Down Payment Requirements on a FHA Loan

Did you know that nearly half of all first time home buyers say that the easy down-payment requirement was the number one reason why the borrowers choose FHA to finance their house? One of the often cited benefits of financing with an FHA home loan is that the down payment requirements are much lower than those that are found with non-FHA home loans. Often, lenders will require prospective home buyers to pay a down payment of around 20% of the overall cost of their home outright before closing, and this amount can be a tough number for many home buyers to achieve. For a $100,000 home, this means $20,000 needs to be paid up front, and this number is one that will often take months or years for a person or couple to save up for. However, with an FHA home loan, down payments are significantly lower, and they can reach rates as low as 3.5% for buyers who have high credit scores.

A person applying for an FHA home loan who has a high credit score can achieve exceptionally low down payment rates, making the option of an FHA home loan a very attractive one. While they may be required to pay much more for a non-FHA home loan, the down payment number they have with an FHA home loan is far more affordable and will not require the same amount of saving, allowing them more convenience when looking to close on their home. Many of those looking to buy a home with an FHA home loan will find that they qualify for the 3.5% down payment rate, even if their credit proves to be mediocre.

However, a person with lower credit, or no credit, could find themselves needing to pay a higher amount for their down payment than a person who has a moderate or high credit score. The 3.5% down payment rate can increase according to a person's creditworthiness, but the benefit of an FHA home loan still stands as they will be able to acquire the loan they may not otherwise be granted. FHA home loans are often given to those who have low credit scores, credit blemishes, or no credit at all, where the benefit of a home loan may not be granted by other lenders to such borrowers.

Preferred Loan Type Select ---------------> Mortgage Refinance Cash Out Refinance Home Equity New Home Purchase Property Type Select One-----------> Single-Family Detached Condominium Cooperative Multi-Family Dwelling Modular Mobile Home Manufactured Home Property Value Select One-----------> 1st Time Buyer 75,000 - 80,000 80,000 - 85,000 85,000 - 90,000 90,000 - 95,000 95,000 - 100,000 100,000 - 105,000 105,000 - 110,000 110,000 - 115,000 115,000 - 120,000 120,000 - 125,000 125,000 - 130,000 130,000 - 135,000 135,000 - 140,000 140,000 - 145,000 145,000 - 150,000 150,000 - 155,000 155,000 - 160,000 160,000 - 165,000 165,000 - 170,000 170,000 - 175,000 175,000 - 180,000 180,000 - 185,000 185,000 - 190,000 190,000 - 195,000 195,000 - 200,000 200,000 - 205,000 205,000 - 210,000 210,000 - 215,000 215,000 - 220,000 220,000 - 225,000 225,000 - 230,000 230,000 - 235,000 235,000 - 240,000 240,000 - 245,000 245,000 - 250,000 250,000 - 255,000 255,000 - 260,000 260,000 - 265,000 265,000 - 270,000 270,000 - 275,000 275,000 - 280,000 280,000 - 285,000 285,000 - 290,000 290,000 - 295,000 295,000 - 300,000 300,000 - 305,000 305,000 - 310,000 310,000 - 315,000 315,000 - 320,000 320,000 - 325,000 325,000 - 330,000 330,000 - 335,000 335,000 - 340,000 340,000 - 345,000 345,000 - 350,000 350,000 - 355,000 355,000 - 360,000 360,000 - 365,000 365,000 - 370,000 370,000 - 375,000 375,000 - 380,000 380,000 - 385,000 385,000 - 390,000 390,000 - 395,000 395,000 - 400,000 400,000 - 405,000 405,000 - 410,000 410,000 - 415,000 415,000 - 420,000 420,000 - 425,000 425,000 - 430,000 430,000 - 435,000 435,000 - 440,000 440,000 - 445,000 445,000 - 450,000 450,000 - 455,000 455,000 - 460,000 460,000 - 465,000 465,000 - 470,000 470,000 - 475,000 475,000 - 480,000 480,000 - 485,000 485,000 - 490,000 490,000 - 495,000 495,000 - 500,000 500,000 - 505,000 505,000 - 510,000 510,000 - 515,000 515,000 - 520,000 520,000 - 525,000 525,000 - 530,000 530,000 - 535,000 535,000 - 540,000 540,000 - 545,000 545,000 - 550,000 550,000 - 555,000 555,000 - 560,000 560,000 - 565,000 565,000 - 570,000 570,000 - 575,000 575,000 - 580,000 580,000 - 585,000 585,000 - 590,000 590,000 - 595,000 595,000 - 600,000 600,000 - 605,000 605,000 - 610,000 610,000 - 615,000 615,000 - 620,000 620,000 - 625,000 625,000 - 630,000 630,000 - 635,000 635,000 - 640,000 640,000 - 645,000 645,000 - 650,000 650,000 - 655,000 655,000 - 660,000 660,000 - 665,000 665,000 - 670,000 670,000 - 675,000 675,000 - 680,000 680,000 - 685,000 685,000 - 690,000 690,000 - 695,000 695,000 - 700,000 700,000 - 705,000 705,000 - 710,000 710,000 - 715,000 715,000 - 720,000 720,000 - 725,000 725,000 - 730,000 730,000 - 735,000 735,000 - 740,000 740,000 - 745,000 745,000 - 750,000 750,000 - 755,000 755,000 - 760,000 760,000 - 765,000 765,000 - 770,000 770,000 - 775,000 775,000 - 780,000 780,000 - 785,000 785,000 - 790,000 790,000 - 795,000 795,000 - 800,000 Over 800,000 Credit Rating Select ---------------> Excellent Good Fair Poor

These low down payment rates allow home buyers to close on their home faster, as their down payment will take less time to save up for. A more affordable down payment rate also makes home ownership a reality for some who may otherwise find it difficult to save the necessary down payment amount required by other non-FHA lenders.