2013 FHA Loan Limits for Washington State

December 9, 2012 by 2 Comments

HUD has confirmed that 2013 FHA loan limits will remain unchanged from 2012. 

King County, Snohomish County and Pierce County

  • 1 Unit: $567,500
  • 2 Unit: $726,500
  • 3 Unit: $878,150
  • 4 Unit: $1,091,351

Benton and Franklin Counties:

  • 1 Unit: $275,000
  • 2 Unit: $352,050
  • 3 Unit: $525,550
  • 4 Unit: $528,850

Chelan and Douglas Counties:

  • 1 Unit: $342,700
  • 2 Unit: $438,700
  • 3 Unit: $530,300
  • 4 Unit: $659,050

Clallam County:

  • 1 Unit: $384,100
  • 2 Unit: $491,700
  • 3 Unit: $594,350
  • 4 Unit: $738,650

Clark and Skamania Counties:

  • 1 Unit: $418,750
  • 2 Unit: $536,050
  • 3 Unit: $648,000
  • 4 Unit: $805,300

Island County:

  • 1 Unit: $381,250
  • 2 Unit: $488,050
  • 3 Unit: $589,950
  • 4 Unit: $733,150

Jefferson County:

  • 1 Unit: $437,500
  • 2 Unit: $560,050
  • 3 Unit: $677,000
  • 4 Unit: $841,350

Kitsap County:

  • 1 Unit: $475,000
  • 2 Unit: $608,100
  • 3 Unit: $735,050
  • 4 Unit: $913,450

Kittitas County:

  • 1 Unit: $328,750
  • 2 Unit: $420,850
  • 3 Unit: $508,700
  • 4 Unit: $632,200

Mason County:

  • 1 Unit: $310,000
  • 2 Unit: $396,850
  • 3 Unit: $497,700
  • 4 Unit: $596,150

San Juan County:

  • 1 Unit: $593,750
  • 2 Unit: $760,100
  • 3 Unit: $918,800
  • 4 Unit: $1,141,850

Skagit County:

  • 1 Unit: $373,750
  • 2 Unit: $478,450
  • 3 Unit: $578,350
  • 4 Unit: $718,750

Thurston County:

  • 1 Unit: $361,250
  • 2 Unit: $462,450
  • 3 Unit: $559,000
  • 4 Unit: $694,700

Whatcom County:

  • 1 Unit: $375,000
  • 2 Unit: $480,050
  • 3 Unit: $580,300
  • 4 Unit: $721,150

Adams, Asotin, Cowlitz, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whakiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima Counties:

  • 1 Unit: $271,051
  • 2 Unit: $347,009
  • 3 Unit: $419,425
  • 4 Unit: $521,250

Related post: 2013 Conforming Loan Limits for Washington State

Filed Under: FHA Tagged With: , ,

HUD extends FHA’s Flipping Waiver through 2014

December 4, 2012 by 1 Comment

HUD recently announced they will extend the “anit-flip waiver” through December 2014. Without this waiver, home buyers would not be able to use FHA financing for homes that are considered being “a flip” ( a property that is quickly resold at a much higher price).

From the Federal Register:

Prior to the waiver, a mortgage was not eligible for FHA insurance if the contract of sale for the purchase of the property that secured the mortgage was executed within 90 days of the prior acquisition by the seller, and the seller did not come under any of the exemptions to this 90-day period specified in the regulation.

Through the regulatory waiver, FHA encourages investors that specialize in acquiring and renovating properties to renovate foreclosed and abandoned homes, with the objective of increasing the availability of affordable homes for first-time and other purchasers, helping to stabilize real estate prices as well as neighborhoods and communities where foreclosure activity has been high. The waiver is applicable to all single family properties being resold within the 90-day period after prior acquisition, and is not limited to foreclosed properties. Additionally, the waiver is subject to certain conditions, and mortgages must meet these conditions to be eligible for the waiver.

