FHA is short for Federal Housing Administration. While FHA loans are geared toward first-time buyers, you do not need to be a first-time buyer to take advantage of this loan program. There are several benefits in selecting an FHA loan over other forms of financing. Easier credit qualifying, lower down payments and lower monthly payments all make FHA an excellent choice for first time buyers.
USDA Loans are offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for people living in rural areas. Like a VA loan, USDA loans are up to 100% financed, pending all requirements are met. USDA Loans used to be considered “farmers loans,” but they have evolved over time. Many buyers looking to purchase a home outside a major metropolitan area can qualify for a USDA Loan. Guidelines for USDA loans can be very specific, and some of the eligibility standards that determine if you qualify include what county and zip code the home resides in, your current income and credit history, as well as the number of dependents you can claim.
The Section 184 Loan Program was designed to provide access to mortgage financing to Native American and Alaskan Native tribal members. Section 184 home loans are guaranteed 100% by the Office of Loan Guarantee with HUD’s Office of Native American Programs. This loan program is only offered by Axia Home Loans in the state of Oklahoma.
A conventional mortgage is a home buyer’s loan that is not guaranteed by the government. It is available through or guaranteed by a private lender or the two government-sponsored enterprises – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
VA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and are available for military personnel, surviving spouses, and veterans. One of the key benefits for this loan is that it offers a zero percent down payment, so service men and women are not required to make a down payment for the loan. These loans can also be up to 100% financed, pending all requirements are met. Usually, these types of home loans are approved fast with minimal red tape. Even if you have less-than-perfect credit, a VA loan might be the best for your financing situation. Other benefits of the VA home loan include it being offered as a fixed-rate or ARM mortgage that never includes monthly Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).
VA Interest Rate Reduction Loan (IRRL) is a is a refinance mortgage loan available to homeowners with existing VA mortgages. Designed to allow homeowners who already hold VA loans to refinance at a lower interest rate, shorten their loan term, or to convert an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) into a fixed-rate mortgage. This program simplifies home refinancing by waiving the documentation typically required, including income and employment verification, credit score validation, and an appraisal of the home.
The FHA 203k loan program is a good fit if you are looking to purchase a home that may need repairs or upgrades. Common repairs issues include damaged roof, broken A/C system, and plumbing problems. It can also be used for upgrades on a home to be purchased, including flooring, painting, new appliances, and more. The FHA 203k loan program allows you to combine the costs of these repairs and upgrades to rehabilitate the property into the home loan.
In addition to streamlining costly repairs for a property, an FHA 203k loan can also be used for modernization of an existing home. This is useful for homeowners who want to update a kitchen or bathroom, build room additions, or other home expansion projects.
Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) typically have lower mortgage rates when compared to traditional fixed rate programs. These rates adjust periodically over time, which can vary based on how long of a mortgage term you take. If you plan on selling or refinancing your home in less than 10 years, an ARM may be one option worth considering. Adjustable Rate Mortgages can be complicated, which is why we recommend working with us if you think this loan program is right for you.
A Construction Perm loan (C/P Loan), is a hybrid loan that allows for a construction period and then, when the construction phase has completed, changes or modifies into a permanent loan. This loan program bridges the gap of construction financing and separate “end loan” (permanent) financing. The C/P Loan helps you avoid having to pay two sets of closing costs since you will only have one closing.
With the C/P Loan, you are not limited to either existing homes (resales) or new homes in a builder’s subdivision. You can choose the location, design and builder of your dream home. It’s even possible to incorporate the purchase of the lot into the C/P Loan program.
Fixed rate loans are offered with most loan programs, including Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA. Fixed rate indicates that your mortgage rate and payment are fixed for the life of your home loan. Fixed rate mortgages typically range from 10 to 30 years.
Foreign National loans are for non-U.S. citizens who want to purchase a home within the United States. Residents from other countries can obtain this type of mortgage if they want to buy a primary or secondary/investment residence. The requirements for a Foreign National loan differ slightly from the standard program guidelines, which is why we suggest
talking to one of our mortgage professionals if you think this program is right for you.
The High Loan-to-Value refinance option provides refinance opportunities to borrowers with existing Fannie Mae mortgages. This program offers refinance options to help lower your interest rate, shorten your loan term, or change from an adjustable to fixed rate mortgage. FHLMC also allows for this option with the Enhanced Relief Refinance.
Jumbo Loans refer to loans in which the financing required exceeds the maximum loan amounts established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). If your loan amount is larger than the FHFA maximum amount, a Jumbo loan may be required to secure the remaining financing that’s required for your loan. Jumbo loans can be set as either adjustable or fixed rate mortgages and have other terms that may apply.
Reverse Mortgages have a variety of requirements in order to qualify. Most importantly, borrowers must be 62 years of age or older and must own the property in order to qualify for a Reverse Mortgage. The largest benefits of a Reverse Mortgage are eliminating mortgage payments and using your home equity to gain access to tax-free money in the form of a loan.
Portfolio loans are loans that are originated and processed by a lender for the lifetime of the loan. The requirements for Portfolio loans differ from government-backed loans, and in general can be less strict than that of other loan programs. A portfolio loan can be beneficial for you if you are seeking non-traditional financing and are unable to qualify with other programs.
