hud 40001: Divorce and FHA Loan Applications
- 11/13/16 10:21 PM
FICO scores, debt-to-income ratios, and credit history aren't the only things that can factor in when the lender is gathering data from your FHA mortgage loan application. Borrowers who are divorced may experience additional requests from the lender for paperwork or supporting documentation. We get questions about issues like these quite frequently. Here's one recent example from the comments section: "Legally divorced in SC for close to seven years. There was no alimony, no children, and bills were split. The underwriters for an FHA re-finance are demanding a copy of the Separate Maintenance and Property agreement filed at the time of separation, a (1 comments)
hud 40001: High Voltage Lines and FHA Loans
- 11/04/16 06:03 AM
A reader asked a question recently about high voltage transmission lines and the FHA loan rules that address them in relation to the property to be purchased with an FHA mortgage. "I am looking to find info regarding High Voltage Transmission Lines. I know that in 4150.2 that it clearly states that the dwelling or other improvements can not be within the “fall zone”. However I am not locating this info in more updated references. Can you help with me finding this info?" FHA loan rules were updated in HUD 4000.1, and have since replaced many older references. According to the FHA/HUD official (4 comments)
hud 40001: Residency And Occupancy: FHA Loan Rules
- 10/16/16 06:07 AM
FHA loan rules have requirements for both U.S. residency for potential borrowers, and occupancy for approved borrowers. Did you know that HUD 4000.1 states that an FHA loan applicant does not have to be a U.S. citizen in order to apply for an FHA mortgage or refinance loan? U.S. citizenship is not required, but legal documentation showing the applicant's status will be a condition of loan approval. The FHA loan program is open to both non-permanent resident aliens and lawful permanent resident aliens. The FHA loan rules also instruct the lender, "Non-U.S. citizens without lawful residency in the U.S. are not eligible (1 comments)
hud 40001: FHA Loans & Appraisal Rules: A Reader Question
- 08/26/16 01:42 AM
A reader asks, "I have been told by my realtor and the lender that an appraisal on a house I own will be on record for 180 days. They said that the appraised value will be on record and no other FHA appraisal can be made during this 180 day period. Is there a master list that other lenders and appraisers cross reference during this six month period? My reading of your blog indicates that if another FHA buyer makes an offer on my property. a different appraisal would need to be performed." HUD 4000.1 does indeed contain language that leads one (2 comments)
hud 40001: FHA Loan Rules For Overtime Income
- 08/18/16 11:07 PM
A reader asks, "Can I use my current overtime income if I’ve been working at this company 20 months but my previous company I also had overtime which I worked there for 1 year and my previous before that I worked for 4 years with overtime?" FHA loan rules require the loan officer to verify income that will be used toward calculating the borrower's debt-to-income ratio. Only verifiable income can be used, which means the lender must determine that the income is stable, reliable, and likely to continue. Income from a variety of sources may be considered. Some FHA loan applicants have seasonal (1 comments)
hud 40001: FHA Loans And Personal Data
- 08/05/16 01:26 AM
A reader asks, "Must income verification documents include sensitive information, such as account numbers, full SS# and bank account number(s). Can verification be made with sensitive information being Blacked-Out or omitted, as to not expose ones self to possible criminality?" FHA loan rules require the lender to verify personal information including Social Security Numbers, bank account numbers, credit reports, etc. So the lender will definitely be required to have that information at the bank's disposal to verify not only the identity of the borrower, but also the sources of down payment funds and other money as governed by HUD 4000.1. HUD 4000.1, page (0 comments)
hud 40001: FHA Loan Questions: Paying Fees
- 04/10/16 10:55 PM
A reader asks, "Is their costs in an FHA loan the the seller has to pay for the buyer, and if so what are those costs?" FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 permit "interested parties" to contribute a certain amount towards approved expenses of an FHA mortgage loan for a new purchase. The rules for these contributions are found starting on page 220, which has both a definition of the phrase, and the types of costs these parties may contribute. "Interested Parties refer to sellers, real estate agents, builders, developers or other parties with an interest in the transaction. Interested Party Contribution (0 comments)
hud 40001: FHA Loan Questions: Mixed Use Property
- 03/29/16 11:10 PM
We answer many questions about FHA home loans in the comments section. Here's one of the most recent, on the subject of mixed-use properties, co-borrowing, and more: "My sister and I want to buy a house that is 1/2 apartment, 1/2 store. I already own a home and have an 820 credit score. She has a 620 score, and would be the owner occupant. I am married. Does my husbands income affect the debt to income ratio? If not, am I only calculated as responsible for 1/2 of our mortgage payment each month?" There are several issues that can affect the answers (1 comments)
hud 40001: FHA Loans And Your Credit Report: HUD 4000.1 Guidelines
- 03/10/16 11:06 PM
We get many questions about FHA loan credit standards. Some examples: "I have a charge-off on my credit report. Am I still eligible for an FHA mortgage?" "My credit reports show some missed payments on student loans. Will this affect my ability to get an FHA mortgage?" These are definitely questions worth asking long before you start the house hunting process. Some borrowers are concerned with FICO score issues, others may have disputed accounts, or collection actions on their credit record. These things can worry a future home loan applicant, and with good reason--some credit issues are a barrier to loan approval, (0 comments)
hud 40001: Why Use An FHA Loan Mortgage Calculator?
