Everyone wants to own a home. Once upon a time, homeownership was the inevitable conclusion to the American Dream. More recently, this dream has felt out of reach for many consumers. Low-income families, first-time homebuyers, recent graduates, and so on have all felt like there was no way for them to navigate the complicated ownership process. Finding the money to afford a mortgage seems too much of a fuss now, as well. With Arizona FHA loan, you can buy a home; and qualifying shouldn’t be an issue.
Indeed, more and more Arizonans are turning to FHA mortgages. It is a much more accessible option that’s already helped 30 percent of homeowners across the country. This article will cover the most common questions about the nature of FHA loans and how you can get one in Arizona. Maybe you’ll find that this mortgage option is right for you, too!
We Can Help You Qualify For an Arizona FHA Loan
Fill Out The Form Below To Get Help Today!
What is an FHA Loan?
FHA loans are the most popular type of mortgage in America. These loans are still issued by private banks and moneylenders, but they’re insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Such a method offers the lender extra protection in case you fail to make your payments. Contrary to popular belief, the FHA does not actually originate from any of the mortgages.
Because the U.S. Treasury backs FHA loans almost in full, lenders feel more comfortable approving these types of mortgages. As well as applicants now can often secure home FHA loans with more confidence than before.
What are the different types of Arizona FHA loans?
There are three main types of Arizona FHA loans. Firstly, there’s the 5-year adjustable rate FHA home loan. It starts at a lower interest rate for the first five years before increasing. This type of loan gives the loan recipient time to settle and set aside some money before making the bigger payments. That’s why it is popular with low and moderate-income buyers. In addition, the five-year lower interest rate is usually 1 percent lower than the fixed rate.
The fixed-rate FHA home loan is the type of FHA loan most people are familiar with. A fixed-rate loan keeps the same interest rate for the entirety of the payback period (which is usually either 15 or 30 years) so the only things that will change your payments are deviations in insurance or property taxes. This type of loan is great for buyers who want a home but who haven’t been able to save up money for the purchase. It is popular with first-time homeowners like newlyweds or recent college graduates.
A condominium unit FHA home loan is a type of mortgage designed for those purchasing a condominium unit instead of a traditional house. Condominium units usually appeal to low-income and moderate-income singles.
What advantages do homeowners have with an Arizona FHA loan?
There’s a lot of reasons people FHA loans are the most popular in the country and in the state of Arizona. Here are just a few of the highlights:
- FHA loans in Arizona have a much smaller down payment when compared to conventional home loans. Conventional mortgages usually require a 20 percent down payment. On the contrary, FHA loan down payments is often as low as 3.5 percent of the total value of the loan! This is why the FHA mortgage is so popular with Arizonans who have steady work but who have been unable to save enough beforehand for a large up-front deposit.
- FHA loans in Arizona only require a credit score of 620 or higher. Conventional mortgages usually require at least 700.
- FHA loans in Arizona allow much higher debt-income ratios than conventional loans. Lenders usually want to see 31-40 percent DTI ratios for FHA loans. However, they will often accept it as high as 50 percent.
- FHA loans in Arizona also have no minimum income requirement.
What are the disadvantages of an FHA loan?
As wonderful as FHA loans are, they’re not necessarily the best choice for everyone. They do come with some disadvantages:
- FHA loan recipients in Arizona have to pay a premium upfront. To protect its investment, the Federal Housing Administration charges an initial fee called the “FHA funding fee”. It usually equals 1.7 percent of the total mortgage. Important to note: even with this added fee, the total down payment for an FHA loan is much lower than it is for traditional home loans.
- FHA loan recipients in Arizona cannot cancel their private mortgage insurance. Conventional mortgages usually allow homeowners to cancel their insurance payments after they’ve equity equal to 20 percent of the total value of the home. FHA loans require you to keep paying for PMI until the home has been paid off in its entirety.
