Posts Tagged ‘Home’

Florida FHA Loan, Florida FHA home loan, 97% Financing

July 31st, 2010

 

Whether you are purchasing a new Florida home, renovating a house, or simply making your current home more energy efficient, the FHA home loan can be the solution to monetary concerns or problems. Since being established in the early 1930s during the great depression, the Federal Housing Administration has aimed to assist all people to live in their dream homes, be it in Florida or any other Florida county we serve including Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Florida. Time tested and government backed, there are few excuses to pass up a FHA loan.

The largest percentage of a person’s life is spent in their Florida house. An FHA loan provides comfort and makes sure that time is well spent. FHA does not lend money to Florida mortgage applicants, however serves as insurance to lenders so you can obtain a mortgage or loan to renovate or purchase a Florida house. With a down payment equipment untouchable by any other mortgage program of 3.5% of the purchase price of the home, and some programs that require no money down, the benefits of an FHA loan outweigh its costs.

Florida is a beautiful state full of beautiful homes. The dream of owning a Florida home may seem difficult at first, but with thanks to the Federal Housing Administration, that dream is not an impossible. FHA mortgage programs can help you become a homeowner with the help of an easy, hassle-free FHA mortgage loan.

Like many home buyers and homeowners looking for a Florida mortgage, 1st Continental Mortgage has weathered the storm and come out stronger and wiser. With a keen focus on core principles and products like the FHA home loan, we’re ready and able to make a broad range of real estate loans throughout Florida. Other advantages to the FHA Home loan include:

Mortgage Programs With Minimal Down payment and Closing Cost

Down payment less than 3.5% of Sales Price 100% Financing options available Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards buyers costs. No cash or bank reserves are required. FHA regulated closing costs.

Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines

No minimum Credit Score or credit score requirements. FHA will allow a home purchase 2 year after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase 3 year after a Foreclosure

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Home Security Advice When Selling Your Home

July 31st, 2010

When you decide to sell your home, and it’s going to be vacant, you may be thinking of installing an home security alarm system. But before you do, you have to make sure you understand a few things. For starters, the secret code won’t be a secret for long. Whether it’s published on the MLS, or given to all potential buyer’s agents via phone or email, the secret will be out.

Alarms provide protection while your home is vacant or not. But you have to remember that the alarm can actually become a nuisance when instructions aren’t followed, whether it’s the instruction on the listing page stating that the buyer’s agent should call beforehand for the code (and they don’t) or if the step-by-step instructions hanging on the wall directly next to the alarm seem to be written in some other language.

To avoid these mishaps, selling agents can opt to show the house by appointment only, since too many times buyers agents don’t call for the code and the proper authorities are contacted, the alarm company is contacted and eventually the selling agent is contacted. But there are other options too. That’s why you have to decide whether or not the alarm system is actually a good idea.

Here are some tips you can utilize if you don’t want the hassles of an alarm system:

Fool the dummies with dummies. Dummy cameras, yard signs and window decals are all great ways to try and fool an intruder. Install motion detectors for all areas. Front yard, back yard and the sides of your homes will light up if motion is detected and generally scare the intruder away. Timed interior lights could also deter intruders and trick them into thinking someone is home. As a selling agent, recommend to your clients that leaving some furniture in the home, including knick-knacks on windowpanes and a couch or hanging plants will help make the home look like someone is living there still.

Again, these are just some ideas to help you get through the joys of home selling, with hopefully, less stress. Alarm systems are a great way to secure your home, however sometimes they’re more of a hassle than a luxury.

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Summary of FHA Home loan advantages for Florida Homebuyers

July 31st, 2010

Summary of FHA Home loan Advantages for Florida Home buyers.

Florida Mortgage,  Florida FHA Loan, FHA home loan,  FHA mortgage refinance

For the Florida mortgage applicant the FHA mortgage program can simplify the purchase of a home, making financing easier and less expensive for Florida mortgage seekers. Some highlights of the Florida FHA loan program include:

Minimal Down Payment and Closing costs.

Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price Gifts are allowed

Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards closing and prepaid costs.

100% Financing available

No reserves required.

FHA regulated closing costs.

Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as:

No minimum FICO score or credit score requirements.

FHA will allow a home purchase 2 year after a Bankruptcy.

FHA will allow a home purchase 3 years after a Foreclosure.

To take advantage of the FHA program in Florida, give us a call 1-800-570-0448.

Many Florida mortgage applicants are confused about what types of FHA mortgage programs are available to them. In the Florida real estate market that has been hit with large declining values, this is especially true. So, let me try to help you understand what is available to the average Florida home owner or purchaser as far as FHA mortgage loans in Florida are concerned.

In a market such as Florida, FHA works great because even with the declining values that Floridian property owners have experienced, a Florida FHA buyer can borrow up to 97% of the Florida home’s appraised value or purchase price -whichever is less. Apply now for a FL FHA home loan with a HUD approved Florida FHA lender.