- 02/04/16 11:22 PM
When you are planning your home loan, there are many aspects to consider. The selling price of the home is only one of those aspect; borrowers will need to save money for closing costs, a home inspection, and make a monthly budget for the mortgage amount, plus taxes and insurance. Some of the planning phase of your FHA mortgage involve things like requesting copies of your credit reports--things with concrete numbers such as FICO scores and payment amounts. But when it comes to figuring out your mortgage payment, arriving at the actual number can be a bit tricky. That's one reason why it's (2 comments)
hud 40001: FHA Mortgage Loan Limits For New Purchase Loans And Refinance Loans
- 01/28/16 09:33 PM
We've gotten some questions recently about FHA mortgage loan amounts, so it seemed like a good time to post the FHA loan rules found in HUD 4000.1 about how maximum loan amounts are calculated. There are FHA loan guaranty limits and FHA mortgage loan amounts--the two shouldn't be confused as FHA mortgage loan guaranty limits refer to the amount of money the FHA will guarantee for the loan, whereas the maximum loan amount is the highest amount for a specific transaction that the lender/FHA loan rules will allow. FHA loan rules say the maximum can be affected by the type of transaction. You (0 comments)
hud 40001: HUD 4000.1 On Appraisal Expiration Dates
- 12/14/15 11:39 AM
Ever since the FHA and HUD published the new FHA single-family mortgage loan rule book, HUD 4000.1, we've been examining important sections of the rules to see what current FHA mortgage loan policy is; FHA and HUD announced there would be no comparison document outlining the myriad of changes from the old guidelines to new and that it was the reader's responsibility to learn what current policy might be for any given FHA loan topic. With that in mind we started reviewing HUD 4000.1 and discussing important issues. One such issue is the FHA's rules on appraisal expiration dates. FHA appraisals are (1 comments)
hud 40001: FHA Home Loans For Existing Properties: Weatherization
- 12/07/15 08:45 PM
Did you know that in certain cases, FHA single-family home loan rules in HUD 4000.1 permit the borrower to add funds to weatherize an existing construction home being purchased with an FHA mortgage? According to HUD 4000.1: "The weatherization product permits the Borrower to finance the cost of eligible energy-related weatherization improvements, in conjunction with a purchase or refinance." This is separate from an FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) though that can also be included in the loan for qualified borrowers. From HUD 4000.1: "Weatherization improvements may be financed in conjunction with the following: --Section 203(b) purchase transaction (or) no cash-out refinance transaction --Section 203(h) (0 comments)
hud 40001: CFPB: Home Loan Changes Coming In October
- 09/27/15 11:16 PM
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a government agency designed to help consumers and protect their interests against fraud and unfair practices. CFPB issued a statement recently about new federal guidelines that will affect the mortgage lending process, making it easier for borrowers to understand the transaction. The agency has announced that starting October 3, 2015, those who apply for "most mortgages" on or after that date, "the stress of shopping for a mortgage will be reduced, as our new mortgage disclosure rule takes effect. The new rule and disclosures ease the process of taking out a mortgage, helping you save (0 comments)
hud 40001: HUD 4000.1 Takes Effect Monday September 14 2015
- 09/13/15 06:13 AM
Monday September 14, 2015, the new FHA Single Family Home Loan Policy Handbook takes effect. It's called HUD 4000.1 and is now the reference for all FHA single family home loans. Up to now, certain parts of the handbook have been in effect, while other portions were printed but not effective until today's launch date. A variety of policies have been superseded by the new guidebook, while others have been reproduced and ported over. The new Single Family Policy Handbook is broken down into five basic sections, and there is an FHA/HUD FAQ preview page that answers the most common questions about the new (3 comments)
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Bruce Reichstein
FHA / VA One-Time Close Construction to Perm Loans