FHA Loan Limits for Arizona for 2012

I am continually asked what the max loan limits for Arizona are – so here they are and a reference tool for anyone reading this needing it for their state also:

FHA Lan Limits for 2012

Mortgage maximums as of Wednesday December 07, 2011
(15 records were selected, 15 records displayed.)

As always thanks for reading and commenting on my blog: FHA Loan Limits for Arizona for 2012

Mark Taylor | Arizona Home Loans | Blarming | Will You Listen to Me | Arizona Short Sales | Arizona Foreclosures | Arizona FHA Loans | Arizona USDA Loans | Arizona HUD Homes | Ariona VA Loans | Fix My Broken Credit | Arizona Mortgage | Arizona Short Sale | Power Ranch Bank Owned Homes

The Convenience of an FHA Mortgage Calculator

It’s difficult to calculate the loan amounts you will need when it comes to applying for government funded loans like a FHA home loan or VA Home Loan. Mortgage calculators are handy virtual software programs that are designed to help potential home owners come up with mortgage amounts that would suit their needs best. A mortgage calculator, be it an  or some other type, is used by lenders to showcase the various options on the various loan products that they have on offer

FHA Mortgage Calculator

The concept behind a mortgage calculator is simple. Users are required to punch in a certain loan amount (that they can afford) and use it to look for homes that can accommodate their finances the best. Potential borrowers usually look for a home that they can afford on a monthly basis.

However, this is just one of the things that this tool can do for you. Besides coming up with affordable homes, it also allows you to compare the mortgage rates of different homes. One of the first things you should do is to calculate the most sought after home loans out there. One of these happens to be FHA mortgage loans and standard conventional loans. An FHA loan is backed by the Federal Government. Whereas a conventional loan tends to backed by the bank you borrow from using mortgage insurance as a protection and larger down payments to reduce the banks risk.

These two loans are the most common ones that borrowers usually go for. This is because they allow borrowers to secure a home without having to actually purchase it. You can choose any one of these loans provided that you take the time to find out what each of them has on offer. In other words, make sure that you determine which one of these loans would suit your particular mortgage needs the most.  A mortgage and FHA calculator can help you do just that.

Not only will a mortgage calculator tell you what a particular home loan will cost you it will also calculate how much you will have to spend on interest rates. Different types of loans with different interest rates will also differ in their terms and fees. You will need to know what each of them offers in terms of dollars and cents. All you have to do is to input the required info into the mortgage calculator and have your answer.  A fantastic calculator can be found on awesomerates.com at this link: Calculator

If you want to know about the other types of loans you can input in a mortgage calculator (like a VA home loan or FHA Loans you can go to www.facebook.com/markgtaylor or http://activerain.com/blogs/marktaylor

Mark Taylor | Arizona Home Loans | Blarming | Will You Listen to Me | Arizona Short Sales | Arizona Foreclosures | Arizona FHA Loans | Arizona USDA Loans | Arizona HUD Homes | Ariona VA Loans | Fix My Broken Credit | Arizona Mortgage | Arizona Short Sale | Power Ranch Bank Owned Homes

With the economy stuck in a seemingly permanent nosedive, it’s not surprising that many home owners are now looking for possible ways to save their own homes from foreclosures. An FHA loan and VA home loan can only do so much. This is because that is what they are – loans. The real estate market drives home the fact that there is no such thing as free money, a fact that many home owners know all too well. Even VA loans requirements consist of a lot of paperwork to ensure that you pay back the loan in time even if the Veteran’s Association looks favorably upon former members of the military.

Needless to say, home foreclosures are rampant. However home owners can always choose to utilize the FHA short sale process to prevent that from happening if they currently have an FHA loan.

What is a Short Sale?

If the balance owed on property’s loan falls short than the actual sales proceeds, then that sale is considered as a short sale. A short sale is often deemed necessary when a borrower is unable to pay off the mortgage on a property. At this instance, the lender agrees that the property would be better sold off at a loss than not at all instead of confronting the borrower for the rest of the initial sales price. In other words, lenders feel inclined to resort to such measures since they feel that their borrowers might not be able to pay the full amount of the agreement anyway. This also prevents any foreclosures on the borrower’s home.

However, just because lenders can do so does not mean that they let borrowers get off scott free. They may still obliged to pay the remaining (albeit reduced) balance on their mortgage loans. However under a FHA Short Sale this will not be the case!

