage. With our detailed, mobile-friendly site, individuals can access information about different FHA products, the latest loan limits, and numerous other resources to make their homebuying experience easier. Take a look at some of the reviews from other FHA.com visitors!
