Why You Should Opt For FHA Loans

History of FHA

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) was founded on 27th June, 1934. It was into oblivion for some time in 1990s but has become popular again since 2005 and is under the umbrella of The Department of Housing & Urban Development. It had strict guidelines for loan approvals and sellers didn't approve of them. But with the passage of time the FHA loans have become less stringent and have become quite poplar among a specific strata of society.

The working of FHA
To begin with, FHA doesn't guarantee your loans or gives you loans. It only insures the lender that if your loan goes into default. When someone lends you money as loan and you decide to put in less than 20% of the total loan value, FHA insures it and covers the risk the lender is facing by lending you money. Even if you don't get an approval from FHA the FHA approved lenders can accept your loan applications, process the application and underwrite and even finalize the loan.

Mortgage limits of FHA
One of the big advantages of FHA financing is that it has increased the maximum loan limits to keep. When I first started in the mortgage business, most homes in the Chicago area were priced under $100,000. Prices now, even after the down turn, are much higher. Since the cost keeps changing the FHA also keeps changing its mortgage limits. The FHA maximum mortgage changes based on the prices for housing in each area. In expensive areas, in 2009, it was 115 % of the average prices, subject to a maximum of $ 625,500. The loan limit is at $410,00 for a single family house in the Chicago area and the minimum nationwide is $270,000.

FHA loans for bad credit history
If you have had some problems with credit and you are looking at an FHA loan, you need not worry. You can get an FHA loan if we can show what happened with your credit and that it is not a current problem. FHA accepts FICO scores much lower than what is acceptable for a conventional mortgage. If you declared bankruptcy 2-3 years ago but have reestablished your credit, then you may be able to buy with an FHA loans. You may even be able to get an FHA loan within 2-3 years of your foreclosure.

FHA loans offer best rates and terms
The terms and conditions of FHA loans are simple to understand and calculate. FHA doesn't have the loan level price adjustments that are common with conventional loans, so the pricing is better for many borrowers. One of the great benefits of going with FHA is that you only need to have a 3.5% down payment, and all of this can come from a gift. FHA also allows the seller to pay the closing costs (it has to be negotiated into the contract when you buy) so you can often buy a home with out using any of your own money.

At one time, FHA was unpopular with Realtors and home sellers because their property standards were tough, and they required repairs before closing, often for little things. This isn't a real issue now, and though they still do require that the property meets their guidelines, the standards are much more practical and reasonable. They will require anything that is considered a health or safety issue to be fixed prior to closing, but in most cases conventional mortgages go with the same guidelines. There are no minimum income limit criteria for FHA loans. So if you are a first time buyer of a house are short of cash, this may be the best loan for you and a way to buy now.


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5 Tips For a Home Mortgage Loan Approval

Not everyone knows the most important things that he or she should keep in mind when applying for a mortgage loan. At times, they go to buy a home when they see that the interest rates and the prices of homes are coming down. However, it's important to know that the process of applying for a home loan is different from the process of renting an apartment or applying for a car loan. It's important that you educate yourself. Given below are 6 tips that may help you get approval for your home mortgage loan.

1. Review Your Credit Rating

Some people don't review their credit history prior to applying for a home loan. Actually, they assume that their credit rating is already high enough, which is not the case in some cases. A lower credit rating is a big hurdle when it comes to the approval of a mortgage application. So, it's important that you check your credit history and fix errors before the submission date.

2. Get Some Cash

Often, the requirements for a home mortgage loan change. If you are going to apply for a loan, make sure you have enough cash in your pocket. If you have no cash, your application will be rejected. You need to make a down payment. The minimum amount of down payment can be different based on a lot of factors like the type of lender and the type of loan.

3. Don't quit your job

It's important that you keep your job while you are going through the process. Actually, changes to your income status or job may have a negative impact on the home mortgage process.

Most lenders grant approval on the basis of the information given in the loan application. During the process, if you quit your existing job, the lender may have to evaluate your finances once again to ensure you still qualify.

4. Get rid of your debt

Having a balance on your credit card won't stop you from getting a mortgage loan, but it's better to have no debts to pay. Actually, your debts is a large factor that can help the lender find out if you should get a mortgage. The amount of loan you can get also depends upon this factor.

Generally, it's a good idea to avoid making big purchases unless your application has been approved. What this means is that you shouldn't use your credit card to finance a car or buy expensive home appliances.

5. Consider Your Budget

You should consider your budget when it comes to a mortgage loan. You shouldn't make this decision based on the dictation of your lender. Typically, lenders figure out the pre-approval amount on the basis of your credit report and income. They don't care about how much someone spends on fuel, groceries, insurance or daycare. So, it's better that you stay within your budget limits.