The maximum loan amount varies by which county in Florida the property is located. The FHA mortgage may be used to purchase or refinance a single family home, 1-4 unit projects, Condos, PUDS, Modular and Manufactured homes.

The FHA mortgage is available to U.S. Citizens, permanent resident aliens, and non permanent resident aliens may qualify too, so talk to your licensed Florida loan officer to check your eligibility.

The income ratios allowed are up to 31% for housing and up to 43% total payments, but may vary depending on compensating factors. So again, make sure you ask your licensed Florida loan officer. Florida is considered a high closing cost state, which means the costs are at or above 2.1% of the sales price. One of the reasons for this is that Florida has a 1% Mortgage tax; even on a refinance, the state of Florida requires you to pay tax of 1% on the new mortgage amount.

FHA Loans in high closing cost states such as Florida can have a loan to value on a purchase of up to 98.75% if the property is valued at less than $50,000, and 97.5% for a value of $50,000, up to $125,000. For all values above $125,000, the rate is 97.15%.

FHA mortgages are insured with up front mortgage insurance, referred to as (UFMIP) and monthly mortgage insurance (MIP). UFMIP is 1.50% of the base loan amount excluding UFMIP, which can be rolled into the loan or paid all in one shot at close. FHA/HUD charges an annual premium which is split into 12 payments – this is what is known as MIP.

Some Florida borrowers may be entitled to a partial refund of the UFMIP, if their loan closed on or after January 1, 2001, to pay off or refinance an FHA loan within five to seven years of its original closing date.

When making a decision on taking out a Florida FHA mortgage on your purchase or refinance of a home, you must make sure that you can qualify for this type of loan. So again, make sure that you work with an experienced FHA licensed Florida loan officer.

FHA loans require full documentation of income and assets. You will be required to show 2 months most recent pay stubs, 2 years W-2s and/or tax returns, a written verification of employment, as well as 2 most recent statements for all checking, savings, 401k, and like accounts with a verification of deposit from your bank. Also required is a 4506 form, which gives the IRS permission to verify your taxes.

You will also have to show verification of rent or previous mortgage history, and depending on your underwriter, you may have to show cancelled checks for the last 6 months to one year of rent or mortgage payments made. Due to the tremendous amount of fraud that has occurred in Florida, expect that all FHA loans underwritten on Florida homes will be scrutinized.

 http://www.fhamortgagefhaloan.com/

 

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FHA Manufactured home loans Florida 97%w 580 FICO

July 30th, 2010

FHA Manufactured home loans Florida 97%w 580 FICO

Under the Title I program, Florida FHA approved lenders make loans from their own funds to eligible borrowers to finance the purchase or refinance of a Florida manufactured home and/or lot. FHA insures the Florida mortgage lender against loss if the borrower defaults. Credit is granted based upon the Florida mortgage applicant’s credit history and ability to repay the loan in regular monthly installments.

Florida manufactured home buyers should know the many advantages of the FHA mortgage loan programs. FHA loans were created to help increase home ownership. For the Florida manufactured home buyer the FHA program can simplify the purchase of a home, making financing easier and less expensive than a conventional manufactured mortgage loan. Some highlights of the Florida FHA loan program for manufactured homes  include:

Minimal Down Payment and Closing costs.

Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price Gifts are allowed Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards closing and prepaid costs. 100% Financing available No reserves required. FHA regulated closing costs.

Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as:  

No minimum FICO score or credit score requirements. FHA will allow a home purchase 2 year after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase 3  years after a Foreclosure.

Apply today at http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/mortgage/manufactured-homes.shtml

FHA does not lend money to Florida mortgage applicants, they only insure the FHA loans made to mortgage applicants. The Florida Title I manufactured home loans are not Federal Government loans or grants. These FHA mortgage loans to Florida mortgage applicants  fixed for the entire term of the loan, which is generally 15-30 years.

Florida Modular homes or manufactured homes from top manufactures now compare in quality with homes built by better custom home builders No matter what name they go by, factory built homes cost between ten and thirty percent less than traditional site built homes. At 1st Continental Mortgage, we know why you want a fixed rate mortgage to buy a modular home in a subdivision, an FHA home loan for a manufactured home on an acre lot, or conventional home loan for a mobile home on a rural retreat. With our network of financing, we can help you get the manufactured home financing for your Florida dream home at interest rates and terms you deserve.

 Florida FHA Mobile Home loan Criteria

 General Eligibility Criteria for Florida Manufactured loan by FHA/HUD.

