Government loan programs - FHA- VA- USDA Rural Housing

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 3.5 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.

USDA Loans

USDA Loans are offered through the Rural Housing Division of the US Department of Agriculture. USDA Loans were created to facilitate housing and development in America's rural areas. The USDA offers mortgage loans so that those people are not forced to move and can afford housing in the rural areas they want to live in. USDA Rural Development loans are one of the last remaining 100% financing programs left. The government offers the zero money down option so that rural borrowers, who may be renting, can have access to affordable mortgages. That is why the USDA does not require any down payment on their rural housing mortgage loans. USDA Rural Development loans are the perfect way to finance your rural property without coming up with a down payment.

Some of the USDA Loan program highlights include:

• 100% Financing - No Down Payment Required
• No Mortgage Insurance
• No Cash Reserves Required
• Low Fixed Rates
• Unrestricted Gifts
• Loans to $417,000
• Purchase or Refinance
• Excellent Credit Not Required

Along with the benefits above any closing costs and prepaid expenses not covered by the seller can be financed in, if the appraisal supports it, with a USDA Rural Housing Loan.

Another great feature is that 100% of repairs to the property may be financed into a loan based on "after repair value". That's right, USDA Rural Housing Loans can be RENOVATION loans as well. You can even use USDA Rural Housing Loans to purchase land and finance new construction! USDA Loans are, quite possibly, the best loan product on the market.