FHA Requirements
Mortgage Insurance (MIP) for FHA Insured Loan
Mortgage insurance is a policy that protects lenders against losses that result from defaults on home mortgages. FHA requires both upfront and annual mortgage insurance for all borrowers, regardless of the amount of down payment.
2017 MIP Rates for FHA Loans Over 15 Years
If you take out a typical 30-year mortgage or anything greater than 15 years, your annual mortgage insurance premium will be as follows:
| Base Loan Amount | LTV | Annual MIP |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ $625,500 | ≤ 95% | 80 bps (0.80%) |
| ≤ $625,500 | > 95% | 85 bps (0.85%) |
| >$625,500 | ≤ 95% | 100 bps (1.00%) |
| > $625,500 | > 95% | 105 bps (1.05%) |
2017 MIP Rates for FHA Loans Up to 15 Years
Homebuyers who can afford to pay off their loans quicker and opt for a shorter term, such as a 15-year mortgage, will benefit from lower mortgage insurance premiums, as follows:
| Base Loan Amount | LTV | Annual MIP |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ $625,500 | ≤ 90% | 45 bps (0.45%) |
| ≤ $625,500 | > 90% | 70 bps (0.70%) |
| > $625,500 | ≤ 78% | 45 bps (0.45%) |
| > $625,500 | 78.01% to 90% | 70 bps (0.70%) |
| > $625,500 | > 90% | 95 bps (0.95%) |
How Long Will You Pay the MIP?
For loans with FHA case numbers assigned on or after June 3, 2013, FHA will collect the annual MIP, which is the time at which you will pay for FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums on your FHA loan. They are as follows:
| Term | LTV% | Previous | New |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 15 years | ≤ 78% | no annual MIP | 11 years |
| ≤ 15 years | 78.01% to 90% | cancelled at 78% LTV | 11 years |
| ≤ 15 years | > 90% | loan term | loan term |
| > 15 years | ≤ 78% | 5 years | 11 years |
| > 15 years | 78.01% to 90% | cancelled at 78% LTV and 5 years | 11 years |
| > 15 years | > 90% | cancelled at 78% LTV and 5 years | loan term |
Current Up-Front Mortgage Insurance Premium
The UPMIP is currently at 1.75% of the base loan amount. This applies regardless of the amortization term or LTV ratio.
Current Up-Front MIP on Certain Streamline FHA Refinances
SF forward streamline refinance transactions that are refinancing FHA loans endorsed on or before May 31, 2009, the UFMIP is currently 0.01 percent of the base loan amount.
Current Annual MIP on Certain Streamline FHA Refinances
SF forward streamline refinance transactions that are refinancing FHA loans endorsed on or before May 31, 2009, the Annual MIP will be 55 bps, regardless of the base loan amount and takes effect on or after June 11th, 2012.
*Revision to the Annual MIP Premium – as per Mortgagee Letter 2015-01
There will be no change in Annual Mortgage Insurance Premiums for all case numbers assigned on or after January 26th, 2015 for the following:
- On loans with a Loan to Value of less than or equal to 78% and with terms up to 15 years. The annual MIP for these loans will remain at 45 basis points.
- On terms ≤ 15 years and loan amounts ≤ $625,500 - If the loan to value is ≤ 90%, the Annual Premium remains the same at 45 basis points (bps). If the loan to value is >90%, the Annual Premium remains the same at 70 basis points (bps).
- On terms ≤ 15 years and loan amounts >$625,500 - If the loan to value is 78.01% - 90.00%, the Annual Premium remains the same at 70 basis points (bps). If the loan to value is >90%, the Annual Premium remains the same at 95 basis points (bps).
There will be the following reduction in premiums in Annual Mortgage Insurance Premiums for all case numbers assigned on or after January 26th, 2015 for the following:
- On terms > 15 years and loan amounts ≤ $625,500 - If the loan to value is ≤ 95%, the new Annual Premium is reduced from 130 basis points (bps) to 80 basis points (bps). If the loan to value is >95%, the new Annual Premium is reduced from 135 basis points (bps) to 85 basis points (bps).
- On terms > 15 years and loan amounts >$625,500 - If the loan to value is ≤ 95%, the new Annual Premium is reduced from 150 basis points (bps) to 100 basis points (bps). If the loan to value is >95%, the new Annual Premium is reduced from 155 basis points (bps) to 105 basis points (bps).
FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
August 6, 2017 - First-time home buyer are likely to wonder about the kind of credit requirements needed for an FHA mortgage. According to Experian, there is no set minimum to buy a house. However, that does not mean you won’t have any minimum FICO score expectations from a lender or the FHA.
July 1, 2017 - FHA regulations and underwriting requirements are subject to change from time to time. Some of the changes come as part of new laws that close legal loopholes, improve the fairness of the FHA mortgage loan process, or modernize the FHA loan program.
May 12, 2017 - The FHA Handbook instructs lenders that a borrower is technically qualified for maximum financing at the required minimum 3.5% down payment when the applicant has a FICO score at 580 or higher.
April 7, 2017 - FICO score issues are a common source of stress to potential FHA borrowers. Everyone wants to know if their FICO scores are high enough to qualify for an FHA mortgage. Is it possible to qualify for an FHA loan or refinance loan with credit scores from 500 to 579? Or are higher scores required?
March 22, 2017 - Borrowers wishing to purchase a home with an FHA loan may need some help with the down payment. There are rules that permit a borrower to receive such outside help, but the source and purpose of these funds are carefully regulated under FHA mortgage loan rules.