The Florida home must be constructed in conformance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards as evidenced by the affixed certification label. This is the RED TAG that is on the rear of each section of the Florida manufactured home. If the RED TAG is missing the house is not eligible for Section 184 financing. Only Florida manufactured homes built after June 15, 1976 will bear that seal. Florida manufactured homes built before that date are ineligible for Section 184 financing. The Florida  home must be classified and taxed as real estate (as applicable). The Florida mortgage must cover both the manufactured unit and its site or the appropriate lease documents must be in place. The Florida mortgage must have a term of no more than 30 years from the date amortization begins. The Florida manufactured home must not have been installed or occupied previously at any other Florida site or location. The finished grade elevation beneath the manufactured home or, if a basement is used, the lowest exterior grade adjacent to the perimeter enclosure, must be at or above the 100-year return frequency flood elevation. The Florida manufactured home must be permanently attached to the foundation system. Existing Florida homes must be attached to the foundation system by either cable or rebar welded to the frame rail or similar fashion. The unit must be anchored to the footing (or pier). The axles and tongue must be removed from the unit. The chassis must stay in place. The Florida home must have adequate skirting and insulation around the perimeter to prevent the crawl space area from freezing and allow proper ventilation of the crawl space. If the skirting is wood, the wood must be properly treated to prevent decay.

Purpose of the Loan

The Florida FHA loan for Manufactured homes can be used for the purchase or refinancing of a Florida manufactured home, a developed lot on which to place a manufactured home, or a manufactured home and lot in combination. The home must be used as the principal residence of the borrower.

Locating a Florida manufactured home Dealer

Florida Manufactured homes are usually purchased through Florida dealers or retailers that sell the homes. The names of lenders in your area which specialize in financing of Florida manufactured homes can be obtained from local Florida retailers. These retailers are listed in the yellow pages of your telephone directory. They have the required application forms.

Manufactured homes must comply with the Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards, and all applicable state and local requirements governing the installation and construction of the manufactured home foundation system.

An Eligible Manufactured Home Must:

Meet the Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards. Must carry a one-year manufacturer’s warranty if the unit is new Be installed on a homesite that meets established local standards for site suitability and has adequate water supply and sewage disposal facilities available.

The proceeds of a Title I manufactured home loan may not be used to finance furniture (for example, beds, chairs, sofas, lamps, rugs, etc.). However, built-in appliances and equipment and wall-to-wall carpeting are eligible for financing.

 

Answers to Mobile Home Questions

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Six Steps to buying a Florida home with Bad Credit

July 30th, 2010

 

Six Steps to buying a Florida home with Bad Credit

Do you have a low credit score but want to take advantage of the mortgage mess to buy a Florida home? If you are like millions of Floridians others trying to keep up with credit card bills, car payments and a student loan on a reduced, or non-existent income, you may think that a new loan is out of reach. In truth, Florida bad credit  loans are more difficult to obtain these days, but you may be surprised that there are still ways to get a Florida bad Credit  home loan with bad credit.

Getting a Bad Credit Florida Mortgage with bad credit isn’t as easy as it was a year or two ago. However, it isn’t as impossible as some news reports make it seem. Even Floridians with bad credit reports which reveal past financial sins still sometimes get to the promised land of mortgage approval. Most Florida Home Buyers and Refinance clients do so with the help of a skilled and experienced Florida mortgage lender who specializes in Florida bad credit home mortgages.

Florida home buyers should know the many advantages of the FHA mortgage loan programs. FHA loans were created to help increase home ownership. For the Florida home buyer the FHA program can simplify the purchase of a home, making financing easier and less expensive than a conventional mortgage loan product. Some highlights of the Florida FHA loan program include:

Minimal Down Payment and Closing costs.

Down payment less than 3.5% of Sales Price Gifts are allowed Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards closing and prepaid costs. 100% Financing available No reserves required. FHA regulated closing costs.

Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as:

  No minimum FICO score or credit score requirements. FHA will allow a home purchase 2 year after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase 3 years after a Foreclosure.

Visit http://www.fhamortgageprograms.com/florida/, for more info

 

Why Now?
Now could be your best chance ever to own a Florida home. There is a lot of inventory on the market, about 12 months’ worth of Florida homes on the market as of June 2009, so there is a wide selection of Florida homes, townhomes, condos, ect to choose among, especially if you are flexible about where you are willing to live. And Florida homes have depreciated across the board an average of 23 percent since 2005, so there are lots of Florida home bargains. Add to that relatively low interest rates, and you have a perfect storm of opportunity-if you can get a bad credit Florida home  loan.

You can’t get a Bad Credit Florida home loan if you don’t apply. But where should you look if your credit is not good? Read on for six steps to get a Florida bad credit mortgage loan, even if you have bad credit.

1. Get in the Game
First, consider an FHA backed loan. FHA loans are designed for Florida home seekers with less than stellar credit, and the interest rates are usually less expensive than rates on sub-prime loans, sometimes up to three percentage points less.  Reach out to www.FHAmortgagePrograms.com providing Florida bad credit mortgages with No Min FICO Requirement.

