FHA Loans

  • Purchase
  • Refinance
  • Cash Out
  • Consolidation
  • Renovation
  • Ground Up Construction

You can use FHA Mortgage Loans for the financing purposes of PURCHASE, REFINANCE, CASH-OUT, DEBT-CONSOLIDATION, RENOVATION, REHAB, REMODEL, GROUND UP CONSTRUCTION for both your primary residence and for rental investment property.

FHA Loans: Your Path to Homeownership

Lower down payments and flexible credit requirements make FHA loans an excellent option for homebuyers

  • Lower down payment options

  • Flexible credit requirements

  • Government-backed security

  • Higher allowable debt to income (DTI) ratio calculations.

FHA loans, FHA loan requirements, low down payment mortgage

What is an FHA Loan?

FHA loans are mortgage loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, designed to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for Americans.

How FHA Loans Work

FHA loans are issued by private lenders but insured by the Federal Housing Administration. This government backing allows lenders to offer more favorable terms, including:

  • Down payments as low as 3.5% with a credit score of 580 or higher

  • Down payments of 10% with credit scores between 500-579

  • More flexible debt-to-income ratio requirements

  • Competitive interest rates compared to conventional loans

What is an FHA Loan?

FHA loans are particularly beneficial for:

  • Beneficial for Homebuyers with limited savings for down payment

  • Buyers with less-than-perfect credit scores (as low as 500)

  • Those looking to purchase a primary residence (not for investment properties)

  • Homebuyers with limited funds who want to keep cash on hand for moving expenses and home improvements

  • Although you could buy up to a 4 unit dwelling as long as you live in one of the 4 units.

Eligibility Requirements

While requirements vary by program, most FHA Loan programs share these common eligibility criteria:

Credit Score

  • Minimum 580 credit score for 3.5% down payment

  • Minimum 500 credit score for 10% down payment

  • No open collections or judgments (some exceptions apply)

Income & Employment

  • Steady employment history (typically 2 years)

  • Verifiable income that's expected to continue for at least 3 years

  • Debt-to-income ratio typically below 50% (some exceptions up to 56.9%)

Property Requirements

  • Property must be your primary residence

  • Property must meet minimum FHA property standards

  • Purchase price must be within FHA loan limits for your area

  • Condos must be in FHA-approved projects

Other Requirements

  • No foreclosures in the last 3 years

  • No bankruptcies in the last 2 years (Chapter 7) or 1 year (Chapter 13)

  • Must have a valid Social Security Number

  • Must be a legal U.S. resident

Important Note

FHA guidelines can be flexible. Even if you don't meet all the criteria, you may still qualify. Each situation is evaluated individually, and compensating factors can help offset certain shortcomings. Contact Rodney Rose (916) 232 3040 for a personalized assessment of your unique situation.

FHA Loan Benefits

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Lower Down Payments

Minimum down payment of just 3.5% for credit scores of 580 or higher, making homeownership more accessible.

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Flexible Credit Requirements

Credit scores as low as 500 may qualify with a 10% down payment, helping those with less-than-perfect credit.

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Lower Closing Costs

Sellers can contribute up to 6% of the purchase price toward the buyer's closing costs.

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Co-borrower Flexibility

Non-occupant co-borrowers can help you qualify even if they won't live in the home.

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Higher DTI Ratios Allowed

More flexible debt-to-income ratio requirements than conventional loans.

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No Prepayment Penalty

Pay off your loan early without penalties, giving you financial flexibility.

FHA Loan Application Process

Understanding the FHA loan application process helps you prepare and navigate your homebuying journey with confidence.

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Complete Loan Application

Submit a full mortgage application with your chosen FHA-approved lender, providing all required financial documentation.

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Check Your Credit

Review your credit reports and scores. FHA loans require a minimum score of 580 for a 3.5% down payment or 500 for a 10% down payment.

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Get Pre-Approved

Work with an FHA-approved lender to determine how much you can borrow based on your credit, income, and existing debt.

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Shop for a Home and Make Offer

Find a property that meets FHA standards and falls within FHA loan limits for your area. The home must be your primary residence.

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Home Appraisal

Once your offer is accepted, we'll process your loan application, verify your information, and prepare your file for underwriting.

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Underwriting

The lender reviews your application, credit, income, and the property appraisal to make a final decision on your loan.

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Closing

Sign final paperwork, pay closing costs, and receive the keys to your new home. FHA loans require payment of an upfront mortgage insurance premium, which can be financed into the loan at closing.

Documentation You'll Need

The list of documentation items shown below is a good general list. However, based on your borrower profile overlayed with the specific loan program underwriting guidelines, you may need to provide additional information. In some circumstances, you may not need to provide the entire list of items. Speak with Rodney Rose, your trusted loan officer, for your specific documentation needed.

