SUBJECT: Increase in Upfront Premiums for FHA Mortgage Insurance
Effective for FHA loans for which the case number is assigned on or after April 5, 2010, FHA will collect an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 2.25 percent. This policy change will increase premiums for purchase money and refinance transactions, including FHA-to-FHA credit-qualifying and non-credit qualifying streamlined refinance transactions.

 

Since UFMIP is financed, that means that on a $200,000 loan, after closing you will owe $204,500 instead of $203,500. So if you have been waiting for that house to come down another $1,000 in price, maybe this increase should be considered before waiting.

Also, if you have been waiting for the rate to fall just a bit more before you took advantage of FHA’s Streamline Refinance program, this increase in premium applies there as well. Now may be the right time for you to get off of the fence and get your application started before this takes effect.

Contact Me

If I can help with pre-approval or getting the loan done for you, give me (Fred Chamberlin) a call at 541-342-7576/541-221-3455 cell or let’s get together at my office, Alpine Mortgage Planning, 1200 Executive Pkwy., Ste. 100, Eugene OR 97401. I am always reachable by e-mail.

One More Reason to Buy Your Eugene/Springfield FHA Home Now is a post from: FHA Loans Oregon

Question: Do I Have to Pay Earnest Money or Other Deposits in Order to Submit a Contract for a GNND Home?

Answer: Yes. The amount of the earnest money deposit required is an amount equal to one percent of the list price, but no less than $500 and no more than $2,000. HUD considers all offers to be a commitment to purchase a home if you are awarded the sale. Therefore, please carefully consider your offer and be aware of HUD’s policy on earnest money as stated here: If an offer is accepted, the earnest money deposit will be credited to the purchaser at closing. If the offer is rejected, the earnest money deposit will be returned. Earnest money deposits are subject to total forfeiture for failure of the participant to close a sale.

Question: Can I Bargain with HUD on the Price of a GNND Property?

Answer: No. You must offer the exact HUD list price when bidding on any GNND property. Then you get a 50 percent discount off of that list price.

Question: What if I Leave the employment, that made me eligible, for Any Reason, during the Mandatory 3-year Residency Period?

Answer: Nothing happens, but you must continue to live in the home for the full 36-month mandatory occupancy period. If you move out of the GNND home, you will have to repay HUD on a prorated schedule. In addition, you must certify that it is your good faith intention to remain employed as a law enforcement officer, teacher or firefighter/emergency medical technician for one year beginning with your purchase. Do no attempt to participate in the program if you know in advance that you will not be employed as required for at least one year.

Question: Some Agencies Have Other Homebuying Programs. Can the GNND Program Work in Conjunction with These?

Answer: Yes, as long as you can meet all the GNND program rules while participating in these other programs.

Question: What Happens if a Participant Fails to Honor the 3-year Occupancy Requirement?

Answer: HUD can demand repayment of the discounted amount on a prorated basis. That means you would have to repay 1/36th of the discount you received for each month that you did not occupy the home. HUD also may initiate administrative sanctions including, but not limited to, barring the officer from participating in any HUD/FHA programs, as well as other federal programs. In any case of fraud or abuse, HUD will refer the case to HUD’s Office of the Inspector General for investigation and possible criminal prosecution. HUD may also notify the officer’s employing agency. Criminal prosecution and conviction for fraud and abuse concerning the GNND Program can result in a fine of up to $250,000 and/or two years in federal prison.

Question: How Does HUD Enforce the 3-year Residency Requirement?

Answer: The participant must certify he or she is living in the GNND home as a sole residence at the time of purchase and each year after that. HUD can conduct spot checks to make sure the GNND home is your sole residence at any time during the 3-year period. You also must sign a note and mortgage for the discount amount. HUD may foreclose this mortgage if you do not comply with the 36-month occupancy requirement.

I already purchased a home under the GNND Program. Where can I get information about my second mortgage?

Information is available on the Good Neighbor Next Door Loan Servicing page.

Contact Me

If I can help with pre-approval or getting the loan done for you, give me (Fred Chamberlin) a call at 541-342-7576/541-221-3455 cell or let’s get together at my office, Alpine Mortgage Planning, 1200 Executive Pkwy., Ste. 100, Eugene OR 97401. I am always reachable by e-mail.

Good Neighbor Next Door FAQs – Part 3 is a post from: FHA Loans Oregon

Question: Can I Sell the GNND Home after 3-years and Keep the Profit?

Answer: Yes. After you live in the GNND home 3 years, you can sell the home and keep any equity and/or appreciation.

Question: Do I Have to Use a Real Estate Broker or Agent to Buy a GNND Home?

Answer: Yes. Specifically, you need to use a Real Estate Broker that is approved with HUD for HUD Home purchases. Contact me if you have questions as to who you can use.

Question: Do I Have to Be a First Time Homebuyer to Take Advantage of the Program?

Answer: No. However, you may not own any other residential real property at the time you submit your offer to purchase a home and for one year previous to that date. For example, if you submit an offer to purchase a home on August 1, 2007, you may not have owned a home during the period from July 31, 2006.

Question: Where Are These Homes Located?

Answer: The HUD homes are located in designated Revitalization Areas. There are hundreds of Revitalization Areas located in the United States. According to the most current list, only Portland has homes that qualify for the GNND program, but that list is constantly updated.

Question: Does HUD Provide a Home Warranty?

Answer: No. All GNND homes are sold “as is,” without any kind of warranty.

Question: Can I Buy Multiple Unit Properties (E.g., Duplexes, Triplexes, Etc.) through the Officer Next Door Program?

Answer: No. You can only buy single unit homes, townhouses, and condominiums through the GNND Program.

Contact me

I will continue this series tomorrow, but in the meantime, take a look at the properties available right now in Portland and check back to the site as these will change often. There is only a five day window when properties are available for the Good Neighbor Next Door purchase program, so keep on it. If I can help with pre-approval or getting the loan done for you, give me (Fred Chamberlin) a call at 541-342-7576/541-221-3455 cell or let’s get together at my office, Alpine Mortgage Planning, 1200 Executive Pkwy., Ste. 100, Eugene OR 97401. I am always reachable by e-mail. Check back tomorrow for the final part of the series.

Good Neighbor Next Door FAQs – Part 2 is a post from: FHA Loans Oregon