2. Look for Help from Experts in Florida Bad Credit Mortgage Loans
While you are online, use one or more comparison shopping sites for Florida bad credit mortgage lenders. Typically, you enter your information just once for access by multiple Bad Credit mortgage lenders. Since these Florida  lenders are focused on bad credit loans, they know the ins and outs of qualifying with low FICO scores and which Florida lenders will accept which kinds of credit problems.

3. Improve your Odds by Forgoing Jumbo Loans
If you have bad credit, conventional Florida mortgage lenders won’t touch you with a ten-foot pole unless you have a huge down payment. Then you can get a loan of up to $417,000 and it can be underwritten electronically rather quickly. Otherwise, stay within Florida FHA loan limits for your area. That means a fairly modest home is your best bet if you have a low down payment and some credit issues. Jumbo financing IS out there–but it’s very hard to get– you have to prove you can afford the higher payments, a Florida bad credit lender that specializes in jumbo loans charges much higher rates.

4. Understand New versus Existing Florida Home Prices and Sales
There are two kinds of Florida homes on the market: existing and new. Traditionally, the percentage of sales is about the same for both while the supply of existing homes is larger. That may not be true in some areas. Florida, for example, is offering a $10,000 tax break to those who buy newly-constructed homes. In distressed markets, deal-seekers may have to decide between negotiating with a struggling developer or a bank entertaining a short sale. The Florida short sale might be a better price but these transactions often take months and fall through. If the developer is still the legal owner of the property, new construction might be a faster way to go.

5. Understand the Appraisal
Appraisals are independent evaluations of the value of the Florida property. If an appraisal comes in lower than your offer, you can still go forward with your purchase–but you are in an excellent position to negotiate a lower price. If you are getting an FHA loan, your purchase contract explicitly states that you cannot be forced to complete a transaction if the home appraises for less than the sales price. If your appraisal comes in higher than the sales price, you still get to buy at the lower price if you have a valid contract and have obtained financing.

6. Understand Interest Rates and Timing
Florida Bad credit mortgage loans are going to cost a few points more than loans for people with solid credit, so interest rates are especially important to those with poor credit. Although interest rates are relatively low right now, they are fluid, which means that they could go up enough to undermine your loan. One good thing about today’s soft real estate market is that, rather than asking for a price reduction from the Florida home owner, you can ask for them to pay enough points to buy your Florida bad credit loan rate down to something manageable. It shouldn’t matter to the seller if they drop the price 5% or pay 5% to get you a good interest rate. They’ll still receive the same proceeds.

Remember, you can’t win if you don’t play, so forget about rejection and start by filling out some bad credit mortgage loan applications.

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Florida Mobile home loan financing, up to 97% w 580 FICO

July 30th, 2010

 Florida FHA manufactured home loans, Florida Mobile home loans

Florida Mobile home loan financing, up to 97% w 580 FICO

Florida mobile or Florida manufactured home buyers should know the many advantages of the FHA mortgage loan programs. FHA loans were created to help increase Florida home ownership. For the Florida home buyer the FHA program can simplify the purchase of a home, making financing easier and less expensive than a conventional mortgage loan product. Some highlights of the Florida FHA loan program include:

For Florida mobile or Florida manufactured home buyers FHA guarantees “eligible” Florida loan applicants the ability to obtain Florida mortgages on manufactured homes with No money or Little money down .FHA loans feature low down payments and flexible guidelines to make it easier to for Florida homebuyers to qualify! FHA loans are popular with Florida first time home buyers but they can be equally attractive to Florida move-up buyers and Florida homeowners looking for a home improvement loan. With an FHA loan you can borrow up to 97% of the purchase price of the Florida home. Please keep in mind that the FHA home loan will be based on the homes purchase price or the appraised value.

Minimal Down Payment and Closing costs.

Down payment less than 3% of Sales Price Gifts are allowed Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards closing and prepaid costs. 100% Financing available No reserves required. FHA regulated closing costs.

Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as:

  No minimum FICO score or credit score requirements. FHA will allow a home purchase 1 year after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase2 years after a Foreclosure.

Apply Today for an FHA Home loan at

http://www.fhamortgagefhaloan.com/

 Florida FHA mobile home loans

 FHA Mobile Home Lending Guidelines

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets forth these guidelines for determining if a Florida mobile or manufactured home qualifies for an FHA mortgage loan in Florida:

The Florida mobile or Florida manufactured home must be constructed in accordance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. A red tag is attached to the rear of each section of homes that comply with the standards. The Florida home must be taxed as real estate by the local tax assessor’s office. The Florida mobile or Florida manufactured home must have been built after June 15, 1976. The Florida mortgage must have a term of at least 30 years from when amortization begins. The mobile home or Florida manufactured home must be on a permanent foundation. The axles and tongue must be removed from the Florida mobile or Florida manufactured home. The Florida mobile home or manufactured home must have adequate skirting and insulation, and the crawl space must have adequate ventilation.

