Posts

In Defense of FHA! Misconceptions Persist!

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FHA financing is ideal for first-time homebuyers or borrowers with low credit and limited savings. FHA loans have lower rates than conforming (Fannie/Freddie) loans. This is especially the case for borrowers with low credit scores (under 680).Read More

If Property Won’t Appraise, Change Financing!

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We have a buyer who is willing to offer $450,000 for a property with 10% down. The problem is that, according to her agent, “the property will never appraise for more than $380,000, because there are no comparable sales anywhere above $380,000.” Read More

FHA Financing – Why & When Listing Agents Should Not Be Leery

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INTRODUCING JVM’S BLOG PODCAST We have turned our blog posts into podcast episodes – perfect for listening on the go. You can listen to this blog as well as some of our most popular blog posts in podcast form for free HERE. We’ll be posting new blogs in audible format every week so stay tuned! […]Read More

Using Rental Income From Units to Qualify; Vacant Units; Illegal Units

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I blogged recently about “House Hacking” (here and here) or buying multiple-unit properties in order to use the rental income to subsidize one’s mortgage payment. We received numerous questions in response that made for some great blog fodder, discussed below. How much rental income can we use? For all units that will not be occupied […]Read More

No Bubble Here; FHA Condo Spot Approvals

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FHA CONDO SPOT APPROVALS ARE BACK STARTING TOMORROW Starting tomorrow, an entire condominium complex will no longer need to be “FHA Approved” for a buyer to use FHA financing to purchase a unit within the complex. Buyers can now obtain what is called a “Spot Approval” to get just get a single unit “FHA approved.” […]Read More

Competing With Builder Financing – False Enticements & Lender Credits!

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Most new home builders offer large credits to buyers who opt to use the builder’s preferred mortgage company. The credits come in the form of interior “upgrades” (better floor coverings, cabinets, appliances, etc.) and/or in the form of closing costs. Sometimes the builders’ offers are very competitive because the builders are willing to “give away […]Read More

FHA Financing Is Fast, “As Is,” & Easy; 15 Day Close

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Heejin and I did a presentation yesterday on marketing for real estate agents, based on everything we have seen work and not work with the hundreds of agents we have worked with. It went really well, and if anyone would like to see it, please let us know. But, this blog topic surfaced after the […]Read More

FHA Reminders: Attached PUDs, Refi’s to 96.5%; Cash-out Refi to 85%

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A few quick but important reminders about FHA Financing, as we get questions often: 1. FHA financing is available for all Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) or “townhomes,” even if they are attached and in large complexes that look like condos. As long as they are not zoned as condos, they are eligible for FHA financing […]Read More

We Push 5% Down Conventional Over FHA, If Loan Is Under $417,000

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We had a buyer come to us this weekend who had been approved for FHA financing by an online lender. The buyer, however, was very well qualified and should have been encouraged to take 5% down Conventional financing over 3.5% down FHA financing. Conventional financing is better than FHA financing, when buyers qualify, for the following reasons: 1.) […]Read More

FHA Not ONLY For 1st Time Buyers; Who Uses FHA Financing?

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FHA Financing is not just for first time buyers. FHA financing can be used by anybody who does not currently have an FHA loan. FHA financing is best for borrowers with limited cash, tight debt ratios, and/or credit issues. FHA is the most forgiving type of financing when it comes to all of these issues. […]Read More

FHA Financing for “Fixer;” Save Cash For Repairs; Refi Later

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We sometimes have buyers, with ample cash, use FHA financing to buy total “fixers” and then use their cash savings (from the smaller down payment) for improvements. Once their improvements are done, they come back to us and use their much higher appraised value to do a no-cost refinance into a conventional loan. For example, […]Read More

“Title Only” (On Title; Not On Loan); OK at Most Lenders

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This is a reminder that almost all lenders allow spouses, partners, children, etc. to be on purchase contracts and therefore to be “on title” to a property, but not on the loan. This is called “title only.” We commonly advocate this when a spouse or partner has little or no income, and/or credit issues that […]Read More