You’ve probably heard the term “FHA loans” before, but many people don’t actually know what this entails, or if they should be avoided. FHA loans are frequently advertised as the ideal mortgage lending for first-time buyers.
FHA loans, without a doubt, have some advantages over traditional mortgage loans. You can put down as little as 3.5 percent of the purchasing price. If your credit rating is less than ideal, then you have a much better chance of being accepted for an FHA loan.
However, you should be aware that there are certain downsides to FHA loans, which we’re going to take a look at in this article.
Why Would Someone Need An FHA Loan?
As mentioned above, there are many disadvantages to getting an FHA loan, which we are going to take a look at in this article.
However, it’s important to note that FHA loans aren’t always bad, and they can be a good decision for some people in certain situations.
Amongst the most significant advantages of having an FHA loan seems to be that your deposit is reduced.
A typical mortgage loan (not something that is subsidized by the government) will almost certainly require a down payment of at least 5% of the sales price. Some lenders even require a down payment of at least 10%.
However, with an FHA house loan, you can pay as little as 3.5 percent of the loan. Effective from the year 2011, a credit rating of 580 or better will be required to qualify for the 3.5 percent down-payment option.
If your credit score is less than 580, you will be asked to put down at least 10% for an FHA loan. However, for individuals who meet the credit score requirements, the lower down payment is a significant advantage of getting an FHA loan.
If you have a less-than-ideal credit rating, then it’s also simpler to apply for an FHA loan. A credit score of 620 or better is usually required to obtain a standard mortgage loan.
However, if you use an FHA loan, you may be able to qualify with a somewhat lower score. They just do not qualify for a traditional mortgage due to their credit score, so they resorted to the FHA program.
What Makes FHA Loans So Bad?
So, now that we’ve explored the possible advantages of FHA loans, it’s time to take a look at a few of the downsides. Here are some of the disadvantages of getting an FHA home loan to purchase a property.
Increased Interest Rates
You will almost certainly be charged a greater rate of interest than if you would have used a traditional mortgage.
Your credit rating and other criteria may also have an impact on the rate you get offered. However, the idea that you’ll be using an FHA loan typically indicates you’ll have to pay more interest.
More Premiums
On an FHA loan, customers will be required to pay mortgage insurance. In reality, if you are using an FHA loan, you must pay two types of mortgage insurance.
There will be an early payment fee of 1% of the loan amount, and also a yearly fee of 1.15% – 1.155% of the amount borrowed (these were increased in April 2011).
The advance payment is made when you officially sell the home, as the term indicates. The yearly fee is divided into monthly payments and added to your housing loan.
If you’re using a traditional mortgage loan with less than a 20% down payment, you will also have to pay mortgage insurance. However, FHA loan costs are often higher than conventional mortgage premiums. This is just another drawback of the FHA home financing scheme.
Condo Restrictions
Some condos fail to meet FHA approval requirements. The FHA is highly particular about the kind of condos it will authorize for housing loans. As a result, when you choose this funding source, your alternatives may be limited.
Condo rules constantly change, we’re not going to explore every single one in this article. However, if you Research “FHA regulations for condos,” you should be able to obtain the most up-to-date information on the Government website.
If There’s More Than One Offer
If there are multiple bids on the same house, an FHA loan may be unfavorable, especially if one of the other potential buyers is applying for a conventional mortgage loan.
If a landlord receives equal bids from buyers with conventional mortgage loans, he may opt for the conventional loan over the FHA borrower.
This is somewhat due simply to the archaic and unfair prejudice that unfortunately still exists in the real estate sector. If an FHA loan has been used, homeowners are frequently obliged to pay a considerable amount of the purchasers’ closing fees.
This is not always the case nowadays. Today, the FHA permits the buyer to fund practically all of their own closing fees. The buyer may still try to bargain for the seller to reimburse those expenditures, but the FHA does not demand it.
In general, the house assessment criteria for FHA loans are much more stringent than those of other regular mortgages. In truth, traditional mortgages do not require an examination; it is entirely up to the buyer.
With an FHA loan, however, the inspection will be required (and likely more comprehensive). When dealing with the government, additional red tape is involved. Sellers have been known to avoid borrowers with FHA home loans for these reasons.
Is An FHA Loan Worth It?
To answer this question, simply start by asking yourself if the perks of an FHA home loan exceed the program’s possible drawbacks.
If you are unable to come up with a 10% down payment, the FHA program may be the best alternative for you. In such a situation, you’d just have to accept the downsides.
As previously stated, there may be no downsides to using an FHA loan. If you live in a slow economy where homes sit on the market for some time, you can have no trouble convincing the seller to accept your offer – regardless of the sort of loan you select.
