FHA mortgages have a reputation as being the way to go for first-time home buyers with little money to put down.In fact, FHA mortgages are that but they are also much more and the FHA mortgage program is not just for the first time buyers. Learn about FHA mortgages to see if there is a place where you might fit into the FHA loan program.
The FHA Mortgage Program
The FHA mortgage program was developed to help more Americans be home owners; it was not specifically designed as a path to home ownership strictly for the young, but by default at times it has effectively been that because younger people are statistically more likely to have little savings and credit history. In the world of traditional home financing, this would either set such a person up for denial or for unfavorable home loan terms.
It is well known that having a limited credit history and/or little money down usually equates to higher interest rates. But with the backing of the FHA loan program, a person-young or old-with good but possibly limited credit and little to put down on a home can fare very well.
With FHA mortgages the FHA mortgage funding is insured by the federal government.This makes it less risky for the lender to lose in the end because that lender will recoup any loss from the government.This means that the FHA lender does not have to try to cover potential losses ahead of time, and so they can offer the terms on the loan that the credit rating and income of the borrower
would dictate.
Types Of FHA Mortgage Programs
FHA mortgage programs exist in the same forms that most home loans do.
Terms may vary according to length like a normal mortgage does (10, 15, 30 year) and by rate amount and type (fixed, adjustable).
The rates and limits set on FHA mortgages are varied according to location; the FHA does set limits on the size of a loan, and these are determined based on where the home is. There are also a few limits set on the condition of the home and so on, but the FHA is fairly liberal and most types of homes, including condominiums and manufactured homes, can qualify for an FHA mortgage.
In addition to the FHA mortgage programs offered for purchases, there are also options for FHA refinancing. These apply mostly to current FHA mortgage holders, allowing them to refinance FHA loans into more favorable terms. However, there are provisions for older home owners which allow them to take advantage of FHA refinancing to secure reverse mortgages which help pay expenses in retirement; for this FHArefinancing option, the home does not need to be currently financed with an FHA mortgage.
There is a lot of FHA loan information available to potential borrowers and people interested in FHA refinancing. To get the most accurate and updated FHA loan information (because FHA mortgage programs and guidelines can change from year to year), talk to an expert with a long history of dealing in FHA mortgage programs. An FHA expert will have the FHA loan information you need, and the expertise to work within the guidelines of the FHA to get you into a low-cost FHA mortgage.