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
November 11, 2018 - There are several circumstances that can kill the progress of your FHA home loan. Do you know how to anticipate these issues? Some are borrower-preventable, some are circumstantial, and others may be completely beyond the borrower, lender, or seller’s control.
November 9, 2018 - While using your existing lender may be easier, you may not always get the most competitive rates or terms without shopping around. Any participating FHA lender offering the refinance loan you seek can help you; don’t feel limited to the financial institution that originated your first loan.
November 2, 2018 - There are some facts and figures from recent home loan research that indicate that refinance loans are about to become more popular than ever and there are some stats you should know that may eliminate any doubts you have going forward.
November 1, 2018 - These mortgages are strictly for FHA-to-FHA refinances. They have no FHA-required credit checks and must result in a specific tangible benefit to the borrower, such as a lower payment, lower interest rate, or moving out of an adjustable rate loan to a fixed rate FHA mortgage.
October 30, 2018 - FHA reverse mortgages (Home Equity Conversion Mortgages) with case numbers assigned between October 1, 2018 and September 20, 2019 will require a second appraisal in cases where the FHA determines there has been an inflated property valuation.
October 29, 2018 - Unless otherwise specified in FHA loan rules, most FHA refinance loans except for Streamline Refinances will require an appraisal. In the case of an FHA Streamline Refinance the lender may still require a new appraisal, but there is no FHA requirement to do so.
October 27, 2018 - What’s the difference between an FHA cash-out refinance loan and an FHA reverse mortgage? There are several distinctions between these two FHA guaranteed loans, both of which can result in cash back to the borrower as part of the loan transaction.
October 25, 2018 - The kind of FHA refinance loan you get will depend on what your financial needs and goals are; some borrowers want cash back, others need a lower mortgage payment, and some just want to get out of an adjustable rate mortgage into the predictability of a fixed-rate FHA mortgage.
October 24, 2018 - Many house hunters want to know what the costs of the home loan will be. They want to anticipate these expenses in the budgeting and planning stages of the home loan and try to pay for more up front. There are variables that will affect how much your loan costs.
October 10, 2018 - Depending on your financial needs and goals, it may be tempting to pay off an FHA mortgage faster than the term of the loan. This is a good idea if you need to save money over the lifetime of the mortgage-paying the full term of the loan means paying interest for that full term.
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!