If you would like to determine if your Florida mobile or Florida manufactured home meets the guidelines for section 184 financing from FHA, call one of our Florida mortgage pros at 1-800-570-0448. We’ll be glad to help you determine if the property that you are interested in can be used as collateral for a  Florida FHA mobile home mortgage.

Florida Manufactured  Home Loans

http://www.FHAMortgagePrograms.com offers several options for Florida mortgage applicants looking for FHA financing for a Florida mobile or manufactured home with land. The truth is with Florida annual double digit appreciation on Florida homes and Florida payrolls lagging behind at 6% or less, traditional Florida homes are becoming far out of reach of the average Florida mortgage applicant. At we recognize the Florida housing trends and know that Florida manufactured homes offer great value with terrific per square foot pricing that today’s traditional Florida homes simply can’t compare. Refinancing a Florida Manufactured or Florida mobile home today is not nearly as difficult as you might think. visit www.FHAmortgagePrograms.com for more information.

Years ago, Florida mobile homes were considered substandard and were not held in high regard by those who owned one. Today’s Florida manufactured homes sure has gone a long way to changing that opinion. Many Florida Manufactured homes offer great amenities that would cost you tens of thousands of dollars more to achieve with a traditional Florida home. Better still, today’s Florida mobile homes are actually built to a higher standard than those required for traditional block homes. For instance, in Florida , it is not uncommon to see a 1900 square foot middle class home on the market for over $300,000.00 dollars. A savvy Florida home buyer can purchase a quarter acre lot outside of Florida , and put a 1800 square foot Florida manufactured home for a package price of around $135,000.00 with typically far more featured built into their home. Now that’s buying up and a perfect option for Florida First Time Buyers!

Historically, Florida manufactured and mobile homes were considered a poor investment for the mortgage market because of home depreciation concerns. After 30 years of data, this has simply been shown to be inaccurate. The typical Florida manufactured or mobile home loan secured by a Florida manufactured home tied to land appreciates using the same principles one applies to traditional stick built homes: Supply and demand. That’s why we believe a quality land and Florida mobile home mortgage package is really a good investment.

Our Florida manufactured home loan terms allow for:

·         Very Competitive low Fixed Rate Loans ·         1/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage option to Qualified Applicants ·         Up to 97% financing for Qualified Applicants ·         Streamline Refinance Loan program for reduced costs to improve your rate and terms ·         Single Wide mobile home financing ·         Double Wide manufactured home financing ·         Yes, we offer financing for Triple Wide mobile homes as well ·         You can even do a Cash Out Refinance for Qualified Borrowers ·         Down Payment Help programs are typically allowed ·         Up to 6% seller concessions are allowed to qualified home buyers ·         We can finance ANY Florida mobile homes built after June 1976 that bear the HUD required seal ·         All Florida manufactured homes financed must be tied to land. We cannot finance only the Florida mobile home without the land.  Florida FHA Mobile Home Loan For Mobile home W/Land

 You can finance a Florida manufactured or mobile home with land  using the low rate FHA loan. Getting a low interest rate Florida mobile or manufactured home loan is easy using the FHA mortgage program. The reality is that in many Florida communities, manufactured homes that are a Florida homebuyers primary residence is one of the most difficult types of Florida mortgage loans to get a competitive low interest rate home loan on. Enter the FHA mortgage program. Learn more. Call 1-800-570-0448 or inquire using our quick quote form!

In many instances, the actual purchase price for of a Florida mobile or manufactured home with land is much lower than a conventional home and allows a wider range of prospective Florida home buyers to become home owners. The FHA mobile home loan allows for both Double Wide and Single Wide manufactured home financing under FHA underwriting terms and conditions (which can be reviewed here).

You’ll get a high quality Fixed low rate mortgage on a Florida manufactured home, and in all cases, you will get a much higher loan-to-value than you will ever find in the conventional or secondary loan market.

Best of all, motivated Florida sellers can contribute up to 6% towards the payment of your closing costs. Also, gifts from FHA/HUD qualified sources may be used to meet 100% of the minimum down payment requirements. Get started today with a low rate mobile home loan by calling 1-800-570-0448.

 To take advantage of the FHA program in Florida, give us a call 1-800-570-0448 or use our quick application to find out more about the many FL mortgage programs we can make available. Or Apply now for a FL FHA home loan.

When analyzing a Florida mortgage applicant credit report, it is important to focus upon the general pattern of credit behavior rather than isolated occurrences of late payments.  Often times, Florida mortgage applicants will experience a period of financial difficulty in the past and does not necessarily translate into an unacceptable risk.  Reasonable explanations of the credit derogatory and evidence of offsetting factors (such as a new job or promotion with greater stability and pay, for example) will be necessary.  All derogatory credit information must be explained, in writing, by the borrower.

The following is a brief synopsis of the credit underwriting guidelines for FHA mortgage loans:

Lack of credit history:  If a Florida mortgage applicant does not have a minimum of 3 trade lines on their credit report, alternative forms of credit may be used.  This would include items such as auto insurance payment history, utility bills, etc. 

