Mortgage Programs

Not all mortgage loans are the same — and choosing the right program can make a significant difference in your payment, qualification, and long-term financial flexibility.

This section covers the most common and specialty mortgage programs available to homebuyers and homeowners, including:

  • FHA Loans
  • VA Loans
  • USDA Loans
  • Conventional & Jumbo Loans
  • HomeReady & Home Possible
  • Down payment assistance programs
  • Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) programs
  • Specialty programs for medical professionals and unique scenarios

Understanding eligibility guidelines, loan limits, credit requirements, and program benefits allows you to compare options strategically rather than relying on headlines or general advice.

As a Mortgage Advisor with over 25 years of experience, I help clients evaluate which program best aligns with their income, assets, and long-term plans.

Explore the programs below to better understand your options.

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: Mortgage Programs Tagged With: , ,

Does Santa qualify for a Reverse Mortgage?

December 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Santahouse

EDITORS NOTE: This post is a re-print of an article that I wrote a couple years ago. With the holidays upon us, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to share this again and also remind my readers that we do offer reverse mortgages. Please visit our updated Reverse Mortgage Guide for Washington State.

If Santa and the Mrs. would like to add a steady tax-free income each month while he’s volunteering, making toys and traveling around the world, he may want to consider how a Reverse Mortgage could benefit their lives. [Read more…]

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