FHA mortgage loans are mortgages that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government’s Federal Housing Administration. Thanks to this guarantee, FHA mortgage loans are often available to home buyers who do not qualify for “traditional” mortgages.
What is an FHA loan?
FHA loans are designed to help low to moderate income home-buyers afford a house with more lenient credit score requirements and a low down payment. With a minimum 3.5% down payment for borrowers with a credit score of 580 or higher, FHA loans are popular among first-time home buyers who have little savings or flawed credit.
The FHA insures mortgages issued by private lenders, protecting them financially in case they default. Mortgage insurance premiums are paid by the borrower.
FHA loans can be used to buy or refinance single-family houses, dwellings in one- to four-unit buildings, condominiums approved by the agency, and certain manufactured and mobile homes.
How an FHA loan is different
It’s easier to qualify for an FHA loan than for a conventional loan, which is a mortgage that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government. An FHA loan allows for lower credit scores and, in some cases, lower monthly mortgage insurance payments. FHA rules are more liberal regarding gifts of down payment money from family, employers and charitable organizations. Closing costs and mortgage rates are often lower for FHA loans.
FHA loan eligibility and requirements
It’s easier to qualify for an FHA loan than for a conventional loan. Here’s a summary of FHA eligibility standards:
- Credit score. If your credit score is 500 or higher, you may qualify for an FHA loan. Minimum credit score on conventional mortgages is 620 but can vary by loan program and lender.
- Minimum down payment. The minimum down payment on an FHA loan is 3.5% if your credit score is 580 or higher. The minimum down payment is 10% with a credit score of 500 to 579.
- Loan limits. The maximum FHA loan size depends on where the home is. The limit is lower in the least expensive housing markets and higher in the most expensive housing markets.
- Debt-to-income ratios. With both FHA and conventional mortgages, your total monthly debt payments can be up to 50% of your pretax income.
- Mortgage insurance. FHA mortgage insurance cannot be canceled if you made a down payment of less than 10%, while private mortgage insurance on conventional loans can be canceled after you have accumulated sufficient home equity.
- Foreclosure. You can’t have a foreclosure or have given up your property’s deed in lieu of foreclosure within the past three years. There are exceptions for extenuating circumstances such as serious illness or the death of a wage earner.
Other requirements
Getting an FHA loan means meeting a few more requirements:
- You will need a valid Social Security number.
- You will have to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, evidence of legal permanent residency or eligibility to work in the United States.
- You’ll need to be old enough to sign a mortgage under your state’s borrowing laws.
Is an FHA loan right for you?
Conventional mortgages require credit scores of 620 or higher. So if your credit score is lower than 620, an FHA loan might be your only option.
Even if your credit score is 620 or higher, an FHA loan might give you lower monthly payments than a conventional mortgage with private mortgage insurance. Specifically:
- FHA costs less per month than PMI if your credit score is less than 720, according to the Urban Institute.
- PMI costs less per month if your credit score is 720 or higher.
FHA loans have a couple of other advantages over conventional loans: FHA loans often have lower closing costs, and FHA interest rates are competitive. They’re often lower than conventional loan rates.
An FHA-insured loan is not the only low-down-payment mortgage. If you are serving or have served in the military, you may qualify for a loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. A VA loan requires no down payment. And if the home is in an area that is designated rural by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you may be eligible for a USDA loan, which also requires no down payment.