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Two Bed Room Two Story - Floor Plan

Two Bed Room Two Story - Floor Plan

How to Get a Low-Interest USDA Home Loan

Many people don't even realize that the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Rural Development Branch offers low-interest home loans to low-income families. Because I am a single mother with a lot of children, I qualified for a subsidized loan. I am only paying a measly 1% interest on this loan! You will only qualify for this low of an interest rate if you are very low income. For people with higher incomes you can still get a low rate.

Also, keep in mind that the house or property needs to be "rural." Now this doesn't necessarily mean that you need to live in the sticks. A friend of mine got a loan in Post Falls, Idaho, which has a population of about 30,000 and is only a 30 minute drive from a major city.

Other benefits are that the homes are required to be no more than 10 years old. They will also finance land/home packages with (brand-new only) manufactured homes and land up to five acres. The will also complete an inspection of the home and property for you to make sure it is sound and meets codes.

Here is a list of steps to take to qualify yourself for a USDA-RD loan:

    Go to the USDA income and property eligibility site and see if the home or property you are looking to buy qualifies as "rural," and if you are within the income limitations.
    Once you are sure that your income and location are eligible, go to the USDA site and look for the "office locater" link to find you local office. Contact them and ask to "prequalify." They will send you prequalification form(s), and if you do prequalify, send to a loan application.
    When filling out your forms, keep in mind that you can count child support and food stamps as part of your income. Quite often, there is a waiting list, so don't procrastinate!
    The rest of the process works pretty much like any other home loan. The USDA loan specialist you are working with will guide you through the process. You will be required to provide certain proofs of income and sometimes they require you to pay down your debt. They also can set you up for special assistance where no down payment is required.
    Once you are officially qualified for a loan, it is time to find home or property. The USDA-RD will fund loans for acreage (up to five acres) and manufactured home packages (which is what I have). However, manufactured homes have to be brand new, so you can't buy existing home/land set ups. Also, stick-built homes can't be anymore than 10 years old.
    So, what are you waiting for? If you have always dreamed of owning a home but haven't been able to afford it because of lack of income, here is your chance! USDA-RD loans are a great deal, and you can even get home improvement loans later on; in fact, I am getting a garage built on property this Spring with a USDA home improvement loan!



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Financing a Manufactured Home

There are many things to consider when financing a manufactured home. This is particularly true for the first time home buyer. Mortgage terms, interest rates, closing costs, originator fees, the down payment, insurance, and other issues that must be thought through in order to make informed decisions.

Buying a home is the most expensive financial undertaking most people will make in their life. It only makes sense that it should be approached carefully before making a final decision.

Two of the more important things to consider when applying for a manufactured home loan are the loan terms and interest rate. These two aspects of any loan will determine how much you will pay, not only monthly but also over the life of the loan.

One thing to keep in mind is that interest rates are moving up and down everyday in conjunction with market rates. This makes locking in the lowest interest rate something of a guessing game, but since the market follows trends it's rather easy to see which way interest rates are trending. If they are trending up then it's a good idea to lock in; if they are trending down it can literally pay to wait until they start to go up again before locking in.

The next decision to make when financing a manufactured home is deciding what type of loan works best for your situation: A fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).

For the majority of people a fixed rate mortgage is the way to go. Once the interest rate is locked in it will remain the same for the life of the loan. This means the monthly payment will always be the same making the house payment easier on the monthly budget. About the only drawback of a fixed rate when compared to an ARM is the initial interest rate at closing, with a fixed rate mortgage being slightly higher.

The ARM, or adjustable rate mortgage, has the singular advantage of having a lower initial interest rate. This can mean a lower monthly payment through the first term of the loan but since it is an adjustable rate that can change once the term is up. If interest rates go up so will the monthly payment, much to the surprise of the homeowner. About the only time an ARM makes sense is if you don't plan on being in the home for very long, other wise stick with a fixed rate loan for the financial piece of mind it brings.

Deciding on the term, or length in years, of the loan is another important consideration. For fixed rate mortgages the two most common are 15 and 30 year terms. Many lending institutions also offer 20 and 40 year fixed rate loans.

Adjustable rate terms offer an initial fixed rate of 3,5,7 or 10 years. Once the first term is up the interest rate will adjust to whatever the current market rate is at. Depending on the terms of the loan the interest will continue to adjust at set periods of time as was agreed upon in the loan terms.

