What it is
FHA loans exist to make homeownership reachable for working households. The federal insurance behind them is what lets lenders extend credit on terms a conventional loan would not offer.
You can qualify with a credit score as low as 580 with 3.5% down, or as low as 500 with 10% down. FHA also allows higher debt-to-income ratios than most conventional programs.
The trade-off is mortgage insurance. FHA charges an upfront premium of 1.75% of the base loan amount, normally financed into the loan, plus an annual premium collected monthly. That annual premium does not cancel at 80% or 78% loan-to-value the way conventional PMI does. Under HUD Mortgagee Letter 13-04, a loan with a term longer than 15 years carries it for the life of the loan when loan-to-value at origination was above 90%, and for 11 years when it was 90% or less. Even at 20% down, an FHA loan pays the upfront premium and 11 years of annual premium. Borrowers who want out of it generally refinance into a conventional loan.
Who it fits
- First-time homebuyers with limited savings
- Buyers with credit scores between 580 and 700
- Borrowers who need flexible debt-to-income guidelines
- Borrowers who experienced a past bankruptcy or short sale
How it runs
- 1Confirm EligibilityWe review income, credit, and whether the property meets FHA requirements.
- 2Get Pre-ApprovedA written pre-approval, based on verified income, assets, and credit, shows sellers you can perform.
- 3FHA AppraisalAn FHA-assigned appraiser sets value and confirms the property meets minimum property standards.
- 4CloseFHA purchases commonly close in 25 to 35 days from contract.
Questions
What is MIP?
FHA loans carry two mortgage insurance premiums. The upfront premium is 1.75% of the base loan amount and is normally financed into the loan. The annual premium is collected monthly and is set by loan term, loan amount, and loan-to-value at origination.
Can I remove MIP later?
Not the way conventional PMI cancels. Under HUD Mortgagee Letter 13-04, on a term longer than 15 years the annual premium runs for the life of the loan when loan-to-value at origination was above 90%, and for 11 years when it was 90% or less. Paying the balance down does not end it. The usual way out is refinancing into a conventional loan.
Are FHA loan limits different?
Yes. FHA sets its own county limits, which are generally lower than the conforming limits. Check the limit for your county before assuming a price range fits.
Does 20% down make an FHA loan insurance-free?
No. An FHA loan with 20% down still pays the 1.75% upfront premium and 11 years of annual premium. If avoiding mortgage insurance is the goal at that down payment, a conventional loan is the program to compare against.
Other programmes
Fixed Rate Mortgage
A predictable rate and payment for the life of the loan.
VA Home Loan
$0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance, reusable entitlement.
Rehab Loan
Finance the purchase and renovation of a home in a single mortgage.
USDA Loan
0% down loans for eligible rural and suburban homes.
Jumbo Home Loan
Financing for homes priced above the conforming loan limit.
First Time Home Buyer
Programs and guidance built for buyers purchasing their first home.