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"Striking the right balance between managing the FHA's risk, continuing to provide access to underserved communities, and supporting the nation's economic recovery is critically important," said FHA Commissioner David Stevens.

FHA provides mortgage insurance on loans made by FHA-approved lenders. While borrowers must meet certain requirements established by FHA to qualify for the insurance, lenders bear less risk because FHA will pay the lender if a homeowner defaults on his or her loan.

The New Rules:
FHA-insured mortgages are attractive to borrowers because down payments are only 3.5%. That won't change under the new policies the FHA announced which are to take effect in spring or early summer. Among them:
- Borrowers will have to have a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for a 3.5% down payment. Those with lower scores will have to make at least a 10% down payment. The average credit score of FHA-insured borrowers is 693.

- Allowable seller concessions will be reduced from 6% to 3% of the sale price. The change is intended to discourage inflated appraisals. On many home transactions the seller agrees to pay the closing costs of the buyer.

- buyers will have to pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 2.25% of the total loan amount, up from 1.75% now. A $150,000 mortgage would require a payment of $3,375, or $750 more.

What It Means To Everyone! The general rule is: if someone cant' get financing to buy your home when you decide to sell, it's going to be difficult. To the extent that financing is available and markets function normally you have a better shot at selling. Even with these changes, FHA lending still will remain the largest source of home purchase financing.
These changes are designed to improve FHA's financial position and will ensure its long-term ability to guarantee affordable mortgages for families.  In the end these changes are also designed to engage borrowers who can reasonably afford a mortgage. From what we have seen in the recent past, guidelines that were lowered to promote homeownership backfired. This scenario is well reflected in the Foreclosure problems now sweeping the marketplace.

Brought to you by Randy Charlton of Century 21 Home Realtors.