Terry Edwards asked:




Are you considering an FHA reverse mortgage loan on your home? While there are many advantages to these types of loans, there are also some things you must know before moving forward with this loan.

FHA stands for the Federal Housing Administration, which is a branch within the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In order to qualify for this mortgage program, their are certain requirements the FHA has set. One of those is that the homeowner must be at least 62 years of age, or older. The FHA also provides insurance which makes the loan program less expensive for the borrowers then similar reverse mortgage programs offered by private lenders and smaller institutions.

The only other requirement the FHA ask of you, other than being 62 years of age or older, is that you have equity in your home and little debt or mortgage against it. There is no other restrictions, required credit ratings, level of income or any other assets needed. If you are approved for an FHA reverse mortgage loan you can receive your loan in one of three options. You can take it all in one lump payment, in monthly installments for a fixed term, or indefinite term as a line of credit against the loan.

An FHA loan is paid off either when the homeowner passes away, moves out of the home, or sells the property. Then, HUD collects the proceeds from the sales. If those proceeds exceed the loan, then the difference is either awarded to the homeowner, if he is alive, or to the homeowner’s heirs. If the proceeds do not cover the amount of the loan, then HUD covers the difference.

The main benefit of these loans are that the homeowner is not required to make monthly payments against the loan. That is why they call it a reverse mortgage — because instead of you having to make payments each month, the leading institution is making payments to you — whether monthly, in one lump sum, or when you use it as a line of credit.

The way the amount of the loan is calculated has to do with the value of your home, the interest rates, the location of your home, as well as your age. These are some of major aspects of an FHA reverse mortgage to keep in mind.

Bradley

Maria Ny asked:




This article summarizes the differences between conventional and government loans for first-time buyers, homeowners looking for mortgage refinancing, and those looking to cash out on equity for loan consolidation, debt consolidation or home improvement through home equity loans (second mortgages).

Conventional Mortgages

o Not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Government.

o Features 0% to 20% down payment options.

o Usually fixed mortgage rates for 15 to 30 years or adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs).

o Maximum conforming limit is $417,000. Otherwise, it’s a jumbo or non-conforming conventional loan.

Government Mortgages

o Insured against default by the Federal Government, making qualification less stringent:

- FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

- VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

o FHA loans require 3% down payments and are 15 and 30 year fixed rate loans or 1 year ARMs.

o VA loans are only available to eligible veterans or surviving spouses of deceased veterans.

o No down payment required–up to 100% financing allowed.

o Maximum loan amounts for government loans are set geographically.

o Mortgage refinancing into government loans is only available to existing holders of government mortgages.

Stated Income Mortgage Loans

“Stated-income mortgages are for people who make the money they say they make, but that amount doesn’t show up on the bottom line of their income taxes,” says Hugh McLaughlin, president and CEO of KMC Mortgage Services Inc., a lender and broker in Naples, Florida. They are non-conventional loans with higher rates than conventional mortgages–borrower interest rates depend on several factors: income stability, debt-to-income ratio, credit score, down payment and property appraisal value. Stated income mortgages can be 15 or 30 year fixed rate loans or adjustable rate mortgages.

Joseph

Milt Wapner asked:




If you are looking to buy a mobile home and you have a limited amount of money to put down towards your purchase, you may want to consider a FHA mobile home loan. FHA stands for Federal Housing Administration and it’s responsible for Housing and Urban Development (also known as HUD). How does this help you? FHA insures your mortgage loan so that lenders will give you a good deal, even though you do not have a sizable down payment.

Under the FHA mobile home loan umbrella there are two types of programs. One is for people who already own land to put the mobile home on and the other is for people that choose to locate their mobile home in an established mobile home park.

When lenders consider applicants for FHA-backed mobile home loans, they must follow certain eligibility requirements. These requirements include considering the applicant’s credit rating, the income and the ability to repay the debt.

A Title 1 loan can be used to buy a mobile home, a lot on which to place a mobile home, or both. The home must be the primary residence of the person or persons obtaining the loan. There are maximum loan amounts as well as loan terms that must be adhered to, as follows. For a mobile home only, the maximum is $48,600. For a piece of land or lot, the maximum is $16,200, while the maximum for a combination of the two is $64,800. Maximum loan terms for FHA mobile home loans are: 20 years for a mobile home or a single section mobile home and lot, 15 years for a lot, and 25 years for a multi-section mobile home and lot.

Most of the time when you buy a mobile home, you will also have the opportunity to finance your purchase at the mobile home dealer in which you make your purchase. Sometimes these dealers will not offer FHA-backed loans. If they do not, ask them for a referral to a lender who will use FHA. Or you could consider finding a lender online.

To qualify for a FHA-backed mobile or manufactured home mortgage loan, you must meet some minimum criteria. You must be able to provider five percent down payment (although there are additional programs to help if you do not have this amount), proof of income and a suitable place to locate your mobile home (this may be on your own land or in a mobile home park).

Francisco