FHA loans

An FHA loan is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The FHA does not loan money to borrowers, rather, it provides lenders protection through mortgage insurance (MIP) in case the borrower defaults on his or her loan obligations. Available to all buyers, FHA loan programs are designed to help creditworthy low-income and moderate-income families who do not meet requirements for conventional loans.

FHA loan programs are particularly beneficial to those buyers with less available cash. The rates on FHA loans are generally market rates, while down payment requirements are lower than for conventional loans.

Some of the other benefits of FHA financing:

• Only a 3 percent down payment is required.
• Closing costs can be financed.
• Lower monthly mortgage insurance premiums and, under certain conditions, automatic cancellation of the premium.
• More flexible underwriting criteria than conventional loans
• FHA limits the amount lenders can charge for some closing cost fees (e.g. the origination fee can be no more than 1% of mortgage).
• Loans are assumable to qualified buyers.

VA Loans

VA guaranteed loans are made by lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home. The guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if you fail to repay the loan. In most cases, no down payment is required on a VA guaranteed loan and the borrower usually receives a lower interest rate than is ordinarily available with other loans.

Other benefits of a VA loan include:

• Negotiable interest rates.
• Closing costs are comparable and sometimes lower - than other financing types.
• No private mortgage insurance requirement.
• Right to prepay loan without penalties
• The Mortgage can be taken over (or assumed) by the buyer when a home is sold.
• Counseling and assistance available to veteran borrowers having financial difficulty or facing default on their loan.

Although mortgage insurance is not required, the VA charges a funding fee to issue a guarantee to a lender against borrower default on a mortgage. The fee may be paid in cash by the buyer or seller, or it may be financed in the loan amount.

A VA loan can be used to buy a home, build a home and even improve a home with energy-saving features such as solar or heating/cooling systems, water heaters, insulation, weather-stripping/caulking, storm windows/doors or other energy efficient improvements approved by the lender and VA.

Veterans can apply for a VA loan with any mortgage lender that participates in the VA home loan program. A Certificate of Eligibility from the VA must be presented to the lender to qualify for the loan.

The best of both worlds

Today homebuyers are in a unique position to combine the benefits of a fixed rate mortgage with the savings opportunities of an adjustable rate mortgage.With a hybrid loan (also called a fixed-period ARM or hybrid ARM) you get the best of both worlds.

A hybrid loan gives you a fixed rate term, usually three, five, seven or ten years, with adjustable rates thereafter.These loans are typically expressed as a 3/1, 5/1, 7/1 or 10/1 ARM. The first number represents the number of years the rates are fixed. The second number indicates the adjustment interval (how often the interest rate will change). For a 7/1 loan, the fixed period is seven years with annual interest rate adjustments thereafter.

The advantage of a hybrid loan is that it gives you a lower fixed rate mortgage than you’ll typically receive with a 30 year mortgage. This is often an attractive loan choice for borrowers who expect to be selling their home within the first 10 years. You’ll get the advantage of a lower fixed rate while you’re living in the home. And if your plans remain steady, the adjustable rate wouldn’t be due until after you plan to move.

Hybrid loans are also an attractive loan choice for borrowers who want an ARM, but feel the need for added interest rate protection during their first years in the home. 

Whether you plan to move within 10 years or you’d like the added rate protection a hybrid loan affords, we’ll be glad to help you find the best loan program to meet your needs.  We look forward to helping you!