The Mortgage Report

JULY 11, 2025

Buy a Home Home-Buying Loan Types Low Down Payment Mortgages Conventional Loans VA Loans FHA Loans FHA 203k Rehab Loan USDA Loans Investment Property Mortgages Compare Home Buying Loans Home Buying Help Do I Need 20% Down? How Much Home Can I Afford?

FHA 203k rehab loan

The Mortgage Report

JULY 22, 2025

Buy a Home Home-Buying Loan Types Low Down Payment Mortgages Conventional Loans VA Loans FHA Loans FHA 203k Rehab Loan USDA Loans Investment Property Mortgages Compare Home Buying Loans Home Buying Help Do I Need 20% Down? How Much Home Can I Afford?

FHA 203k rehab loan

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Key takeaways: First-time homebuyer: Anyone who hasn’t owned a primary residence in the past three years Common first-time homebuyer qualifications: Credit score, debt-to-income ratio, down payment, income limits, employment history, purchase limits, homebuyer education Buying your first home?

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

For example, you may qualify for a hardship withdrawal to cover your down payment or closing costs. How to borrow from your 401k account to buy a house To borrow from your 401k loan to finance a down payment, youll need to talk to your employers benefits office or HR department, or with your 401k plan provider.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

If you’re wondering if you’re ready to buy a house , consider these three factors: Financial stability: If you have a low credit score, lots of debt, and not enough funds to cover a down payment and closing costs, you may want to wait to buy a home. Closing costs: Typically 2-5% of the home’s purchase price.

Pre-approval

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

While this type of loan is a good option for many real estate consumers, I believe there are several quirks all buyers should know about and understand if they are considering an FHA loan. Did you know if you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can immediately apply for an FHA loan? Happy house hunting!

Finance

Redfin

JULY 28, 2025

Low income is generally defined as being below a specific threshold of the area’s median income (AMI), which can vary by location and employment. Each loan option we’ll discuss has qualification requirements for AMI, as well as other factors like credit score and debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

VA loan

Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

Key takeaways: Your first-time home buyer benefits include down payment and closing cost assistance, grants, tax benefits, and low-interest or forgivable loans. Eligibility depends on factors like income, location, home price, and use of an approved lender. Grants Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be repaid.

Debt-to-income ratio

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

Here are some key factors that determine whether you’re ready to take on a mortgage: Credit score : Most conventional loans require a credit score of at least 620, while FHA loans may accept scores as low as 580. Income stability: Lenders typically want to see at least two years of consistent employment history.

FHA loan

Marco Santarelli

MAY 22, 2025

Your Individual Profile Matters: The rate you ultimately secure will depend on your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, and the size of your down payment. Factor in All Costs: Remember to consider other costs associated with buying a home, such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, and closing costs.

Mortgages

The Mortgage Report

JULY 16, 2025

Buy a Home Home-Buying Loan Types Low Down Payment Mortgages Conventional Loans VA Loans FHA Loans FHA 203k Rehab Loan USDA Loans Investment Property Mortgages Compare Home Buying Loans Home Buying Help Do I Need 20% Down? How Much Home Can I Afford? Check your refinance eligibility.

FHA 203k rehab loan

Housing Wire

MARCH 25, 2021

Gone are the days when you had to put 20% down to get approved for a loan to purchase a home. For example, a conventional loan lets you put as little as 3% down. An FHA loan requires as little as 3.5% With these rates, it’s a bit easier to save a down payment , while still paying down debt. And so is owning a home.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

You’ve just received the first offer on your home — and it’s backed by an FHA loan. So what do you need to know about FHA loans as a seller? Today, FHA loans represent a fair share of the mortgage market; in 2018, the FHA insured 12.1% FHA loans help make homeownership more accessible.

FHA loan

Realty Biz

MARCH 16, 2023

If qualifying for a conventional loan is difficult, and you aren't eligible for VA or USDA loans, an FHA loan could be the answer. FHA loans allow you to pay 3.5% But there are also downsides to FHA-insured loans. So is this type of loan right for you? What are FHA Loans?

FHA loan

HomeLight

OCTOBER 11, 2021

You’re getting ready to start shopping for a house, and you’re pretty certain you want to go with an FHA loan. The Federal Housing Administration backs loans with less strict credit requirements and low down payment options to help families become homeowners. How much house can you afford if you’re getting an FHA loan?

FHA loan

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

The FHA backing lets lenders offer easier credit terms than non-FHA loans. FHA loans are especially important for first-time buyers. In 2020, only about 10% of all home loans were FHA-backed, according to the agency’s annual report. But more than 80% of those FHA borrowers were first-time homebuyers.

FHA loan

Point2Homes

DECEMBER 15, 2021

Therefore, even though, as a buyer, you are taking over the seller’s loan, you will still need to prove to the lender that you’re in a financial position to make mortgage payments. Although VA loans are granted to military members and their spouses, you don’t have to be a military service member to assume a VA loan.

