FHA Loan Requirements

What Are the Requirements for an FHA Loan?

FHA loans are popular with homebuyers because they help people with low to moderate incomes buy and refinance homes. Specific eligibility requirements exist to qualify for an FHA home loan however. When applying you will need to:

• Have a steady income.
• Show that you have established credit. This could include credit cards or any loan such as a car loan or student loan.
• Have an acceptable debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which defines how much debt you have compared to how much you earn in income.
• Have no delinquencies that disqualify you from the program. For example, individuals who are currently delinquent on an FHA-insured mortgage or federal tax debt are ineligible for an FHA loan.
• Be able to make a down payment.
• Meet FHA property requirements for health, safety, and structural soundness.
• Provide Social Security number, pay stubs, and W-2 forms as necessary.

An FHA loan can be a great option for those who may not be able to afford a home through a Conventional mortgage. Here are more requirements you'll want to understand before you apply.

FHA Loan Income Requirements

No minimum income amount is required to be approved for an FHA loan. People applying for FHA mortgages are typically required to demonstrate they have a steady income and can make their monthly payments. These payments include monthly mortgage insurance premiums that you may have to pay throughout the life of the loan.

FHA Loan Debt-to-Income Requirements

Lenders use debt-to-income ratios for home loans (DTI) to help them decide if a person can afford to pay back money they borrow. DTI is calculated by dividing a person's total monthly debt payments by their monthly gross income to get a percentage. The lower the percentage, the more likely it is a lender may decide to approve the mortgage. FHA loans typically allow a DTI of up to 43%.

FHA Loan Down Payment Requirements

With an FHA loan, you can purchase a home with a down payment as low as 3.5%. This is a big benefit, especially for first-time homebuyers who may not have cash on hand for a larger down payment. You typically need to have a credit score of 580 or better to qualify for a lower 3.5% down payment with an FHA loan.

FHA Loan Property Requirements

You can only use an FHA loan to buy a house where you intend to live (this is also called a "primary residence"). You can't buy a vacation home or an investment property with an FHA loan, and in most cases, you can only buy one house at a time with these loans. Also FHA loan limits cap the total amount of money you can borrow with an FHA loan.

To qualify for an FHA loan, the house must meet certain health and safety standards during the appraisal. These standards include requirements related to toxic chemicals, excessive noise, and flood risk. The house itself must also meet standards for structural soundness, and the foundation, roof, mechanical systems, heating, doors and windows, and more will also be checked.¹.

FHA Loan Refinance Requirements

The requirements for refinancing your existing FHA home loan with the FHA streamline program are often simpler compared to buying a home with an FHA loan. You need to receive a real benefit from refinancing, typically by lowering your interest rate. You need to have had your current loan for a minimum of six months. You must be up to date on your mortgage payments and have a recent history of paying your monthly mortgage bills on time. In addition, at least 210 days must have passed from the closing date of the mortgage being refinanced.

The streamline program does not require a home appraisal or income verification. It also has more flexible credit and debt-to-income requirements. At Freedom Mortgage, we can help FHA homeowners refinance their homes with easy credit qualifications. Learn more about the FHA streamline refinance program. By refinancing, the total finance charges may be higher over the life of the loan.

Freedom Mortgage is a top FHA lender in the United States according to Inside Mortgage Finance, Jan.–Sep., 2024.

Last reviewed and updated October 2024 by Freedom Mortgage.