FHA Short Sales

One of the most convenient uses of an FHA home loan is the FHA short sale options that come with it. The reason they are so convenient is because they are regulated by a systemized process that is regulated by the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development).  Lenders are also supposed to conform to these policies. This short sale process is called the FHA Preforeclosure Sales Program

If you have used a FHA home loan and need to use an FHA short sale you need to know that you should already be occupying the home at the time of the short sale. This policy can be waived if you are unable to live in the property because of some (valid) reason such as forced relocation.

If you happen to live in Arizona or California or know someone who does and needs an FHA short sale you can go to www.azshortsalesdoneright.com. click this link and look for the FHA PreForeclosure Program link on the left and get all the forms and process planning that you and your agent will need to complete a successful FHA Short Sale

The Good News about a PFS is that it can be a very simple, streamlined, and more dignified process than a traditional short sale resulting in a very quick process with very little buyer fallout. Thanks for reading my article on Should you go for an FHA Short Sale?

Mark Taylor | Arizona Home Loans | Blarming | Will You Listen to Me | Arizona Short Sales | Arizona Foreclosures | Arizona FHA Loans | Arizona USDA Loans | Arizona HUD Homes | Ariona VA Loans | Fix My Broken Credit | Arizona Mortgage | Arizona Short Sale | Power Ranch Bank Owned Homes

The FHA, or Federal Housing Administration, has the responsibility of promoting home ownership through various programs. The procedures usually require that buyers set aside a small down payment in order to purchase a home. This can come in pretty handy for potential buyers that are strapped for cash but cannot come up with the money in time.

What is an FHA Loan?

FHA loans are mortgage loans that are insured against any default by the FHA. These particular types of loans ensure that a lender won’t have to write off a loan if a borrower happens to default on it. In other words, the FHA will pay off the lender if the borrower does end up defaulting.

FHA home loans are the reason that many lenders are willing to provide potential buyers or borrowers with large mortgage loans. They haven’t got anything to worry about after all. The FHA has their back if a buyer happens to hightail it without paying off his/her debt.

Why Are FHA Home Loans so Convenient?

The fact that your loan gets secured by the Federal Housing Association is just one of the many advantages that come with securing an FHA loans Some of the many benefits include the following –

1. The best part about these loans is that they only require you to put down 3.5 percent of the actual purchase price as the down payment. This is way better than the 5 to 10 percent down payments that conventional loans require.
2. FHA home loans come with very low interest rates as compared to lower-down-payments conventional loan programs offer. You are charged less because the government backed insurance lowers any risk on the lender.
3. The FHA accepts down payments from almost any source no matter whether your funds happen to be from charity, gifts or a down payment program funded by the city government. Most traditional loan programs insist that your down payments be from your own personal savings.

However, just because FHA loans make it easier for people to afford their mortgage does not mean that they are suited for every buyer.FHA loans can easily have your finances go belly up if you do not know what you are getting yourself into. Therefore its best that you make sure you determine where your finances stand up you decide to opt for one.

Getting with a good loan officer is important, to make sure you go over your budget, that you don’t max out your debt to income ratios and that you fully understand how all the mechanics of the loan work.  Remember just because you qualify for a $300,000 house and you have $10,500 saved doesn’t mean you should go and buy one at that price!

If you want to know how to get qualified and how easy it is please feel free to reach out to The Mark Taylor Team at 602-361-0707 and thanks for reading my article: What are FHA Home Loans and Why do they Matter?

Mark Taylor | Arizona Home Loans | Blarming | Will You Listen to Me | Arizona Short Sales | Arizona Foreclosures | Arizona FHA Loans | Arizona USDA Loans | Arizona HUD Homes | Ariona VA Loans | Fix My Broken Credit | Arizona Mortgage | Arizona Short Sale | Power Ranch Bank Owned Homes

A lack of home ownership in the United States was out of control before FHA loans came about. Needless to say, the FHA loan program was a godsend to potential home owners since its implementation 70 years ago. The program has played a pivotal role in helping Americans get the financial independence they need in order to finance a stable lifestyle after costly home property purchases.

The FHA allows potential homeowners to borrow loans for property purchases especially if they were not able to do so through conventional loan methods.  Other candidates that go looking for home loans usually include college graduates, newlyweds or students. FHA also allows loans for those people with questionable bank credits due to previous foreclosures or bankruptcy.

FHA 203K Loan Program

The most popular FHA loans that most potential home owners usually go for is the 203k mortgage loan. These types of loans are for properties that require some repair and are streamlined for those that need non structural repairs. 203k loans come in two types. In other words they are either modified or are streamlined. Either one of these can be used for refinance.

For regular 203k purchase loans the maximum mortgage amount is set according to less the cost of the property itself, rehab costs or 110% of the possible rehab price of the property after rehab.