- Interest rates are often slightly higher for an FHA loan in Arizona. This is how the moneylenders make their money back from the small upfront payment.
Because of the last two points, FHA mortgages are usually more expensive overall than conventional mortgages. However, individual payments are much more manageable.
What type of properties qualifies for an FHA home loan?
To qualify for an FHA home loan in Arizona, a property must be at least 400 square feet and must meet rigorous safety standards, as determined by an appraisal by a government employee. The complete 21-page checklist for appraisers is in Chapter 3 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Handbook 4150.2. You can be find it here. In brief, they will disqualify a home with:
- Foundation cracks
- Loose handrails
- Structural concerns
- Holes or leaks in the roof
- Low water pressure
- No hot water
- Insufficient space
- Faulty HVAC system
Among other concerns.
The property must also cost less than the maximum lending limit for an FHA loan in Arizona, as described on a county-by-county basis here.
How important is credit when applying for an FHA loan in Arizona?
Credit is important for any loan, but FHA home loans typically have much more lenient credit score requirements than other types of mortgages. The federal minimum is set at 500, and while most lenders will still expect something in the 600-620 range, that’s still will below the 700 minimum requirement for conventional loans. The FHA also allows up to two thirty-day late entries on your credit report and will allow you to submit “alternative forms of credit” like recent utility or phone bills instead of a FICO credit score.
What are the requirements for an FHA loan in Arizona?
The typical requirements for an Arizona FHA mortgage are:
- A minimum credit score of 620 or two forms of alternative credit.
- A property that has been appraised and meets the requirements of HUD Handbook 4150.2
- A property that is worth less than the lending limit ($566,425 in most AZ counties.)
- A debt-to-income ratio of 50 percent or less
However, private lenders are allowed to set their own requirements. Many will allow much lower credit scores (the federal minimum is 500) or will allow you to make up for a higher debt-to-income ratio in other ways. This is why it’s always important to find a lender with requirements that work best for you.
Borrowers that meet this criteria should also look into the HUD home programs by visiting the HUDHomestore.
How do you receive an FHA loan in Arizona?
Though FHA loans are insured by the government, they’re still originated by private moneylenders and banks. It’s important to shop around to find a lender with requirements that work for you and, if possible, low interest rates. Once you’ve found the lender you’re looking for, you’ll have to apply for the loan just as you would for any other mortgage. A representative called an Underwriter will ask for your job history, credit score, income documentation, and so forth to verify that you fit the minimum requirements. Once the underwriter’s satisfied, your application will be marked “Clear to Close” and you’ll be on your way to owning a home!
What are the FHA loan rates for Arizona?
Loan rates change on a daily basis based on current economic indicators of the real estate market. And rates are different in different parts of the state (property in Phoenix or Tucson is obviously going to be worth more than property in Bisbee, for example.) What’s more, different lenders usually have different rates!
We can’t tell you what the current rates are exactly; they change every day at different lenders’. Instead, we can tell you for certain that you that you should “shop around” and do your own research. Then you can find out which lender is offering the best deal in your area.
Do you have to be a first-time home buyer for an FHA loan in Arizona?
Nope – there’s no truth to this popular misconception. Any applicant who meets the minimum criteria for credit, income, etc. can apply for an FHA loan.
What is the maximum income limit for FHA loans?
There is no maximum income limit – this is just another common myth. However, applicants with a higher income may want to take out a conventional hine loan. It requires a larger down payment but it usually ends up being cheaper in the long run.
I want to refinance. Can the FHA help me?
The answer is absolutely Yes. The FHA offers the FHA Streamline Refinance Mortgage program. It fits those who currently have a FHA loan in Arizona but need to refinance. You can then either get a lower interest rate or do a cash-out refinance. In some cases home owners can do this with no upfront costs. You might additionally get a cash-out mortgage refinance whether or not or not the mortgage you are refinancing is an FHA loan. When doing a cash out refinance you can get as much as 85% of the current value of your home.
