FHA mortgages are insured by the Government, specifically the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These types of mortgages are available to homebuyers who may have lower credit scores or be interested in making smaller down payments than on typical conventional purchase loans or JUMBO loans.
Because of the less strict approval requirements needed to secure FHA financing, FHA loans are very popular with younger or first-time homebuyers (over 80 percent of FHA loans in 2020 were taken out by first-time homebuyers). Even though the FHA is a government entity and insures these loans, the loans themselves are actually provided by third-party mortgage lenders like us here at California Mortgage Girl.
Think an FHA loan for a new home purchase in 93551 is the right type of mortgage for you? Contact us today to see what level of FHA financing you’re eligible for.
Both conventional and FHA loans are available to first-time homebuyers. There is a common misconception that conventional loans are only offered to those who have purchased homes before, but they’re available to everybody. With that said, FHA loans in Los Angeles County are incredibly appealing to first-time homebuyers because of the government-backed insurance and lower requirements for approval. Here are some of the key differences to keep in mind:
FHA | Conventional |
---|---|
Insured by Federal Housing Administration | Not insured by a Government entity |
Require a minimum down payment of 3.5% for borrowers with credit scores of 580 or higher | May allow as low as a 3% down payment, but only for applicants with credit scores in the high 600s+, with significant income and savings |
Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio must be 50% or less to qualify | DTIs of 43% or less in most approval cases |
Mortgage insurance is required regardless of down payment amount | Borrowers are required to pay for mortgage insurance if their down payment is less than 20% |
We’ll need to take a comprehensive look at your financial situation to determine what type of loans and terms you’re eligible for so you can purchase your new home in 93551. Our team at California Mortgage Girl will ask you to provide us with your proof of income and other financial documents. You will need to be able to put down at least 3.5% towards the home, have a minimum credit score of 580, and a DTI of less than 50% percent.
The FHA itself does not offer any sort of down payment assistance. However, there are available down payment assistance programs from third-party lenders that can help alleviate the cost of your FHA loan down payment.
According to the FHA’s pre-qualification requirements, you’ll need to demonstrate:
Want help getting pre-approved for an FHA loan so you can get started on scouring Antelope Valley, CA for a new home?
Contact us today to get started.
If you’re already financing your home through an FHA mortgage, there are definitely some options available to you for refinancing. Make sure to always consult with mortgage professionals like us before making big financial decisions such as home refinancing.
You may be eligible to qualify for:
Want to apply for an FHA loan? Get in touch with our team of Los Angeles County-based FHA loan experts to see what next steps you need to take to qualify for your new home loan.