In other words, an FHA 203k loan allows you to include this expense along with your loan amount. This includes material and labor. For example if your intended property happens to have a badly damaged (or removed) kitchen you could include the cost of new cabinets, a fridge, counter tops, dish washer, garbage disposal, flooring, stove and a microwave in the loan. Your loan can also accommodate a contingency reserve for expenses. You are also liable to get up to six months of mortgage payments while you are repairing the home as well. This means that you won’t have to pay double the housing payment while you rehab the home.

If major structural work is needed, HVAC issues addressed or you want to rebuild the whole home this can also be done with a 203k standard vs a streamline loan. . Needless to say, FHA loans and their value can never be underestimated.

If you need further information on an FHA Mortgage in Arizona or California please fee free to call me and my team at 602-361-0707 and thanks for reading my article: The FHA 203k Loan Program and How it Works

Mark Taylor | Arizona Home Loans | Blarming | Will You Listen to Me | Arizona Short Sales | Arizona Foreclosures | Arizona FHA Loans | Arizona USDA Loans | Arizona HUD Homes | Ariona VA Loans | Fix My Broken Credit | Arizona Mortgage | Arizona Short Sale | Power Ranch Bank Owned Homes

The recent financial crunch has left many homeowners crying out for mercy. Something as simple as consolidating bills, paying off the mortgage and even sending the kids off to college makes up only some of the ways that homeowners can use the equity that has accumulated in their homes. FHA loans can help people cope with their equity loans better.

However, FHA refinancing can only be utilized by owners that are currently living in their property. Other FHA loan requirements you can use include the following –

FHA Streamline Refinance

The reason that this refinancing technique is termed streamlined is because it allows homeowners to reduce interest rates on their home loans quickly without any need for appraisals. Other than that, the best thing about an FHA streamline refinance is that it allows you to reduce your monthly payments. It also cuts down on a lot of paperwork that is required between a debtor and creditor thereby saving you a lot of time (not to mention money).

An FHA streamline refinance is a good option for people who are not weighted down with a lot of debts since it can leave them with some extra cash which they can use elsewhere.

FHA Loan Requirements

If you happen to have a conventional loan that you want to refinance with an FHA streamline refinance loan, you will need to be FHA approved. You will need to apply for it with employment verification, debt ratio requirements, credit check as well as other requirements.

Who can apply for an FHA Loan?

According to FHA rules, anyone that has legal ownership of a property can apply for FHA refinancing. A borrower also doesn’t have to be obligated to an official FHA note to apply for it either. However, the current status of the concerned debtor will affect the type of FHA loan that he/she applies for.

For example, a borrower that does not have a previous FHA loan is required to apply for a credit qualifying FHA refinance loan instead of a refinance loan. A streamline loan is not required in this case since the owner would not possess any prior records (loan history) or any other type of paperwork that has to do with the FHA.

Other than that a person who possesses legal title to their property but is not named on the original FHA home loan paperwork will be required to conform to FHA standards in order to procure a new loan.

For more information on FHA financing, refinancing or other loans that may apply to you feel free to contact The Mark Taylor team at 602-361-0707.  Thanks for reading my article: FHA Guidelines – Know your Loans

Mark Taylor | Arizona Home Loans | Blarming | Will You Listen to Me | Arizona Short Sales | Arizona Foreclosures | Arizona FHA Loans | Arizona USDA Loans | Arizona HUD Homes | Ariona VA Loans | Fix My Broken Credit | Arizona Mortgage | Arizona Short Sale | Power Ranch Bank Owned Homes

So with all the rampant rumors and conjecture by people who just want to make noise. I have attached the correct document from FHA on the proposed loan reductions.

“Who cares” an agent said yesterday – well my response was “you should and here is why!”

Barring a Congressional Stay our loan amounts will be reduced Oct 1st 2011

If you have buyers on the fence wanting to buy a home on the upper reaches of financing they will not be able to after Oct 1st.  For example in Maricopa County Arizona currently the loan limit is $346,250 it will be $271,050 a drop of $75,200 in buying power!

In San Diego where I write loans it is dropping $151,250, In Monterrey County it is $246,750 and Los Angeles County buying power is reduced by $104,250.

If you have clients with offers on short sales you need to see what can be done to expedite the process or start preparing for a back up plan!

To see how this may affect you go here: FHA LOAN LIMIT UPDATE

Serious Stuff Right?

When analyzed by potential impact on loan counts, nine states may experience declines that are greater than 5%: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Oregon. When evaluated by potential impact on dollar volume, eight states may experience declines that are greater than 10%: Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Nevada, and Puerto Rico.