Another factor that will help determine your monthly payment and in some cases the interest rate is the size of the down payment. Most lenders want a down payment of at least 20% of the total value of the home being bought. This allows the new homeowner the opportunity to get into a home with a certain amount of equity already there and avoids the mortgage insurance for all loans that don't meet the 20% requirement.

This doesn't mean that you have to have a 20% down payment as many lenders will help prospective homeowners get a loan with a smaller down payment, but there can be additional fees, a higher interest rate, and the aforementioned mortgage insurance that will raise the monthly payment.

When you are getting ready to sign the final contracts be sure to read through everything carefully. There could be clauses, stipulations, and hidden fees that weren't considered during the review process before closing. There are two clauses that you need to wary of; a balloon payment at the end of the term and any "pre-payment penalties" that may occur if the mortgage is paid off early.

Financing a manufactured home is much the same as financing a conventionally built home. The same considerations need to be made during the loan process to ensure that the mortgage fits your financial needs.


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What Is a Manufactured Home ?

Factory Built Housing Definitions

Many types of structures are built in the factory and designed for long-term residential use. In the case of manufactured and modular homes, units are built in a factory, transported to the site and installed. In panelized and pre-cut homes, essentially flat sub assemblies (factory-built panels or factory-cut building materials) are transported to the site and assembled. The different types of factory-built housing can be summarized as follows:

Manufactured Homes:

These are homes built entirely in the factory, transported to the site, and installed under a federal building code administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (commonly known as the HUD Code) went into effect June 15, 1976. The federal standards regulate manufactured housing design and construction, strength and durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and quality. The HUD Code also sets performance standards for the heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal and electrical systems. It is the only federally-regulated national building code. On-site additions, such as garages, decks and porches, often add to the attractiveness of manufactured homes and must be built to local, state or regional building codes.

Modular Homes:

These factory-build homes are built to the state, local or regional code where the home will be located. Modules are transported to the site and installed.

Panelized Homes:

These are factory-built homes in which panels-a whole wall with windows, doors, wiring and outside siding-are transported to the site and assembled. The homes must meet state or local building codes where they are sited.

Pre-Cut Homes:

This is the name for factory-built housing in which building materials are factory-cut to design specifications, transported to the site and assembled. Pre-cut homes include kit, log and dome homes. These homes must meet local, state or regional building codes.

Mobile Homes:

This is the term used for manufactured homes produced prior to June 15, 1976, when the HUD Code went into effect.

Park Models/RV's:

This class of factory built living quarters are not Manufactured Homes under our definitions. These homes are not built to the HUD code or local building codes. They are not eligible for conventional or FHA/VA loans whether they are on their own lot or not.


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FHA Loans for Manufactured Homes

In these times of crisis, people need as much hope and help that they can get when it comes to their monthly bills. This is especially true for those families that need a home mortgage. Thus, they go to the Federal Housing Administration for help in their loan needs. This is especially the case for those borrowers who will be getting a loan for the very first time in their lives. There are various types of FHA loans that a borrower can avail. It all depends on the different circumstances that surround the borrower's financial situation. For those people who need to buy a prefabricated or manufactured homes, there are few good loan deals out there in the conventional lenders market. However, it is offering one of the perfect packages for this situation: the Manufactured Home Loan.

Right now, the down payment required by the FHA is 3.5 percent of the amount the house was bought in. On home loans on the other hand, the rate goes up to 21 percent and above.

One can have more luck finding a needle in a haystack than in trying to find conventional lenders who offer good deals or any deal at all for getting a loan on a manufactured home. This is because it is very easier to disassemble the house, which is why it's also sometimes called a mobile home in the past. The home that can be moved means that the borrower might be able to escape to another place. This is a liability for any lender or bank.

For those first time home buyers that need to get a manufactured or prefabricated house, low monthly mortgage payments is most likely a top priority since saving money is the focus here. And indeed, prefabricated houses are a lot cheaper than the usual house obviously. Applying for an FHA manufactured home loan is a great way to deal with this situation.

One will not need to have a spotless credit history or a perfectly high credit score in order to be accepted for FHA loans. This is the best part of the deal. Chances are, those needing a prefabricated home will not have the most perfect looking credit and conventional lenders will most likely decline them or give them high interest rates. Since the economy crashed, foreclosures have been going on everywhere. Manufactured homes are not safe from this flood of foreclosures.

Since the Authority was specifically founded to help people with bad credit and low income ranges, they do not put their primary focus on the credit score of the person borrowing money. Also, these packages have a significantly lower rate than most conventional loans available in the market.

With such low down payment and also such lenient requirements for qualification, the FHA loans may not just simply be the best option for you but it might also be the only option available for you since others have such high credit requirements.


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