FHA – Federal Housing Administration
- Most commonly used by first time home buyers
- Don’t have to be a first time home buyer to qualify
- Several “move-up” buyers use this loan because it allows for high debt ratios
- Condos need to be FHA approved
- FHA condo approval website: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm
- Use this website to see if your condo HOA is FHA approved
Max loan amount
– 420,680
Down Payment
– 3.5% minimum
Credit Score needed
– 600+ (can do a manual underwrite down to 580)
- Rates are much better with a 640+ score
Mortgage insurance
– required at all LTV’s on a 30 year loan
- Payable for 30 years with less than 10% down
- Payable for 11 years with 10% or more down
Occupancy
– primary residence only
Seller paids allowed
– 6%
Conventional
- Typically used by those with more money down and better credit
- Can be used by first time home buyers
- Tighter credit guidelines and debt to income ratios
- More lenient on appraisals
- Minimum credit score is 620
Max loan amount
Down Payment
Primary – minimum is either 3% or 5% down
2nd home – 10% down
Investment – 15% down (if you have a 740 or higher score)
- 20% down (if your score is 739 or less)
- 25% down (if 2-4 unit)
Credit Score
– 620+ (rates and MI are higher with lower credit scores)
Mortgage insurance
– required on LTV’s greater than 80%
Occupancy
– primary, 2nd home, investment
Seller paids
Primary and 2nd home:
- 5% – 9.99% down = 3%
- 10% – 24.99% down = 6%
- 25%+ down = 9%
Investment property
VA
- Have to be a vet and have a certificate of eligibility
- Very good program if you can qualify
- Need forms:
- COE (certificate of eligibility)
- DD2-14
- Condos have to be VA approved
- Condo approval website: https://vip.vba.va.gov/portal/VBAH/VBAHome/condopudsearch
- Use this website to see if your condo is VA approved
Down payment
– 0%
Credit Score needed
– 600+ (can do a manual underwrite down to 580)
Mortgage insurance
– none (the government pays for this)
Note – The VA charges a funding fee that can be rolled into the loan
Occupancy
– primary residence only
Seller paids
– 4%
USDA
- Rural development program
- Map to see if your property is eligible for this loan program:
- Good program but have to be buying a house that is in an eligible area
- Can’t finance farms or properties with a high number out-buildings and/or tillable land on the lot
- Must be underwritten twice: lender and USDA office
- Has income limit – check website and look up limit for specific county
- Borrower CANNOT own any other properties when they close on this loan
Down Payment
– 0%
Credit Score Needed
– 620 (can do a manual underwrite down to 580)
Mortgage Insurance
– .35 annually (which is cheap)
- They also charge an upfront funding fee of 1.0% which is rolled into the loan amount
Occupancy
– primary only
Seller paids
– 6%
Specialty Programs
- MHFA – down payment assistance through the state
- Same Guidelines as FHA, Conv, or VA. Max DTI of 45-50%.
- Minimum credit score is 640 to 650
- Borrower needs at least $1,000 out of their own pocket into the deal
- Income limits apply – Varies by county & household size.
- Max purchase price limits apply
- Start-Up program (First Time Buyers)
- 11 County Metro- $340,000
- Balance of State- $294.600
- Step-Up program
- 11 County Metro- $402,500 (1 Unit) $515,250 (2 Unit)
- Balance of State- $356,362 (1 Unit) $456,275 (2 Unit)
- Down payment assistance available is 5% of the purchase price with a max amount of:
- Deferred DPA – Up to – $11,000 or $15,000 with Deferred payment plus program (More restrictions)
- Monthly DPA – Up to $17,000 (10 year amortization)
- FHA 203k – rehab loan through FHA
- Homepath – discontinued as of 11/1/14. Replaced with HomeReady.
- FNMA HomeReady – 3.00% down conventional loan (has income limit)
- Freddie Home Possible – 3.00% down conventional loan (has income limit)
- Fannie Standard 3.0% down – this is the third 3.00% down conventional loan and does not have an income limit, but you have to be a first time home buyer
Loans with Income limits
- USDA
- All MHFA loans
- Two of the three 3% conventional loans have income limits
- Home Ready – DU
- Home Possible – LP