FHA

What Is the FHA Streamline Refinance Worksheet and Why Does It Matter? The FHA Streamline Refinance Worksheet is the lender’s mandatory calculation document that determines the maximum loan amount, verifies the net tangible benefit to the borrower, and confirms eligibility for one of the most borrower-friendly refinance programs in the U.S. mortgage market. Every FHA ... Read more

If you have an FHA loan and want to eliminate the mortgage insurance premium, the direct answer is this: for most FHA borrowers who closed after June 3, 2013 with less than 10% down, the only way to remove FHA mortgage insurance is to refinance into a conventional loan. Unlike private mortgage insurance (PMI) on ... Read more

The FHA cash out refinance program remains one of the most accessible equity-access tools for homeowners in 2026, offering more flexible credit standards than conventional cash-out refinances while providing significant equity access through FHA-insured financing. Requirements, Limits, and Strategic Use for Cash Out Refinancing with FHA in 2026 Understanding the FHA cash out max LTV ... Read more

If you bought a home with an FHA loan and are now wondering whether you can rent it out, the answer depends entirely on timing, circumstances, and exceptions. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) program is designed for primary residence ownership — not investment property acquisition and the rules around renting out an FHA home are ... Read more

Yes, FHA loans are assumable. Every FHA loan closed after December 15, 1989 carries an assumability clause, meaning a qualified buyer can take over the seller’s existing FHA mortgage at its original interest rate. The buyer must apply with the lender, meet FHA credit and income standards, and the review must complete within 45 days. ... Read more

By John Tappan | NMLS# 394171  How soon you can refinance a FHA loan depends on which refinance product you choose. The FHA Streamline Refinance requires a 210-day waiting period from your current loan’s closing date, six on-time payments, and at least six months since your first payment due date. The FHA rate-and-term refinance requires ... Read more

An FHA appraisal is valid for 180 days from the appraiser’s effective date. If the loan does not close within that window, the lender can order an appraisal update that extends validity to one full year from the original effective date. This rule comes from HUD’s Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1 and FHA Mortgagee ... Read more

You can get an FHA loan 2 years after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge or 12 months after starting your Chapter 13 trustee payment plan with court approval. The Chapter 7 wait is measured from the discharge date, not the filing date. The Chapter 13 wait does not require discharge — you can qualify while ... Read more

Yes, you can buy a duplex with an FHA loan in 2026. The FHA 203(b) program lets you purchase a 2-unit property with just 3.5% down at a credit score of 580 or higher, as long as you live in one of the two units as your primary residence for at least one year. Duplexes ... Read more