FHA financing has become very popular over the last few years, as it offers a way for home buyers to purchase a home with only 3.5% cash out of pocket. Dramatic changes to FHA were just enacted and some are still pending to be enacted in the next 3 months.
•1. As of today there is no longer 3 months seasoning for investor properties. Let me explain...... If you buy a home as an investor, you can sell that property the next day for the appraised value......as long as that value does not exceed 20% above your purchase price.
•2. Increase MIP up front Fee for FHA loans in the next months, It appears FHA upfront MIP will increase from 1.75% to 2.25%.
•3. Seller's concession "help" is slated to be reduced from 6% to 3%.
•4. No loan under 580 FICO will be done with FHA in the future.
•5. 580 to 619 FICO will be required to have a 10% down payment (most lenders already will not take a loan under 620 FICO)
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
If you are on the fence about buying a home, this should make it even more enticing to purchase before the Spring of 2010. The tax credit will end for any contract signed after April 30th 2010; your buyer will not be able to get 6% sellers help, but rather 3%. This will probably take affect in early spring.