The Waiver continues to be limited to sales meeting the following conditions:

  • All transactions must be arms-length, with no identity of interest between the buyer and seller or other parties participating in the sales transaction.
  • In cases in which the sales price of the property is 20 percent or more above the seller’s acquisition cost, the Waiver will only apply if the lender meets specific conditions and documents the justification for the increase in value.
  • Seller must be by the owner of record
  • Property may not have been a repeatedly “flipped” over the past year
  • Property was marketed openly and fairly
  • The Waiver is limited to forward mortgages, and does not apply to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for purchase program. [Reverse Mortgages]

When a home is being resold 20% or higher than what the seller purchased the property for in less than 90 days, often times a second appraisal will be required and the seller will need to show documentation to support the increased value in the home, such as receipts for the improvements made. A property inspection report will also be required by the lender to assure the quality of the improvements made to the property. Any health or safety issues disclosed by the property inspection will need to be corrected.

If a home has been re-sold withing 91-180 days at more at 100% or more than the seller’s acquisition cost, the same conditions will apply.

NOTE: If a second appraisal is required, the home buyer is not allowed to pay for it per HUD. And you can pretty much count on that second appraisal being required. Thanks to LO Comp being passed by the Fed in 2010, your friendly mortgage professional is not allowed to pay for the appraisal either.  

Investors (aka Flippers) who are reselling in a short period of time for a much higher amount than their acquisition cost should be prepared for the cost of the second appraisal when the buyer is using a FHA mortgage for financing. They should also retain detailed records of improvements (including all receipts) when they’re planning to quickly resale a home. The seller’s acquisition cost is the sales price of the home, plus the seller’s closing cost, including real estate commissions. It does not include any repairs. 

If you are considering buying a home located anywhere in Washington State, I’m happy to help you! Click here for a mortgage rate quote for homes located anywhere in Washington.  I’ve been originating home loans at Mortgage Master Service Corporation since April 2000, including FHA insured loans.

Filed Under: FHA, Residential Purchase Tagged With: , ,

FHA Mortgage Insurance Increasing in 2013

November 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Last week I shared with you part of HUD’s plan to no longer allow FHA mortgage insurance premiums to terminate to help improve their financial stability. This would be effective for loans guaranteed by HUD in 2013. 

HUD also announced in their report to Congress, their plans to increase the MIP (mortgage insurance premiums) paid on FHA insured loans by an additional 0.10 basis points (or 0.1% of the loan amount). From HUD’s press release:

In 2013, enact an increase of 10 basis points or 0.1 percent to the annual insurance premium paid by borrowers on new FHA loans. This premium increase is expect to add $13 per month for the average borrower and will strengthen FHA’s capital position without limiting access to credit for qualified borrowers.

In the greater Seattle area (King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties), the FHA loan limit (as of today) for a 1-unit single family dwelling is $567,500.  An increase of 0.1% for this loan amount would cost an FHA borrower an additional $47.29 per month.

If you are considering an FHA mortgage for your refinance, I highly recommend you do so as soon as possible while your mortgage insurance premiums may still be cancelled instead of for the life of the loan AND before the mortgage insurance premiums are increased.

If your home is located anywhere in Washington state, where I am licensed to originate mortgages, I can help you! 

Filed Under: FHA, Mortgage Insurance Tagged With: , , ,

FHA Mortgage Insurance to remain on loans FOREVER

November 20, 2012 by 11 Comments

HUD has announced in their Annual Report to Congress Regarding Financial Status of the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund Fiscal Year 2012, their plan to revise the cancellation of FHA mortgage insurance premiums. This is set to go in effect on new FHA insured mortgages sometime in 2013. 

From HUD’s report:

Under a policy change made in 2001, FHA has been cancelling required mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs) on loans for which the outstanding principal balance reaches less than 78% of the original principal balance. However, FHA remains responsible for insuring 100% of the unpaid principal balance of a loan for the entire life of the loan, such loan life often extending far beyond the cessation of the MIP payments. As written, the timing of MIP cancellation is directly tied to the contract mortgage rate, not the actual loan LTV. The current policy was put in place at a time when it was assumed that home price values would not decline, but today we know that LTV measured by appraised value in a declining market can mean that the actual LTVs are far lower than amortized mortgage LTV, resulting in higher losses for FHA on defaulted loans. Analyses conducted by FHA’s Office of Risk Management projects lost revenue by approximately $10 billion in the 2010-2012 vintages as a result of the current cancellation policy. The same analyses also suggest that 10%-12% of all claims losses will occur after MIP cancellation. Therefore, beginning with new loans endorsed after the policy change becomes effective later in FY 2013, FHA will once again collect premiums on FHA loans for the entire period during which they are insured, permitting FHA to retain significant revenue that is currently being forfeited prematurely.

