Q: What are the basic eligibility requirements for FHA financing?
A: FHA insures mortgages made by approved lenders to individuals and non-profit and government agencies that are approved to participate in HUD’s programs; HUD does not loan money to homebuyers. Generally, to be eligible for an FHA loan, you must have a valid social security number and have lawful residency in the United States and be of a legal age to sign on a mortgage in your state. Lenders will verify income, assets, liabilities, and credit history for all parties on the loan.
FHA’s mortgage programs do not typically have maximum income limits for qualifying, although you must have sufficient income to qualify for the mortgage payment and other debts. Income limits may be present when qualifying for down payment assistance or other secondary financing programs (including those funded by HUD) that may be used in conjunction with an FHA loan. Using FHA guidelines, lenders will make a credit determination based on the merits of each case. To find out if you qualify, and how much you can borrow based on your income and debts, you should contact a FHA approved lender.
Q: What is the minimum downpayment requirement for FHA?
A: Generally, the borrower must make a cash investment of at least 3.5 percent of the contract sales price as required by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Detailed instructions for determining the minimum investment for an FHA insured mortgage are available in Handbook 4155.1. This downpayment amount may be gifted or employer sponsored.
For additional information on FHA mortgages go to: http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/topics/buying_a_home
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