HUD believes that many FHA mortgage lenders have not lived up to the ethic codes and high standards required with FHA underwriting guidelines. That has become a problem because FHA loans that do not meet FHA mortgage lending standards to the letter are likely to be the very loans which cause FHA losses.   In an effort to eliminate this growing concern, HUD says that it “continues to introduce proactive measures to appropriately manage its risk. Recently, FHA reactivated its Special Work Assessment Teams to conduct single-focus on-site reviews of lenders whose originations are exhibiting signs of distress.”

Many insiders, like FHA Mortgage Guide, believe that HUD will be auditing FHA mortgage lenders to make sure these finance companies are originating FHA loans effectively with HUD’s government standards. HUD also said that it “must hold mortgagees accountable for their lending practices in order to protect the public trust and the FHA Insurance Fund.

The Department expects each mortgagee to exercise the same level of care in originating, underwriting and servicing an FHA-insured mortgage as it would for a loan in which the mortgagee would be entirely dependent on the property as security to protect its investment.   When a mortgagee fails to comply with HUD’s policies and procedures, HUD will take the appropriate action. For example, lenders that materially violate FHA loan program statutes, regulations and handbook requirements may be referred to the Mortgagee Review Board for appropriate sanctions, which may include termination of mortgagee approval.”  

HUD has made it clear that compliance with their FHA loan programs is essential or they will remove you from their mortgage lending system. How would you define reasonable and allowable lending fees for FHA home loans? Previously HUD had allowed anywhere from 1-2 points per transaction. The way the mortgage crisis has played out, it has become imperative for most mortgage brokers and lending companies to be able to offer FHA mortgages for new home buying and refinance transactions.  FHA mortgage rates remains at or below 5% for thirty year fixed rate mortgages, so being FHA-approved is at the top of most marketing lists for mortgage companies because the product remains the cornerstone of lending in 2009 and beyond.

HUD’ Checklist for Originating FHA Mortgage Loans-The lenders must at a minimum meet the following criteria listed below:

ü  Reviews all FHA loans with early payment defaults to try and stave off foreclosure.

ü  Has a comprehensive quality control plan.

ü  Does not engage in fraudulent or false or misrepresentative advertising.

ü  Full documentation demonstrating the stability each borrower employment income

ü  No “excessive charges and unallowable fees to the borrower”.

Some Banks Reduce Cash Out Limits for  FHA Mortgage Refinancing
Two smaller banks today have reduced the cash out limits on FHA home loans to 85% loan to value, despite the FHA guideline allowing 95% cash out.  Rumor has it that larger banks will also follow through on lowering the loan to value limits on FHA cash out refinancing.   Tougher guidelines quickly spread industry wide, so expect many more lenders to make it more difficult to cash out on an FHA refinance.

Since FHA loans have a very high default rate (roughly 12%), it is only logical that banks are imposing tougher guidelines for borrowers.   The banks simply cannot afford to take on additional default risk given their weak financial position.  Many potential borrowers will continue to find it difficult to obtain mortgage approval until the economy recovers and the housing markets stabilize.  Based on the way things are going, it could be a long wait.

Did I mention you also need to be less than 80% loan to value as well? Just last year no equity was required to get cash out when refinancing with a 1st or 2nd mortgage refinancing. After record breaking number of foreclosures every month, most lenders wised up and cut off the home equity loan product line.

In 2008, the thirty year fixed rate mortgage remains competitive and historically pretty low averaging in the mid six percent range all year. For the first time, FHA mortgage loans actually dropped below the conventional interest rate levels. FHA home loans typically carry a little bit of a higher rate because of the increased risk factor that goes along with no equity and lower credit score requirements.  Read Complete FHA Refinance Article. – Article written By Sean Dornan

HUD released new statistics elaporating on the 400,000 homeowners that refinanced with FHA mortgage loans during the past year.  Let’s all congratulate HUD for getting as many people as possible into FHA home loans. The only problem is that such numbers do not exist in a vacuum. The core reason for more FHA financing is very simple: Private-money mortgages have disappeared. But the Housing of Urban Development is not telling the whole story when it says that in July of this year that “HUD expanded the FHASecure loans to help homeowners with adjustable rate subprime mortgages who can no longer afford their mortgage loans and missed up to three monthly mortgage payments over the past 12 months.

Rather than go into foreclosure, eligible borrowers can refinance with FHA and lenders can voluntarily write down the outstanding subprime mortgage principal balances.” The catch, of course, is that “eligible borrowers” have been rare. Figures from HUD show that 455,803 borrowers refinanced with FHA mortgages during fiscal 2008 — the period ending September 30th. During the same period only 3,794 delinquent conventional borrowers were able to refinance with FHA home mortgages.

Less than 1 percent of all FHA mortgage refinance loans bailed out failing borrowers.  Does anyone believe that more distressed homeowners could have been helped had HUD relaxed eligibility requirements? Does anyone doubt there the need is there?  Loan modifications soared in 2008 and most industry insiders believe that 2009 and 210 will be more of the same. 

At this point, if you are an applicant considering home-buying, FHA is clearly your best bet to finance a home with a low mortgage rate. FHA was never intended to offer an alternative to shady loan applicants. FHA has always required complete income qualifications, whereas most sub-prime lenders offer “stated income” loan programs that could entice applicants who can’t actually afford the mortgage loan as advertised. 

FHA mortgage lending continues to offer incentives such as reduced down payments and limited credit availability, but it also stresses the fact that homeownership is for people who can afford to make their mortgage payment each month. FHA recently eliminated down payment assistance loans.  Rumor has it that FHA is even considering lowering the cash out refinancing requirements from 95% to 85% loan-to-value ratios.

FHA offers mortgage insurance but they do not make home mortgages. However, the FHA home loan program often minimizes the cost of a home financing and there are no penalties for refinancing or early pay-off.  In addition, FHA encourages lending companies to finance loans for borrowers with all types of credit.  With FHA’s Section 203(b) program, a homebuyer can purchase a new or used 1-4 family home. FHA home-buyers must occupy the home.

A FHA mortgage enables borrowers with poor credit scores to qualify for the reduced rate loans, rather than taking the higher adjustable rate loan offered by sub-prime lenders. This can save thousands in interest charges.  Required down payments are also smaller. Instead of the typical 10% down, a buyer can put down as little as 3%. The closing costs can also be financed with the mortgage, lowering the initial costs of purchasing a home.

FHA home loans are a cost-effective options for homeowners who are suffering with an adjustable rate mortgage that increased monthly payments often making owning a home too costly. FHA refinancing may be the most efficient method to avoid a foreclosure or escape a short sale.

Consumers also like FHA mortgages because they do not have FICO score requirements if your debt to income ratio and employment history meets government loan standards set forth by HUD. Many homeowners go through a period in their life when they make their loan payments late.  FHA mortgage lenders may overlook the delinquencies if the borrower indicates that they have recovered and that the proposed loan offers benefits to the borrower. Because FHA mortgage loans do not require much equity, in most cases they are the best option for consolidating first and second mortgages into a one monthly payment.  Continue article >