A new option that should be available by fall of this year will allow borrowers current on their mortgages to execute short refinances into FHA loans, assuming the original loan is not FHA-insured.
In fact, the new loan must NOT be owned or guaranteed by the FHA, VA, or the USDA. So essentially only those with conventional loans need apply.
Loans eligible for refinancing via the FHA short refinance program include Alt-A loans, subprime loans, fixed-rate loans, ARMs, and loans of all documentation types.
The new FHA loan must have a balance no greater than 97.75 percent of the value of the home, and the total loan-to-value (including any second mortgages) cannot exceed 115 percent after the refinancing.
At the same time, the minimum write-down by the mortgage lender must be 10 percent of the unpaid balance of the original loan.
For manually underwritten loans, the total monthly payment, including any second mortgages, must not be greater than 31/50 or 35/48 debt-to-income, though the borrower should benefit from both a reduced balance and a reduced interest rate thanks to the current low-rate environment.
Borrowers who choose the FHA short refinance option can go with a fixed-rate mortgage or an ARM.
Homeowner eligibility for the FHA short refinance program is as follows:
– Homeowners must be current on existing mortgage payment (unless the borrower successfully completes a 3-month trial payment plan)
– Homeowner must occupy the home as a primary residence
– Homeowner must be underwater on existing mortgage(s)
– Homeowner must have a FICO score of at least 500
– Homeowner must meet standard FHA underwriting requirements
– Existing lenders/investors must agree to a principal write-down
– Condos and 1-4 unit properties are eligible
– Not eligible if convicted of felony larceny, theft, fraud, forgery, money laundering or tax evasion in connection with a mortgage/real estate transaction within last 10 years
Borrowers who execute an FHA short refinance should expect to see their credit score negatively impacted as with any other loan forgiveness.
And the standard FHA mortgage insurance premium structure will apply to the new FHA loans.
To increase lender participation, incentives for immediate write-downs of underwater second mortgages will be offered, based on the loan-to-value.
To fund the program, up to $14 billion in TARP funds will be used – FHA will publish data on the number of short refinance loans, the average percentage written down, and the quantity of principal reduced quarterly.
If interested, contact your existing lender/servicer or any FHA-approved lender for more information. The program is expected to be offered until December 31, 2014.
Tip: If you already have an FHA loan, you can refinance an underwater mortgage via the FHA streamline refinance program.
Do they check income. My husband just switched jobs.?
Lenders verify employment but if the new job is in the same line of work with no payment decrease it may not be an issue.