Major Changes Brewing at FHA

By
Real Estate Agent with Pam Winterbauer Real Estate

On Friday, Jan. 15 NAR sources in Washington D.C. indicated that FHA is about to announce the following changes to its purchase finance programs.

Borrower Issues:

  • Borrowers will be unable to finance upfront premiums;
  • Seller concessions will be reduced from 6% to, possibly, 3%;
  • Borrowers must have a minimum FICO score and their maximum loan-to-value ratio may be impacted by their FICO score; and
  • Mortgage Insurance Premiums may be raised from their current 1.75% level.

Lender Issues: While the final lender eligibility rule has not been published, NAR is reporting the following proposed changes for FHA lenders:

  • Increasing net worth requirements of lenders to $2.5 million over the next 3 years;
  • 20% of lender net worth must be liquid assets; and
  • Increased default monitoring by lender underwriters.

FHA will also be changing its risk management procedures; creating a lender scorecard and highlighting poor performing lenders on their website and in press releases. For more information please visit the NAR website by clicking here.

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Comments (2)

Ed Silva
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

The adage about closing the barn door after the horses get out is so appropriate here. Tighten it up so much so that only perfect scores from well funded people will qualify. Of all of those the only one I would agree with is the reduction in seller concessions. If they can't afford to buy the house and have no reserves then continue to rent or buy something cheaper.

Jan 19, 2010 10:55 PM
Cari Anderson
Danville, CA

Pam: the UFMIP is going up to 2.25% as of all case #s pulled after 4/5. I have not heard anything about the UFMIP not being financed any longer. I have read everything HUD puts out regarding the changes and did not see anything regarding this. That would be very bad as I have not had any FHA borrowers that would have been able to put up the money at closing. With the max seller credits going down to 3% it would be even tougher.

Mar 19, 2010 08:54 AM