Included credit obligations:  Any installment loan (e.g. student loans, car loans, etc.) with less than 10 months remaining does not need to be included when qualifying for a FHA home loan.  However, consideration is given to a large debt of over $100 a month, regardless of the number of months remaining.  Furthermore, payments on auto leases with less than 10 months must be included in the qualifying ratios.  The minimum payment on all revolving accounts (i.e. credit cards) is also factored in.  If the borrower has an open revolving account without a balance, $10 per open account should be included when qualifying. Any loan where the borrower has co-signed for another party is included with their debts unless the borrower can prove that the the other party has made the payments on their own for a minimum of 12 months.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy:  FHA requires a minimum of 2 years since the discharge of the bankruptcy.  An explanation of the bankruptcy will be required.  Furthermore, the borrower should have re-established credit (i.e. secured credit card) with no late payments.  

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy:  FHA will consider a borrower still paying on a Chapter 13 bankruptcy if the payments to the court have been made for a minimum of 1 year in a satisfactory manner (as verified with the courts) and with the approval of the court trustee.

Federal Debts:  A Florida mortgage applicant is not eligible for a FHA loan if he/she is delinquent or in default on any federal debt (such as a HUD or VA mortgage, student loans, SBA loans or a tax lien against his/her property).  Borrowers can become eligible by bringing any delinquent accounts current, making satisfactory repayment arrangements with the creditor (generally a 3 month history will be required), or paying the account in full.

Judgments:  Judgments must be paid or have 12 months of arranged payment history

Collection Accounts:  Collections do not need to be paid  (LOX) needed

Foreclosure:  A borrower who has had a property foreclosed upon, or who has given a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure within the previous 3 years, is generally not eligible for a FHA home loan.  However, if it was the result of extenuating circumstances beyond the borrower’s control (such as the death of a spouse, loss of employment, or serious long-term illness, etc.) and the borrower has since re-established good credit, an exception may be granted.  However, extenuating circumstances do not include the inability to sell a house when transferring from one area to another.

Non-purchasing Spouse:  If a married borrower is purchasing a property by himself/herself, the credit obligations of the spouse must be included with the application and will be factored in with the borrower’s credit obligations and used to determine the financial capacity of the borrower.  Furthermore, the non-purchasing spouse may be required to sign a security instrument or documentation relinquishing all rights to the property.    

To Learn more about FHA financing visit the links below   

 

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Why Should I Consider an FHA Home loan to purchase a home?

July 30th, 2010

FHA home loan Florida, FHA Mortgage Florida, Florida home loan,

 Why Should I Consider an FHA Home loan to purchase a home?

 Purchasing a Florida home is one of life’s major landmarks and for some, it is even a dream come true. Securing an FHA mortgage is the most important piece of the Florida home loan puzzle.

The FHA loan program was created to help increase homeownership. The  FHA home loan makes buying a home easier and less expensive than other types of real estate mortgage home loan programs. Some highlights of the FHA loan program are:

Other FHA loan Advantages Include:

Minimal Down Payment and Closing Costs.

Down payment less than 3.5% of Sales Price Gift for down payment and closing costs allowed. No reserves or required. FHA regulated closing costs. Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards buyers costs.

Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as:

Minimum FICO credit score of 540. FHA will allow a home purchase 2 years after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase  3 years after a Foreclosure. 

Easier Debt Ratio & Job Requirement Guidelines such as:

Higher Debt Ratio’s than other home loan programs. Less than two years on the job is allowed. Self-Employed individuals o.k.

APPLY TODAY AT www.FHAmortgageFHALoan.com,

 Homeowners enjoy the benefits of investing in their Florida home year after year. For some, there comes a time when that investment can come in handy. Refinancing your home loan with FHA can prove to be an effective way to put that equity in your Florida home to work.

 Florida has FHA loan limits these FHA loan limits were established to define how much you can borrow for FHA home loan. Each state has different FHA loan  limits, so be sure to look up your state to understand what is available for your FHA home loan.FHA home loans are easier and less expensive than other home loan programs.

 There are many reasons for Florida homebuyers to investigate an FHA home loan for their next purchase. First time Florida homebuyers should explore FHA loan options because it’s easier to qualify for an FHA loan than qualifying for a conventional mortgage..  FHA mortgage loans are guaranteed by the government, making your home loan application more appealing to FHA approved  lenders. Since the typical first-time FHA mortgage applicant is young and just starting out their careers, chances are they still have student loans and other credit card debts to content with; The FHA  mortgage loan  costs less and is more forgiving of youthful indiscretions with credit and payments.

FHA mortgage loans don’t require a big down payment. For most Florida  first-time homebuyers this can be an advantage; that typical Florida mortgage applicant in the early stages of a new career often doesn’t have a large down payment set aside specifically for purchasing a Florida home. Luckily the  FHA mortgage only requires a low 3.5% down payment, and that money can come from a variety of sources including an FHA down payment assistance program including Florida Grants.

