article thumbnail

Down payment assistance programs are a boon amid mounting pressure on homebuyer affordability

Housing Wire

They made good money, but with student loans and car payments, they didn’t have the money for the down payment and closing costs,” Saller said. Every call I get, if they are first-time homebuyers, they ask, ‘Where can I get money for a down payment or closing costs?’”

FHA loan 449
article thumbnail

RenoFi targets homeowners who don’t qualify for HELOCs

Housing Wire

Renovation financing startup RenoFi now offers a fixed-rate home renovation loan, which allows homeowners to borrow as much as 90% of their home’s after-renovation value — a move to target homeowners who don’t qualify for a home equity line of credit (HELOCs). Presented by: Auction.com.

FHA loan 313
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Opinion: Rethinking the FHA mortgage insurance premium

Housing Wire

In 2013, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) began requiring borrowers to pay the Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) for the life of an FHA loan. People have equated FHA insurance to that of private mortgage insurance used by the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), which is not life-of-loan.

FHA loan 359
article thumbnail

Agents, do you know all of the financing options available to your customers?

Real Trends

“With housing affordability at an all-time low and interest rates on the climb, it’s important that homeowners have alternative options to access their home equity without selling or taking on additional debt,” said Michael Gifford, CEO of Splitero , a financial technology company that helps homeowners access home equity. .

Finance 106
article thumbnail

What are the Best Types of Loans for First Time Home Buyers?

Realty Biz

Other Options: Conventional “97” Loans If for any reason you’re uninterested in an FHA loan, there are conventional mortgages you can pursue. The so-called “97” loan is one of them, so-called because it only requires a 3 percent deposit in order to qualify. Which One is Right For You?

article thumbnail

The Credit Score Needed to Buy a House With No Money Down

Marco Santarelli

However, certain programs like FHA loans and VA loans allow for lower credit scores. FHA loans can accept a credit score as low as 500 with a higher down payment, while VA loans often require a credit score of 580. This adds to your monthly housing expenses, making the overall cost of homeownership higher.

VA loan 52
article thumbnail

Is a Mortgage Transfer Possible? Sometimes—Here’s When

Realtor.com

Loans closed after that date must have the transfer approved by the lender, which means that the person on the receiving end of the transfer has to meet certain income and credit standards to qualify. FHA loans can also be designed to be transferable without lender approval.