FHA Refinance
Learn About Your Mortgage Options
Homeowners enjoy the benefits of investing in their property year after year. For some, there comes a time when that investment can come in handy. Refinancing with an FHA loan can prove to be an effective way to put that equity to work. Keep in mind that FHA refinancing is only available to homeowners who are currently using their home as their principal residence.
FHA Cash-Out Refinance
This refinancing option is especially beneficial to homeowners whose property has increased in market value since the home was purchased. A Cash-Out Refinance allows homeowners to refinance their existing mortgage by taking out another mortgage for more than they currently owe. To be eligible for an FHA cash-out refinance, borrowers will need at least 20 percent equity in the property based on a new appraisal.
A Cash-Out Refinance can be a smart option for many homeowners. Whether it’s for home improvement, college tuition, debt consolidation (to pay off other high interest rate loans), student loan debt, or home remodeling, you can access money that you have in an illiquid asset.
- Credit Score Guidelines
Applicants must have a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for an FHA cash-out refinance. - Debt-to-Income Ratio Guidelines
The FHA has guidelines regarding an applicant's debt-to-income ratio in order to keep people from entering into mortgage agreements that they cannot afford. - Maximum Loan-to-Value Guidelines
FHA Cash-Out Refinance loans have a maximum loan-to-value of 80 percent of the home's current value. - Payment History Requirements
Documentation is required to prove that the borrower has made all the monthly payments for the previous 12 months.
- How Soon Can I Cash-Out Refinance an FHA Loan?
- FHA Refinance Loan Questions and Answers
- How to Prepare for an FHA Cash-Out Refinance Loan
FHA Streamline Refinance
This refinancing option is considered streamlined because it allows you to reduce the interest rate on your current home loan quickly and oftentimes without an appraisal. FHA Streamline Refinance also cuts down on the amount of paperwork that must be completed by your lender saving you valuable time and money.
- Your Current Mortgage Must Already Be FHA-Insured
While refinancing from a conventional loan to one backed by the FHA is possible, the Streamline option is only available to borrowers with an existing FHA loan. - The Mortgage Must Be Current
This means that you have not missed any payments. You must have made at least 6 monthly payments and have had your existing mortgage for a minimum of 210 days before you can apply for the Streamline Refinance option. - There Must Be a Net Tangible Benefit
The FHA actually requires that there be some advantage for the borrower if they go ahead with a Streamline Refinance.
- Streamlined FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Loans
- FHA Refinance Loan Basics
- FHA Streamline Refinancing: Appraisal Required?
FHA Simple Refinance
The FHA Simple Refinance allows homeowners to go from their current FHA Loan into a new one, whether it's a fixed-rate loan or an ARM. This refinance is the most straightforward, and there is no option for cash-out. Lenders will require a credit qualification, income, and assets to ensure the borrower meets the loan requirements.
Homeowners should think about several factors while considering the benefits of refinancing their mortgages. Below are some of the most common goals borrowers have when moving forward with their refinance options.
- Lower Monthly Payments
Refinancing your home gives you the opportunity to get a lower interest rate on your mortgage, which means smaller monthly payments. - Switch to a Fixed Rate Loan
Even by switching from an ARM to fixed rate mortgage, you could avoid higher monthly payments and will have a set amount to pay every month. - Earn Cash on Your Home Equity
It allows you to borrow cash against your home equity in the case of large upcoming expenses. By liquidating this equity you can get cash-in-hand.
- FHA Simple Refinance and the Rate-And-Term Refi
- Calculating Your Monthly FHA Loan Mortgage Payment
- Basic Eligibility Rules for FHA Mortgages
FHA Rehab Mortgages
Many buyers decide to purchase a home that is significantly older, and not in the best condition. The FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Loan enables borrowers to finance the purchase or refinance of a home, along with its renovation or "rehabilitation" of the property. HUD allows Section 203(k) financing to be used for:
- Structural alterations and reconstruction
- Modernization and improvements to the home's function
- Elimination of health and safety hazards
- Changes that improve appearance and eliminate obsolescence
- Reconditioning or replacing plumbing; installing a well and/or septic system
- Adding or replacing roofing, gutters, and downspouts
- Adding or replacing floors and/or floor treatments
- Major landscape work and site improvements
- Enhancing accessibility for a disabled person
- Making energy conservation improvements
- Rules You Should Know About FHA Rehab Loans
- FHA Rehab Loans for Federal Disaster Areas
- FHA Limited Rehab Loans for Smaller Projects
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
February 5, 2020 - One big issue that can delay your closing date is incomplete paperwork. Whether you are submitting or closing the loan electronically or not, you will need to make sure all paperwork is properly filled out and complete.
January 29, 2020 - Those refinancing this year will need to review their credit reports, make sure they have no late or missed payments in the year leading up to the loan application, and work hard to reduce debt and credit card use. Take some of the same steps you took when you originally applied.
January 22, 2020 - The FHA single family home loan handbook, HUD 4000.1 includes guidelines for FHA 203(k) loans. Borrowers should know the loan rules for this type of mortgage includes a list of projects and improvements allowed under the 203(k) rehab loan.
January 18, 2020 - FHA loans permit cosigners, co-borrowers, even non-occupying co-borrowers. The rules for cosigning, co-borrowing, etc. are found in HUD 4000.1, the FHA Lender’s Handbook, but there may also be additional standards imposed by the lender.
January 6, 2020 - One mistake about house hunting that’s easy to make is assuming that property values are similar no matter where you look. If you did house hunting upstate, your results downstate may be different. One area may be experiencing a plateau in values while another may not.
January 1, 2020 - Not all home loan transactions involve the same expenses, and depending on the lender, you may find certain companies may omit or consolidate certain costs, or that the costs are labeled differently but have the same or similar expectations.
December 27, 2019 - If you are looking for a bad credit refinance loan, or are worried that your current credit scores aren’t right for home loan approval, it’s logical that you might wonder if there is a refinance loan that has no credit check.
December 24, 2019 - If you are interested in refinancing your home loan with an FHA mortgage, you may be confused over the rules . Some FHA refinance loans allow cash back to the borrower while others do not. The requirements for such loans will depend on whether there is cash back or not.
December 1, 2019 - Are you thinking about buying a home in 2020? Mortgage loan interest rates on FHA, VA, and conventional home loans were at incredible lows in 2019. Will these trends continue into the new year? While it's possible, it's not safe to assume that current rates and terms will continue.
November 29, 2019 - If you are applying for a refinance loan that requires a credit check, make sure you have made all payments on time for your mortgage and all other financial obligations. You'll benefit greatly if this is true for a minimum of 12 months ahead of your loan application.