With FHA running out of funds, they are having to take measures to protect this mortgage program. You can also expect to see mortgage insurance premiums (upfront and annual) to increase in addition to FHA mortgage premiums remaining on the life of the loan. 

What does this impact you?

If you currently have an FHA mortgage, your mortgage insurance premium that you pay monthly is still set to drop off (cancel) once your principal balance reaches 78% of the loan to value and a minimum of 60 mortgage payments have been made. 

However, if you currently have an FHA mortgage in the mid-to-high 4% range and you have been considering an FHA streamlined refinance, you need to act quickly. 

If you are considering buying a home and you are planning on using FHA for financing, be prepared to have the FHA mortgage insurance remain on the loan until you either sell the home or can refinance to  a conventional mortgage.

If you are interested in buying or refinancing a home anywhere in Washington state, I’m happy to help you!

Filed Under: FHA, Mortgage Insurance Tagged With: ,

HUD’s Net Tangible Benefit Requirement is Hampering FHA Streamline Refinances

November 18, 2012 by 1 Comment

HUD has a requirement that in order for a borrower to do a streamline refinance their  existing FHA mortgage, their scenario must have a “net tangible benefit”. FHA streamline refinances are popular today because they do not require an appraisal and FHA mortgage rates are very low.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: FHA Tagged With: , , ,

FHA Streamlined Refinance: Credit vs Non-Credit Qualifying

July 25, 2012 by 10 Comments

With an FHA streamlined refi, most folks have the misconception due to the program name “streamlined” that the refinances are close very quickly and are a slam dunk with little to no paperwork. While they do close quicker than a typical refinance since more often than not, you’re not waiting on an appraisal, if you’re going for a lower cost or better rate, you’re probably opting for a “credit qualifying” FHA streamlined refi. What’s the difference?

FHA streamlined credit qualifying basically means that the borrower is providing income and asset documents, just like a regular refinance. By providing documentation that shows they actually qualify for the new mortgage, lenders provide preferred pricing. Since it is a “manual” underwrite (a real human is underwriting the loan and not a computer program) the debt to income ratio is limited to 45%.

FHA streamlined non-credit qualifying is when income documentation is not provided and not stated on the loan application. The borrower’s income is not a consideration. Because of the higher risk, the rate or pricing is often slightly higher.

EDITORS NOTE: Rates quoted below are expired (years old!!)…for a current mortgage rate quote for your home in Washington state, click here.

Right now (July 25, 2012 at 11:00 am) I’m working on a quote for an FHA streamlined refinance for a home located in Seattle. The rates quoted below are based on mid credit scores of 680 –  720 with no appraisal and the base loan amount is $289,000.

FHA credit qualifying 30 year fixed: 3.375% (apr 4.548) priced with just over 1 point in rebate credit which will cover closing cost and some of the prepaids/reserves. Principal and interest payment is $1300.01.

FHA non-credit qualifying 30 year fixed: 3.750% (apr 4.934) priced just under 1 point (about 0.25% difference in fee) which covers closing cost and some of the prepaids/reserves. Principal and interest payment is $1361.82.

NOTE: for a current rate quote on a home located anywhere in Washington state, based on today’s pricing and your scenario, click here.

What type of supporting documentation is required?  This is in additional to a complete loan application and credit report.

Non-credit qualifying:

  • Copy of your existing mortgage Note
  • Copy of your mortgage statement (we need to document a “Net Tangible Benefit”)
  • Bank statement (all pages) if funds are due at closing. Large deposits may be required to be documented.
  • Drivers license
  • Social security card
  • Payoff obtained from escrow company documenting that the current month’s mortgage payment has been made

Credit qualifying: all the above, plus…

  • last two years W2s
  • last two years tax returns (if self employed)
  • most recent paystubs documenting 30 days of income
  • most recent bank statements (all pages) documenting at least funds for closing. Large deposits may be required to be documented.

Additional documentation may be required depending on your personal scenario.

Whether you opt for non-credit qualifying or credit qualifying is your choice and depends on your financial scenario. When rates and pricing are the same for both scenarios, most would opt for “non-credit” qualifying. Since recent changes with how HUD prices FHA mortgage insurance for some loans, there has been major changes with which banks are offering FHA streamlines and how they’re pricing them.