Debt-to-income ratio

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 24, 2024

Securing a mortgage with a less-than-perfect credit history can feel like scaling a mountain, but it's definitely achievable, especially with an FHA loan. Let's unravel the mysteries surrounding FHA credit score requirements and light your path toward homeownership. FHA loans can be secured with as little as 3.5%

FHA loan

HomeLight

JULY 7, 2022

If you can’t afford a 20% down payment on your home and apply for a conventional loan, you’ll have to have private mortgage insurance (PMI) to cover the costs, or just plain mortgage insurance for a government loan (FHA loans or VA loans , for example). PMI will typically cost between 0.5%

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2020

For example, both conventional and FHA loans offer first-time buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with only 3% down (conventional) or 3.5% down (FHA). For a buyer, overlays could drastically alter your homebuying experience and possibly disqualify you from the loan you thought you could get. down for FHA loans.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

JUNE 22, 2023

Debt-to-income ratio After looking at how much money is flowing into your household, you’ll want to write down your monthly debts. That’s because lenders will also look at your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. That number will be your debt-to-income ratio.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

Here, we’ll walk you through one of the best-known and most widely utilized tools that can help get you those keys: the FHA loan. Read on for more about these loans, the down payment assistance programs associated with them, and some different down payment assistance programs to consider when you buy your first home.

FHA loan

Marco Santarelli

MAY 27, 2024

FHA Loans: These are government-backed mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans are a great option for first-time homebuyers or those with a lower credit score. The good news is that FHA loans are typically assumable. USDA loans are designed to help finance homes in rural areas.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

JUNE 21, 2023

“A lot of times, these are first-time homebuyers who are wanting to purchase a home, but the extra $6,000 to $8,000 in closing costs can be the difference between them being able to really qualify for the home,” says Jon Baird , an agent based in Chico, California, who specializes in single-family homes. Retired teachers can apply.

Loans

HomeLight

OCTOBER 22, 2021

Debts: How much of your income is going toward monthly minimum debt payments? Examples include credit card and student loan debt and your car payment. DTI ratio: Your debt-to-income ratio is a big deal for lenders. How much can I afford with a Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loan?

Pre-qualification

HomeLight

MARCH 9, 2023

If the bill passes, the act will provide eligible homebuyers up to $25,000 cash for a down payment, closing costs, and other home-buying fees. to 10%, depending on credit score) Low closing costs Relaxed credit score requirements (500 to 620) You may have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) as a condition of an FHA loan.

Loans

Realtor.com

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Getty Images With mortgage interest rates near 7% and home prices hovering at a national median of $425,000, many homebuyers might be wondering how they’ll be able to pay for a property, and searching for ways to reduce costs. Here’s everything you need to know about USDA loans, and whether they’re right for you.

Loans

Redfin

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

From application fees to closing costs, this Redfin article will discuss everything you need to know to help make this financial decision. Personal factors include the loan terms, credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and employment history. the short answer is, “It depends.”

Mortgages

Realty Biz

MARCH 28, 2023

FHA Loans With backing from the Federal Housing Administration, an FHA loan has extremely low credit requirements and can be obtained for down payments as modest as 3.5 Additional benefits of an FHA loan include having the closing costs added to the loan so you don’t have to pay them upfront.

VA loan

HomeLight

DECEMBER 30, 2021

Because lenders carry less risk, these types of loans are a popular offer for first-time buyers who may not have a large down payment or a strong enough credit score to qualify for a conventional loan. A debt-to-income ratio under 43%. Reliable income with proof of employment. What are conventional loans?

Loans

Realtor.com

APRIL 8, 2021

Decent credit score: You must have a minimum credit score of 660 for a conventional low-income-rate loan, and a minimum credit score of 680 for a conventional standard-rate loan. Income cap: Your earnings can’t exceed CalHFA’s income limits , which are based on the specific area you are looking to buy in.

Debt-to-income ratio

Realtor.com

JANUARY 12, 2022

You can also have a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 45% for a conventional loan and 43% for an FHA loan. And always check back in with your current lender once you’ve found the best rate to see if the lender can give you an even lower rate or a discount on closing costs.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 17, 2021

FHA stands for the Federal Housing Administration , which is part of the U.S. The FHA backs mortgages to allow lenders to offer a favorable deal to homebuyers. FHA loan advantages include: Low down payments (as low as 3.5%). Have a debt-to-income ratio of less than 43% (though it can be higher in some cases).

FHA loan

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

Step 1: Save for your down payment and closing costs. Loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) require as little as 3.5% down and typically have lower credit qualification requirements than conventional loans. Sample down payments. 20% down payment. 400,000 purchase price – $80,000 down.

FHA loan

Realty Biz

MARCH 7, 2023

Your housing payments must be between forty and forty-five percent of your gross income. Undeniably, credit, reserves, and debt-to-income ratio play a significant role in your gross income and ultimately affect the process of granting you a mortgage. This isn’t a rule set in stone, and exceptions occur.

Loans

Redfin

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) The debt-to-income ratio is a key metric lenders use to evaluate how much of your monthly income goes toward debt payments. It is calculated by dividing your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income.

Debt-to-income ratio

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Plus, down payment and closing costs in New Jersey can set you back thousands of dollars. Many people can make their monthly house payments, but it can be difficult to come up with the money for a down payment and closing costs to buy a new home in the first place. Income limits for a family of two is $61,850.

Land