For Florida first time buyers, closing cost can be another issue to contend with. For the Florida homebuyer typical closing costs for FHA home loans are around 6% of the purchase price. One of the biggest advantages with an FHA Loan is that the seller can pay up to 6% of the  Florida homebuyers closing cost and prepaid

 FHA mortgage loans  are not  just for Florida first-time home buyers. Florida homeowners use FHA refinance mortgages to  help people get out of sub-prime adjustable rate mortgages with interest rates on the brink of a huge increase. Florida homeowners on the brink of foreclosure with a conventional mortgage loan are finding that  FHA home mortgage refinancing is a godsend for those who want to keep their Florida  home.. The advantages of using an FHA mortgage include a low fixed rate mortgage guaranteed by the FHA. This means, predictable FHA mortgage payments over the life of the loan and lower interest rates making it easer for mortgage applicants to qualify with lower payments..

FHA also provides cash-out refinancing for those who need to use equity built up in their Florida home for unexpected expenses. FHA cash-out refinancing mortgage may offer lower interest rates than traditional home equity loans; you may qualify for one of two FHA mortgage plans which offer cash-out refinancing. One offers loan amounts for up to 97.75% of the appraised value of the home, another FHA refinancing loan offers amounts up to 85% of your Florida homes  appraised value. Each FHA mortgage loan has its own requirements;

 FHA home loans should take up no more than 35% of your Gross monthly income ( income before taxes) , and your FHA loan officer will ask for verification of your income to make the calculation. While some Florida mortgage applicants  are able to get conventional loans using “stated income”, requirements for FHA home loans such as FHA refinancing loans require copies of your income tax returns to verify the actual amount of money you report to the government. If your job situation has changed since your last tax filing, you may be able to furnish proof of income through your new employer.

FHA mortgages have specific requirements for income, debt-to-income ratios, maximum FHA  loan amounts and other details; each type of FHA mortgage loan is unique and must be applied for individua

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FHA Manufactured Home Loan Florida

July 30th, 2010

No matter if you call it a factory built home, a manufactured home, a modular home, or a prefabricated home; smart Florida financing Mobile Home Buyers know that manufactured homes offer them comparable quality, lower costs per square foot and dramatically quicker build times than a traditional site built home.

Getting a low interest rate on a Florida manufactured or mobile home loan is very possible using the FHA mortgage loan. The reality is that in many places in Florida, manufactured homes, also known as Mobile Homes, are the residence of choice for many Florida homebuyers and one of the most difficult types of homes to get a low interest rate home loan on. Enter the FHA mortgage program. Learn more. Call 954-667-9110 or inquire.

Advantages of using FHA for a Manufactured home include:

Minimal Down Payment and Closing Costs.

Down payment less than 3.5% of Sales Price Gift for down payment and closing costs allowed. No reserves or required. FHA regulated closing costs. Seller can credit up to 6% of sales price towards buyers costs.

Easier Credit Qualifying Guidelines such as:

Minimum FICO credit score of 540. FHA will allow a home purchase 2 years after a Bankruptcy. FHA will allow a home purchase  3 years after a Foreclosure.

Easier Debt Ratio & Job Requirement Guidelines such as:

Higher Debt Ratio’s than other home loan programs. Less than two years on the job is allowed. Self-Employed individuals o.k.

In many instances, the actual purchase price for a Florida mobile home with land is much lower than a conventional home and allows a wider range of prospective Florida home buyers to become home owners. The FHA manufactured  home loan will approve both Double Wide and Single Wide Florida manufactured home financing under FHA underwriting terms and conditions.

You’ll get a low fixed rate, and you will get a much higher loan-to-value (up to 96.5% financing) than you will ever find on a conventional manufactured home loan..

Best of all, the seller may contribute up to 6% towards the payment of your closing costs of your next manufactured home loan. Also, gifts and grants  from FHA qualified sources may be used to meet 100% of the minimum down payment requirements. Get started today with a low rate mobile home loan by calling 954-667-9110

You can finance a Florida manufactured or mobile home with land using the low rate FHA mortgage loan. FHA Mobile Home Lending Criteria

FHA loan Criteria For Manufactured Housing By HUD:

Only manufactured homes built after June 15, 1976 will bear that seal. Manufactured homes built before that date are ineligible for Section 184 financing. The home must be classified and taxed as real estate (as applicable). The mortgage must cover both the manufactured unit and its site, or the appropriate lease documents must be in place. The mortgage must have a term of no more than 30 years from the date amortization begins. The manufactured home must not have been installed or occupied previously at any other site or location. The house must have adequate skirting and insulation around the perimeter to prevent the crawl space area from freezing and allow proper ventilation of the crawl space. If the skirting is wood, the wood must be properly treated to prevent decay. The Florida home must be constructed in conformance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards as evidenced by the affixed certification label. This is the RED TAG that is on the rear of each section of the manufactured home. If the RED TAG is missing, the house is not eligible for Section 184 financing. The finished grade elevation beneath the manufactured home or, if a basement is used, the lowest exterior grade adjacent to the perimeter enclosure, must be at or above the 100-year return frequency flood elevation. The house must be permanently attached to the foundation system. Existing homes must be attached to the foundation system by either cable or rebar welded to the frame rail or similar fashion. The unit must be anchored to the footing (or pier). The axles and tongue must be removed from the unit. The chassis must stay in place.

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Higher Insurance Premiums Anticipated For Home Owners

July 30th, 2010

According to the Wall Street Journal Online, some insurance companies are now passing along the higher costs of payouts resulting from hurricanes such as Katrina, Wilma and Rita to homeowners. In fact, some insurers are withdrawing from coastal areas altogether, after incurring an estimated $56 billion of hurricane-related losses. With long-time insurers such as Allstate Corp. and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. leaving some vulnerable areas, homeowners are forced to find new insurance coverage that usually comes with a higher price tag.

With home insurers getting regulatory approval to increase premiums in states hit by hurricanes, even states that were untouched by hurricanes are expected to bear the brunt of this hike. Citing increase in reinsurance costs as a major contributing factor, many insurers such as Allstate are seeking approval to increase premiums in as many as 49 states.

Insurance Companies are now reviewing their underwriting process and trying to enforce stricter guidelines on whom to insure. Industry experts estimate that insurance premiums will climb even higher when homeowners renew their policies this year.

Insurance premiums have already increased in Massachusetts, which hadn’t experienced a devastating hurricane in the last 50 years. Moreover, some insurance companies are not writing new policies in areas such as Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Homeowners living in these parts are forced to seek state insurance to cover their homes, which usually costs more than private insurance.

Homeowners in several states are bracing themselves for likely rise in premiums due to increased reinsurance costs. Rhode Island has already experienced increases in home insurance premiums by 10 to 15 percent over the last year. Insurers are reducing risk exposure by shifting some of the financial risk to homeowners with higher deductibles for windstorm damage.

For homeowners, dealing with the premium increases must be familiar territory. Premiums have been going up over the past few years following natural disasters in the 90s such as Hurricane Andrew (1992). According to experts, the best path for homeowners to tread is to go for policies with higher deductibles and lower premiums. Homeowners should avoid filing minor claims, which may increase their risk of being dropped by their insurer. It is also best to buy home insurance from firms with a strong financial rating.

Source: The Wall Street Journal Online, M.P. McQueen

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Water in the Home: How to Find, Fix, and Clean Water Damage

July 30th, 2010

Arg! There are few disasters that can occur in the home that are more heinous and hard to deal with than water damage. It can sneak up on you or hit you suddenly. No matter how it strikes, it’s a tough one to clean up after and the damage can be subtle and long lasting.

It’s not always obvious when water damage has occurred because often the source of the damage is a broken or leaky pipe behind the drywall or under the concrete slab of your house. Leaking pipes take a long time to show up, especially if the leak is slow and, by the time water spots or sagging ceiling tiles start to show, the damage can be extensive.

Another source of water damage, a clog in the drainage system, can manifest itself suddenly in most cases. The resulting backed up toilet, sink, or bathtub drain is easy to spot and easy to rectify, usually.

A third kind is a failure of a major appliance – the dishwasher, washing machine, or refrigerator – and the resulting damage can also be hidden for some time.

Last on the list is damage that occurs when the roof or basement walls leak and the sump pump fails. This last type can be quite devastating and is usually readily apparent to the naked eye.

Finding the damage can be easy if the cause is a sudden catastrophic failure of an appliance or plumbing, or a violent rain storm that damages roof tiles or shingles. Sometimes it can be subtle and slow to reveal itself, in the case of plumbing behind the walls. A hot water pipe may expand, causing a leak between joints, for example. The leak disappears when the pipes cool down, making detection work slow and frustrating. A hot spot in the concrete slab or bathroom tile may indicate another hot water pipe leak. (This is even more fun to sort out if you have radiant floor heating.)

Water spots in the ceiling are a definite indication that something is amiss, as well as wet carpeting and you don’t have a dog. Small leaks are the worse as the damage is slow to develop and hard to spot.

It’s important to understand the extent of the water damage so that clean up and repair can be thorough and effective. While some damage is immediately apparent – such as damage to porous materials like wood, carpeting, drywall and such – latent damage like mold may take months or even years to develop although, depending on conditions, mold can develop in as little as 24 hours. Thorough drying of the damaged area, as well as replacing such porous materials as carpeting, drywall, and ceiling tiles, will minimize and possibly prevent a mold or mildew problem. Antiseptic solutions may need to be applied, particularly if the source of the damage was a backed up sewer or septic system.

Bottom line: address water damage immediately, for your house’s sake and for your health.

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