If I can help you refinance your FHA loan on your home located anywhere in Washington state, please contact me.

Filed Under: FHA, Refinance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Should I do an FHA streamline refi if my rate is 4.875%?

July 6, 2012 by 18 Comments

This is a scenario I’m reviewing for one of my clients who lives in Seattle.  His existing mortgage is a 30 year fixed FHA at 4.875%. He closed on this loan after June 1, 2009 so it does not qualify for FHA’s reduced mortgage insurance premiums*. However, he can still take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates as long as the refi meets HUD’s “net tangible benefit” requirements of reducing his payment by at least 5%.

HUD’s Net Tangible Benefit requires that the “PIMI” (principal, interest and mortgage insurance) payment be reduced by at least five percent or the refinance cannot happen. This has been an issue for home owners who would like to refinance from their FHA 30 year fixed to an FHA 15 year fixed as HUD does not make an exception for those who would like to shorten their mortgage term if the payment increases — even if the borrower qualifies with documenting their income (some FHA streamlines do not require income to be documented). 

The Seattle client I’m working with is doing a “credit qualifying” FHA streamline refi for a 30 year fixed.  His current principal and interest is $1171.55 and the monthly mortgage insurance payment is $95.90 for a total PIMI payment of $1,267.45.  His new PIMI payment needs to be less by at least 5% ($63.37) which means his new PIMI needs to be $1,204.08 or lower.

As of 10:00 am this morning (July 6, 2012) I’m quoting 3.375% for a 30 year fixed FHA streamline refi with no appraisal (apr 4.554) with a base loan amount of $212,750.  After his upfront mortgage insruance premium credit from his existing FHA insured loan and interest rate credit, he’ll need to bring in about $1200 at closing. He won’t have a mortgage payment due until a month after closing and receiving a refund of his existing reserve account balance a couple weeks after closing.  

But what about the new PIMI?  Principal and interest is $957.01 and the monthly mortgage insurance is $210.85 for a total PIMI of $1,167.86.  The new refinance meets HUD’s net tangible benefit requirement.  

The Seattle homeowner is reducing their payment by $100 per month. **And after 60 payments and when the loan balance reaches 78% loan to value, the monthly mortgage insurance will terminate.  

**UPDATE 12/19/2012: FHA mortgage insurance will not be cancelled on new mortgages effective January 2013. It will remain on the life of the loan (until it is paid off or refinanced to a non-FHA mortgage).** Read more here.

*NOTE: If the FHA mortgage being refi’d was endorsed by HUD prior to June 1, 2009, the savings would be even greater as it would qualify for reduced mortgage insurance.

If you have an FHA insured mortgage and are interested in an FHA streamlined refinance on your home located anywhere in Washington, please contact me.  I’m happy to help you!

Filed Under: FHA, Refinance Tagged With: , ,

Has your Bank turned down your refi?

July 5, 2012 by 1 Comment

IStock_000014142621XSmallIn a time when one might assume that their bank would work with them to refinance their home, many Washington homeowners are finding quite the opposite. I’m hearing from local homeowners who have made their mortgage payments on time and who qualify for refinance (income, employment and assets) yet their bank is either unwilling to provide the refinance or is taking several months to close it.

For example, several large banks will only do FHA streamline refinances on mortgages they currently service.  You can have your checking and savings accounts any of these banks, but if they don’t currently service your mortgage, it’s my understanding they will not assist you with your FHA streamlined refinance.  NOTE: We can help you refinancing your FHA streamlined mortgage from any bank as long as your home is located in Washington.  

Banks are also being very selective when it comes to HARP 2.0 (home affordable) refinances. Some are electing not to help mortgages they currently service because of lpmi (lender paid mortgage insurance) or pmi when many of these loans are eligible to refinance. 

Bottom line, if your bank or mortgage servicer has turned down your refinance (or if they’re stalling the process) and your credit, income and assets are good: get a second opinion.  

If your home is located anywhere in Washington state, I’m happy to review your scenario. I’ve been originating and closing refinance and purchase mortgages at Mortgage Master Service Corporation since April 2000. 

Filed Under: FHA, HARP - Home Affordable Refi, Refinance Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »