FHA Loans

Best Mortgage Lenders for 500-579 Credit Scores

The best mortgage lenders for mortgages down to 500 FICO are direct or wholesale ones with zero lender overlays. The best bad credit lenders are mortgage lenders that will just off HUD agency guidelines and not implement lender overlays. Per HUD agency mortgage guidelines, anyone who meets HUD FHA lending requirements per HUD 4000,1 FHA Handbook is eligible for FHA loans. The automated underwriting system is a sophisticated computerized system with detailed, up-to-the-minute updated guidelines on all aspects of FHA loan requirements. The AUS will render an automated finding based on the HUD agency guidelines.

This video breaks down the essentials of FHA mortgage insurance premiums. Before getting into the details, here are the key points:

Purpose:

It protects the lender if you default. This protection is important because FHA loans usually require low down payments.

Two Key Components:

Upfront Premium: Typically, 1.75% of the loan amount.

Monthly Premium: This fee varies based on your loan scenario.

Impact of Down Payment:

With a smaller down payment, you’ll pay the monthly premium for the life of the loan.

With a larger down payment, the premium may drop off after 11 years.

Refinancing Options:

As you build equity, refinancing into a conventional loan might allow you to eliminate FHA mortgage insurance.

Check it out if you’re considering an FHA loan and want to know more about mortgage insurance.

https://youtube.com/shorts/qRgkoCSJMzg

• This discussion was modified 1 month ago by  Chad Bush.
• This discussion was modified 1 month ago by  Sapna Sharma.
• This discussion was modified 1 month ago by  Sapna Sharma.

I put together a short video that explains FHA loan limits. Here’s a quick overview of the key points:

• What Is an FHA Loan Limit:
The maximum amount the government will insure for a home loan, helping protect both the borrower and the housing market.

• Loan Limits by Property Type:
Loan limits vary based on the number of units in a property. Single-family homes have one limit, and as the number of units increases—up to a four-unit property—the loan limit rises accordingly.

• Regional Differences:
Loan limits also vary by location. High-cost counties have higher limits than more affordable regions.

• Annual Updates:
HUD updates these limits each year to reflect changes in the housing market. So, be sure to check the latest amounts.

• How to Find Your Limit:
You can check your local loan limit on the HUD website or by talking to a loan officer.

For more details, check out the video below.

Are you considering your mortgage options and wondering if an FHA loan might be right for you? I’ve put together a short video that breaks down the essentials for qualifying for an FHA loan: Here’s a quick summary of the main points from the video. And check out the video link to learn more.

• Low Down Payment & Credit Score Minimums:
Understand how a credit score of 580 can get you in with a 3.5% down payment, while scores down to 500 may qualify with a 10% down payment.

• Debt-to-Income Ratios:
Learn how the front-end (31% for housing costs) and back-end (43% for total debt) ratios impact your mortgage eligibility.

• Property Types & Loan Limits:
See how FHA loans apply to various property types—from single-family homes and FHA-approved condos to multi-unit dwellings (up to four units, with one occupied by the owner). Keep in mind that loan limits differ by county.

• Employment Requirements:
Discover why a consistent work history (around two years) is important for FHA loan qualification.

I recently dug into the details of the Hope for Homeownership Research Program. If you’re not familiar with it, this program is designed for FHA homebuyers—and it actually pays you to install solar panels on your new home.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Cash Incentive:

-You receive 3.5% of your home’s purchase price—up to $13,000. This means if your home costs over $371K, you could get the full benefit.

Before Closing Steps:

-Complete two simple requirements:

1. A free
   solar assessment to ensure your property is a good fit for solar
   installation and that the solar cost is less than your expected monthly
   utility bills.
2. A
   short online homebuyer education course (about 4–6 hours, with a $149
   fee).

How It Works:

-You’re essentially paid to participate in the program, and because the funds are treated as earned income, you can use them however you need—whether that’s for your down payment, closing costs, or just boosting your savings.

-After closing, you install solar panels on your home. The cost is rolled into your FHA loan, so there’s no hefty upfront expense.

Extra Perks:

-You also qualify for a 30% federal clean energy tax credit. For example, on a $30,000 solar installation, that’s about $9,000 back at tax time.

-Plus, homeowners in this program typically save over $200 a month on their utility bills.

This program is a fantastic way to lower your energy costs and reduce your overall home-buying expenses. I’ve made a video that explains it in more detail. Feel free to share your thoughts!

• This discussion was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by  Chad Bush.
• This discussion was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by  Chad Bush.

What would I need to qualify for FHA loan during bankruptcy (over 12 on time payments), no late payments on credit, etc

I just have a question ,I was wondering if my husband was able to qualify for a fha mortgage in the future. He makes 26-27 yearly and has bad credit we been working on his credit. his credit right now is experi FICO 628 ,679 equifax ,675 trans. We haven’t miss any payment in the past 2 years and 3 months but he does have 2 charge offs that are 2 years old and 2 medical collections

FHA loans are the most popular loan program for first-time homebuyers, borrowers with bad credit, homebuyers with high debt to income ratio, and borrowers with credit scores down to 500 FICO.

• This discussion was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by  Eric Jeanette.

I still do not have the right answer on the question I have been asking what is an FHA case number. Why is it mortgage lenders make a big deal about transferring an FHA case number from one lender to another.

HUD, the parent of FHA, does not allow credit disputes on the following:

1. Outstanding collection accounts that are not medical collections.

2. Charged off accounts

3. Late Payments in the past 24 months

4. Derogatory public records such as bankruptcy, foreclosure, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, short sale, child support, federal and state tax liens, judgments, delinquent student loans, and other derogatory credit tradelines.

