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 15 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 85 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
March 16, 2019 - If you are refinancing a home loan, especially if you have never applied for refinancing before, you may have questions about the refi loan process. Here are some of the most common refinance loan questions and answers.
March 11, 2019 - If you are interested in an FHA refinance loan, especially if you want a cash-out refinance where you can take equity out of your home in cash, the appraisal process will be a very important step. It is not an option for cash-out refis, FHA rehab refis, or other non-FHA Streamline loans.
March 9, 2019 - What should a first-time home buyer know about mortgage loan interest rates? If you are thinking of house hunting alone or working with a real estate agent to find your first home, it’s good to know a few things about the mortgage loan process, especially where interest rates are concerned.
March 1, 2019 - FHA Streamline refi loans are designed to get you a lower rate, monthly payment, or some other defined and tangible benefit. A lower mortgage rate is definitely possible with these streamline refinance mortgages.
February 25, 2019 - Paying more money down means your home loan costs less over the lifetime of the mortgage due to interest rate charges. If you plan to own your home for the full term of the loan, a larger down payment may be a smart thing to consider if you want to save money over the full loan term.
February 15, 2019 - First time home buyers will likely hear a lot about refinance loan options for their first mortgage, and even if you aren’t considering a refinance loan option it is good to know what those options are should you need them later down the line.
February 5, 2019 - First time home buyers, including millennials, may find buying instead of renting to be a cost-effective option in the new year. So what should first-time home buyers know about buying a home with an FHA mortgage loan?
January 31, 2019 - An important thing to know about applying for an FHA mortgage in the new year is that FHA loan limits are higher in 2019, giving people the ability to borrow more to buy a home. And you don't have to stay with your current lender when you are doing an FHA-to-FHA refi loan.
January 22, 2019 - Lender requirements will vary, but FHA program rules allow a borrower to refinance an ARM loan to another ARM loan. A strategy some may use to keep a lower mortgage loan interest rate but stick with a plan to sell the home at a later date rather than keeping the house for the lifetime of the mortgage.
January 17, 2019 - What should first-time home buyers know about buying a first home with an FHA mortgage? There are several areas to be aware of when comparing mortgage loan products including how your choice of home loan can affect your refinance loan options later down the line.
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!
