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What's with the Kinder, Gentler FHA Loan?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Escrowcoord.com

TerrorAm I missing something here?

 I work in an area that up till now rarely dealt with FHA loans due to the high home sales prices and low FHA loan caps.

 I just started working on a pending sale transaction where the buyer is going with an FHA loan. Horror of Horrors! My first thought was to load up extra heavy on the old Prozac until the transaction fell apart, then finish up with heavy drinking and deep resentment.

 But wait! Something has changed here since my last FHA transaction (about 7 years ago).

 When I called the loan officer and asked him if the seller still has to complete section 1 AND section 2 items on the termite report, he said "No, they don't require that anymore. Just whatever the buyers and sellers agree to."  EXCUSE ME?!!!

 Then I asked him if the appraisers still take forever to schedule the appraisal appointment, then do they perform a home inspection on the property and call safety issues that the seller has to fix (the appraiser would go out a second time to verify the repairs had  been made). He said, "No, they don't really do that anymore either."  HUUHHH?

 So I asked, "Well, what is it FHAis GOING to want from the seller? There's got to be something! An inspection of the attic, the seller's first born son, something!"  And he says, "Ummm, not really-FHA has loosened up their criteria so buyer's who get this kind of loan are just as attractive to a seller as a conventional loan buyer." WHAT THE....?

 So here's my worry (I guess I don't trust the government to make anything easy), NO ONE on this transaction has much experience with FHA loans. The loan officer has one FHA transaction under his belt in the last 6 months.

 I was trying to look up FHA loanson the Internet and I'm just not finding the snag... The "Yeah but...," or the "Oh we forgot to tell you..." information that is going to tank this transaction or at the very least, give me a migraine and more gray hair!

 Could it be true that this is going to be a hassle-free transaction?  So far the appraisal and termite have been completed and there are no unusual repair requests from FHA. The buyers are contracted to have loan approval in another week. Then we close in another 30 days.

 Is there anybody out there in Real Estate land who can share their recent FHA experience with me?

 I hate to be a pessimist, but I want to make sure I'm prepared for any potential ensuing disaster. In the meantime, I'll keep y'all updated on my FHA transaction experience!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acai Berry Select
Acai Berry Select - Downers Grove, IL

I am working on a FHA deal now. Its going a lot better than many of the other conventional deals. Since a lot of the PMI companies are not following the Fannie Mae lead (not insuring). FHA I think will be a big player in this market. FHA will be the new conventional since they are really the only one to insure loans in this market. (my local market anyway)

 

Peter

May 28, 2008 08:05 AM
Diana Turnbloom
Escrowcoord.com - Martinez, CA
The Leading Expert in TC Services & Education

Hey Peter, thanks for the feedback! Have you got loan approval yet on your deal? Was the approval time frame any longer than usual? Were there any weird conditions FHA wanted prior to docs? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

May 29, 2008 05:48 AM
Kevin McGourty
Realty ONE Group - Phoenix, AZ

No answers here, but enjoyed your blog.

May 29, 2008 06:20 AM
Diana Turnbloom
Escrowcoord.com - Martinez, CA
The Leading Expert in TC Services & Education

Thanks Kevin! Hope you are having a great day! My good news today is that hits on the webinar page of my website quadrupled in the last week! Now, I have to figure out why???!!!!

May 29, 2008 06:34 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

doing an FHA loan in MASS.  I am the buyer not an agent....came to your site cuz I googled "does FHA loan require a pest/termite inspection"  I am setting up my home inspection before the close comes and wanted to know if the home inspector I hire would have to do a seperate pest/termite inspection.....I guess FHA no longer requires it...I hope.

Jul 15, 2008 12:44 AM
#5
Diana Turnbloom
Escrowcoord.com - Martinez, CA
The Leading Expert in TC Services & Education

Hey, thanks for visiting my blog! I'm not sure if FHA requires a termite inspection or not?

You will want to check with your loan officer to find out. He/She will be able to quickly answer that question for you.

On a side note however, please reconsider getting a separate termite inspection even if FHA does not require it. You want to be fully disclosed of any possible critters hanging around the house even if you choose not to do anything about it! Believe me, it's worth it!

Jul 15, 2008 03:10 AM
Anonymous
Matthew

I came across your blog as I'm trying to find the answer to the Does FHA require Termite Removal?

 

My story is, I called a lender (recommended by a friend) we talked about loans, my situation put me in FHA territory, covered the financials and when I told him about my 401K, he apologized that it was after 3:30 and would be tough to get an Approval letter before the end of the day.  I WAS SHOCKED it was that easy.

Anyway, I've now found a house, signed the contract, and out pops a Termite Inspection from the selling agent.  Not to bad, some minor stuff, with an Estimate of $1120.

I don't mind doing it if really needed, but I don't want to do it before I actually OWN the house.  But from what I'm seeing at the moment I wont have to for FHA to close on the loan.

PS. I'm buying a Foreclosure in San Diego County!!!!

 

I'm Stoked that I will finally own a house, when a year ago I expected that I would NEVER be able to buy a house.

Oct 16, 2008 01:46 PM
#7
Anonymous
Diana Turnbloom

Hey Matthew! Congratulations on your purchase! If the termite inspection has not been incorporated into the contract, then NO the work does not need to be completed prior to close! San Diego is a great community to buy in! I wish you the best of luck!

Oct 17, 2008 04:10 AM
#8
Anonymous
lovel

Arizona termite removal  is necessary for a clean place. People love clean places. They enjoy staying in a pest-free place.

Jun 18, 2009 03:51 AM
#9