EXEMPT FROM CREDIT DISPUTES

1. Medical collections

2. Non-medical credit disputes that are on-time payments and good standings.

3. Non-medical disputes with zero balance.

4. Non-medical credit disputes with total credit tradelines with under $1,000 Outstanding Balance.

5. Collections and charge off accounts, late payments, older than 24 months.

VA, USDA, NON-QM, FANNIE MAE and FREDDIE MAC are normally EXEMPT from credit disputes. We have a YouTube live video aired today September 25th, 2023 at 10 am hosted from GCA Mortgage Group which we will post on this thread. Contact Gustan Cho Associates if you have any questions.

Self employed seeking FHA loan even possible ?

Is it possible to FHA with very high DTI?

I am waiting until I file my 2022 taxes to apply for an FHA loan; I hear lenders are a lot stricter due to COVID-19, especially with those who are self-employed. My question is, with a 630 average FiCO score (2,4,5) and my new taxes showing increasing income in the new year (2023), what other concerns should I have or try to prepare for when I apply for an FHA? DTI is low as well

I have a 705 credit score and zero late payments. I have a 16-year job history and make 80,000 per year. I also have a nine-year rental history. I have the opportunity to purchase the townhome that I’ve been renting, but I’m concerned because my DTI is 48.5%. Do you think I will still get an approval? If so, do you know if I will need mortgage reserves, and if so, approximately how much? I’m using a 401(k) loan for the down payment and closing costs.

I am trying to purchase a home in Wisconsin. The state of Wisconsin is a community property state. I want to exclude my wife from my FHA LOAN. However, she has a lot of debts. She has a full-time job. Can her debts not count if she makes a lot of income? Counting her debts and excluding her income disqualifies me due to going over the maximum debt-to-income ratios on an FHA LOAN. She cannot be on a loan due to a recent foreclosure reporting on a home that was surrendered 6 years ago but was taken out of her name.

I want to purchase a home. But I’m stuck with the Debt to Income Ratio. Not because I have debt. I don’t have debt ( I already paid it all). However, my income for W2 2020 is only $41,000, or around $3600/month. I have 150K in my bank, but I only want to use it for a downpayment of 3,5% because I want to use the rest of the money to build ADU, maybe about 2 or 3 bedrooms, so I can rent it to other people to make income. because rent average around here is for room rent about 800- 900 per month. I stuck with the DTI Ratio because of my recent income and high house prices around my city. I need a purchase price of 450k-500k with 3,5%. and my credit score is 700. So yeah, that’s the situation. I need advice or a solution.

Qualifying For Mortgage With Charge Off With Balances. I have multiple outstanding charge-off accounts with balances. Can I qualify for a mortgage?

Qualifying for a FHA with Gaps in Employment? What are the HUD guidelines on qualifying for an FHA loan with employment gaps?

I am looking to purchase a house via FHA. I have a total of $1996.4 I (including my student loans) monthly payments and make approx. $7600/month. What are the guidelines for getting student loans and applying for a first-time buyer loan for an FHA? Is there an alternative way to qualify when I have high student loans?

I have two jobs/positions with one company. One is a W2, and I am labeled part-time. I average 34- 60+ hours every two weeks. Where can I obtain lending?

If the FHA Title I loan is under $7,500, the title I loan is considered an unsecured personal renovation loan. However, any Title I loans greater that $7,500 up to $25,000 is considered a second mortgage and the lien is placed on the house behind the first mortgage.

I am in the middle of the loan process with Cross Country Mortgage Brokerage in Schaumburg. I get a condition that needs realtors, sellers, and my signature and is called FHA AMENDATORY Clause. I asked my loan officer at least 5 times what a FHA AMENDATORY Clause means. I get different answers every time . I asked a processor from the Walden street branch of the the Cross Country Mortgage branch and the processors tells me that I need to talk to my loan officer. She says she cannot tell me because only licensed loan officers are allowed to explain it. I then reseached Cross Country Mortgage and they had the worst reviews. I think nobody at the Walden street branch in Schaumburg Illinois knows what the FHA AMENDATORY CLAUSE is. Can someone explain to me what the FHA AMENDATORY CLAUSE IS and is it supposed to be a secret?

I live in Texas in community property state . I need to qualify for $240,000 FHA LOAN. However, my wife has a $10,000 judgment . How will this affect me in getting approved for a FHA Loan without going through a legal divorce.

Do you treat income taxes as past due if the taxes aren’t paid the earlier of when the tax return is filed or the last day to file without an extension?  Or at some later date?

• This discussion was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by  Alan Bercovitz.

FHA Down Payment Assistance programs are grants or loans offered by city, county, or state housing agencies to promote home ownership in their jurisdiction. Unlike general FHA loans, FHA down payment assistance is not a national uniform federal program. Each FHA down payment assistance program has its credit and income requirements.  This forum will answer questions about the individual FHA down payment assistance program per jurisdiction.

I have been in my same job for 4 years but was recently converted into a 1099 wage earner from W2. Can I still qualify for FHA loans?

Can I qualify for an FHA loan after filing bankruptcy?

• This discussion was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by  Sapna Sharma.
• This discussion was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by  Sapna Sharma.

How Can I Qualify For FHA Loan If I Am Commission Income? What type of mortgage loan program enables me to qualify for a home loan with commission income? What are the eligibility requirements?

How to get rid of FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium?

Can a Borrower qualify for FHA with Low FICO Credit Scores?