  • Tax returns - You will need to fill in a Form 4506-T, and provide your tax forms (the last 2 years should suffice).

  • Pay stubs, W-2s, 1099's, K-1's, or other proof of income -These include your most recent 1 month of pay stubs. If you are self-employed you must provide the two most recent tax returns as well as a year-to-date profit and loss statement. If you file a separate business tax return, you will need to provide the most recent 2 years along with a year-to-date profit and loss statement.

  • Bank statements and other assets - Lenders need your most recent 2 months bank statements and may request proof of your retirement accounts, assets, as well as other investment accounts.

  • Credit history and FICO score - Your credit report will be obtained which will provide details of your credit payment history, including any episodes of bankruptcies or foreclosures.

  • Gift letters - If any friend or family member wants to help you with the down payment or closing costs by offering you some cash you must provide a “gift letter” which states that the money is a gift and not a loan.

  • Photo ID - Provide a government issued ID with photo such as a driver's license or passport.

  • Renting history - Your history as a tenant on rent to guarantee you can pay your rent bills on time.

  • Co-Borrower or Co-Signor - If a Co-Borrower or Co-Signor is used in qualifying. You will need to provide all of the same items for them also.

  • Purchase Agreement - Legally binding contract between a buyer and a seller that outlines the terms and conditions of a property sale.

Don’t Let High Down Payments Hold You Back

With FHA loans, you could become a homeowner sooner than you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for an FHA loan?

FHA loans are accessible to borrowers with a wider range of credit scores. You may qualify with a credit score as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment, or as low as 500 with a 10% down payment. However, individual lenders may have their own requirements above the FHA minimums.

How much is the down payment for an FHA loan?

FHA loans require a minimum down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price if your credit score is 580 or higher. If your credit score is between 500-579, you'll need a minimum down payment of 10%.

What is the FHA mortgage insurance premium?

FHA loans require two types of mortgage insurance: an upfront premium of 1.75% of the loan amount (which can be financed into the loan) and an annual premium that ranges from 0.45% to 1.05% of the loan amount (paid monthly), depending on your loan amount, term, and loan-to-value ratio.

Can I use gift funds for the down payment on an FHA loan?

Yes, the FHA allows you to use gift funds for the entire down payment. The gift must be documented with a gift letter, and there should be a clear paper trail showing the transfer of funds from the donor to you.

Can I get an FHA loan for any type of home?

FHA loans can be used to purchase or refinance single-family homes, 2-4 unit properties, condominiums in FHA-approved projects, and manufactured homes that meet certain requirements. The property must be your primary residence, meet minimum property standards, and fall within FHA loan limits for your area.

How long do I have to pay FHA mortgage insurance?

If you make a down payment of less than 10%, you'll pay mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. If your down payment is 10% or more, you'll pay mortgage insurance for 11 years. However, many borrowers refinance to conventional loans once they have sufficient equity to eliminate this ongoing cost.

Are there limits to how much I can borrow with an FHA loan?

Yes, FHA loan limits vary by county and are based on local housing costs. In 2023, the FHA loan limits for a single-family home range from $472,030 in low-cost areas to $1,089,300 in high-cost areas. Limits are higher for multi-unit properties.

Can I have more than one FHA loan at a time?

Generally, you can only have one FHA loan at a time since these loans are intended for primary residences. However, there are exceptions for certain situations like relocation for work, family size increases, or if you're a co-borrower on another person's FHA loan.

What's the difference between FHA loans and conventional loans?

FHA loans are government-insured with more flexible credit requirements and lower down payment options (as low as 3.5%), but require mortgage insurance for most borrowers. Conventional loans aren't government-backed, typically require higher credit scores (usually 620+), offer down payments as low as 3% for some programs, and allow you to remove private mortgage insurance once you reach 20% equity.

© Copyright 2025 by E Mortgage Capital. Inc.

Notice To Texas Loan Applicants: Consumers wishing to file a complaint against a mortgage banker, or a licensed mortgage banker residential mortgage loan originator, should complete and send a complaint form to the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, 2601 North Lamar, Suite 201, Austin, TX 78705. Complaint forms and instructions may be obtained from the department’s website at www.sml.texas.gov.

A toll-free consumer hotline is available at 1-877-276-5550. The department maintains a recovery fund to make payments of certain actual out of pocket damages sustained by borrowers caused by acts of licensed mortgage banker residential mortgage loan originators. A written application for reimbursement from the recovery fund must be filed with and investigated by the department prior to the payment of a claim. For more information about the recovery fund, please consult the department’s website at www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Loan Officer at E Mortgage Capital, Inc. 3750 S Susan Street Santa Ana, Ca. 92704. NMLS#1416824 NMLS#1396861 DRE#00853403. Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. For State Requirements, go to https://www.emortgagecapital.com/licensing.