Starting sometime later this year, the monthly cost to carry an FHA-insured mortgage is expected to rise. In a near-unanimous vote, the House of Representatives gave the FHA power to raise the monthly mortgage insurance premiums it charges to its borrowers. Currently, monthly mortgage insurance premiums...

30 Days Left – The Federal Home Buyer Tax Credit Enters Its Home There’s just 30 days remaining to use the federal home buyer tax credit. The credit ranges up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers, and up to $6,500 for existing homeworkers who have lived in their main home for 5 of the last...

Starting Monday, April 5, 2010, getting an FHA mortgage will be more expensive for borrowers. In new guidelines set forth earlier this year, the FHA announced plans to raise additional revenue and reduce the overall risk of its mortgage portfolio. The changes include the following: Increase Upfront...

Don’t forget that the end of the first time home buyer tax credit is in sight, and I have heard nothing about any extensions. Borrowers need to be in contract by April 30 and close by June 30. Seattle Mortgage Rates, Seattle Home Loans, Washington home loans, Washington Mortgage Rates Related...

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced some lending changes. If you or someone you know is considering an FHA loan, some of these changes may affect you. Here’s a brief review of the major changes. Increased mortgage insurance – The mortgage insurance premium (referred to as private mortgage...

The mortgage lending landscape changes a lot.  Rates and guidelines are in constant flux, and it creates preparedness challenges for buyers that aren’t paying in cash. The loan you get today won’t always be the loan you get tomorrow. Because of how frequently bank rules are changing, it...

FHA home loans are federal assistance mortgages made by lenders, and backed by the government. The FHA doesn’t make loans to homeowners — it insures loans made to homeowners by federally-qualified lenders. By all accounts, FHA home loans are surging in popularity. 2006, FHA insured 3.3%...

Consider this a last call for FHA Streamline Refinances.  Starting next Tuesday, the popular rate-lowering program gets strict on borrowers. There’s 5 days left. Under the current streamline refi guidelines, FHA homeowners have minimal program eligibility requirements. FICO scores must be 620...

According to the government, home values edged lower last month. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Home Price Index report shows values down by 0.3 percent from the month prior – the index’s first down month since April. The Home Price Index is based on the value of homes financed...

Beginning November 17, 2009, the FHA will make it harder to qualify for its popular Streamline Refinance program. Available exclusively to homeowners with existing FHA home loans, the streamline program is meant to help homeowners reduce mortgage payments as simply as possible. As such, the program carries...