Federal Housing Administration
When you hear talk about First Time Homebuyer program they are generally talking about a “FHA Loan”. These are loans that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration.Loan and Mortgage for simplicity will be considered interchangeable (same thing). Presently, the maximum FHA loan limit for 2021 is $402,500 for a Single Family Home (subject to county – ask Google “FHA loan limit for your county”). The loan limit does change annually. This loan is geared to first time homebuyer with a middle credit score down to 580 and upwards for a 96.5% loan to value of the purchase price. The seller can contribute up to 6% of the purchase price towards closing costs only. The buyer can have a Non-Occupant borrower co-sign on the loan for the purpose of helping the buyer to qualify. There is a higher threshold for the DTI above 46% versus that of the conventional loan. These loans can be used to purchase, refinance for a better rate or term or refinance for cash out on a primary home. Property types include houses, townhouses, villas, condos, and manufactured homes.
You may also elect to get pre-approved for a loan which requires verification of your income, credit, assets and liabilities. It is recommended that you get pre-approved before you start looking for your new house so you:
FHA VS ConventionalItems Requested (Not All will Apply to you)
- Pay Stubs for the last 30 days with year to date
- Social Security Awards Letter
- Disability Awards Letter
- Pension Benefits Letter
- 2019 & 2020 W2s
- 2019 & 2020 1099s (if applicable)
- 2019 & 2020 Complete Personal Tax Returns including all Schedules, K1s and etc attached
- IF SELF EMPLOYED – 2019 & 2020 Complete Business Tax Returns including all Schedules
- Copy of Bankruptcy Chapter 7 or 13 application including list of creditors (ALL PAGES)
- Discharge Letter of Chapter 7 or 13 Bankruptcy
- Divorce Decree including all pages
- Court documentation for Child Support if child(ren) are under 18 years of age
- Last 2 months of statements for Monthly Accounts such as checking, savings, CD, brokerage, Profit Sharing, Mutual Funds, etc. (all numbered pages required)
Most recent statement for Quarterly Accounts such as 401K, 509b, IRA, Roth IRA, retirement accounts, etc. (all numbered pages required) - Copy of Driver’s License
- Copy of Social Security Card
- For any Foreclosure please provide the following information:
- Subject property complete address
- The mortgage company name
- When it was foreclosed
- Do you know if the property was sold? (yes, no)
- If yes, what date was it sold?