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
SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus
Do you know what's on your credit report?
Learn what your score means.
FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
September 14, 2019 - Some who are interested in getting a loan to buy or improve a home don’t know their FHA home loan options. An FHA mortgage loan requires a low down payment and can generally be more forgiving of past credit mistakes than some conventional mortgages.
September 3, 2019 - Is your neighborhood’s property values going up? Or are they moving in the opposite direction? Depending on what kind of refinance loan you need, this can be an important factor in deciding whether to commit to a refinance loan.
August 31, 2019 - First-time home buyers interested in purchasing a home with an FHA mortgage should seriously consider HUD’s offer to help by referring potential borrowers to HUD-approved housing counseling in the applicant’s local area.
August 24, 2019 - The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced modifications to the FHA Cash-Out Refinance program. On August 1, 2019, the agency issued a press release announcing measures to reduce the risk to its cash out refinance loan program.
August 13, 2019 - FHA home loan rules in HUD 4000.1 (the FHA Single Family Home Loan Handbook) say the lender can, under certain circumstances, use compensating factors in cases where the borrower’s other financial qualifications may be less ideal than others.
July 13, 2019 - Are you thinking about a refinance loan for your home? When interest rate news points to a general downward trend in mortgage loan interest rates, many are tempted to get a better deal on their loan by refinancing into a lower rate.
July 7, 2019 - There are many uses for an FHA mortgage loan, and not everyone is aware of those options. You are not limited to buying a typical suburban house with an FHA loan whether you are a first-time home buyer or a repeat mortgage borrower.
July 1, 2019 - With rates so low, what do you need to know about refinancing to get a better mortgage rate? If you are shopping around for a loan and have not yet applied for a refinance, the rates you see today may change tomorrow.
June 25, 2019 - There are a lot of questions first-time home buyers have about the FHA appraisal process. Many of these questions have similar answers, and some of them have exactly the same answer-it all depends on variables that are outside the scope of FHA home loan program rules for the appraisal.
June 24, 2019 - If you are a homeowner experiencing financial difficulty, you have options with your mortgage that can help you get into a lower interest rate or monthly payment. But borrowers should be careful not to let financial hardship spoil their chances to get a more affordable mortgage.
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!