What does it really mean for us?

As with anything in our industry of late we are all fueled by the rumor mill and coffee house myth that somehow becomes an urban legend and quickly a fact – like QRM mortgages and the 3% tax hit on all sales of future real estate all of which have become very mute – but from the press and local MLS meeting you would have thought that the world had stopped turning.

Again I believe this to be the case. While any reduction in my ability to help someone finance a home is irritating to say the least the impact based on 2010 and 2011 performance will shock you as to how little of an impact this may have:

For the U.S. as a whole, approximately 3% of loans by count (33,301) and 6% by dollar volume ($14.2 billion) endorsed in calendar year 2010 would not have been endorsed had HERA limits been in effect. In calendar year 2011 to date (January through April), approximately 2% of endorsed loans by count (6,673) and 7% by dollar volume ($2.8 billion) would have been affected.

So yes this is an irritation, and a major adjustment for some.  Good news is we have plenty of warning to market to all of our clients – yes go ahead re-blogg this send it viral lets get our buyers re-motivated to getting a home before its too late.  And if we do this by the times October rolls around we will be ready for it and it will not even be on our radar as we quizzically look at our competitors running around unprepared as deals fall of the table in front of their eyes.

For updates as they happen and often before they happen feel free to subscribe to FHAARIZONA.NET

Thanks for reading my FHA NEW LOAN LIMITS – Get the facts California dis-spell the myths Oct 1st 2011

Mark Taylor | Arizona Home Loans | Blarming | Will You Listen to Me | Arizona Short Sales | Arizona Foreclosures | Arizona FHA Loans | Arizona USDA Loans | Arizona HUD Homes | Ariona VA Loans | Fix My Broken Credit | Arizona Mortgage | Arizona Short Sale | Power Ranch Bank Owned Homes

Arizona FHA Loans

Many prospective homeowners may have heard about FHA loans but not quite be sure exactly what they are, or how they differ from other private mortgage loans. Here are some of the basics you need to know about FHA loans to decide whether or not they might be the right home loan product for you.

What exactly is an FHA Loan?

The FHA – The Federal Housing Administration – was created as a part of a piece of legislation called the National Housing Act of 1934. After the collapse of the banking system in the years prior to the act mortgage loans became almost impossible to obtain. The purpose of the FHA was to help provide more Americans with the chance to own their home by insuring loans that offered lower down-payment options and reasonable monthly mortgage rates. Essentially the intent behind an FHA loan has changed very little over the years.

By insuring the loan against loss to the lender should a buyer default the FHA offers a guarantee to private lenders that make them far more willing to make mortgage loans that come with a lower down payment attached.

Who Can Get an FHA Loan?

In theory anyone with a decent credit score and a reasonable debt to income level can qualify for an FHA loan. There are many misconceptions about what an FHA loan is or is not. An FHA loan comes with no income limits, as some people believe it does, anyone can apply. An FHA loan is not a “bad credit” mortgage loan either though. You don’t need perfect credit to qualify for an FHA loan but it does have to be reasonably good.

There are several different types of FHA loan available. The best person to discuss a specific FHA loan type based suited to a home buyers individual needs an Arizona FHA Loan specialist, who has the knowledge and experience with all of the loan offerings available.

What are The Advantages of an FHA Loan?

Perhaps the most obvious advantage of an FHA loan is the fact that a home buyer needs only to find a down payment of approximately 3.5% of the purchase price of the home instead of the more usual 6% required when taking out a private mortgage. But there are other advantages as well. These include:

• The possibility of more easily using financial gifts towards a down payment. This can be a big plus for young, first time buyers.
• There is no prepayment penalty, which can be financially significant in time.
• The possibility of additional funding for home improvement projects
• Often greater leniency is shown to borrowers who find themselves in a temporary financial crisis.

What the Basic FHA Loan Qualification Requirements?

The ability to come up with the required down payment is one, as is a decent credit score, around 620 is often the minimum. Demonstrable regular income is another must as is the fact that any bankruptcy has to be at least two years old and the borrower have had excellent credit since it was discharged.

The Mark Taylor Team can help you get an Arizona FHA Loan!

Mark Taylor’s 13 years in the Mortgage industry and his $3/4 of a billion funding give Mark the experience and YOU the confidence that every deal he does is a sound investment. Mark has earned numerous awards by helping structure the intricacies of his client’s real estate portfolios to best set up their investment and retirement needs. This has resulted in numerous awards, but more importantly, thrilled clients.

His primary role is the facilitation of clients’ needs regarding mortgages, while balancing their goals and objectives with sound financial and mortgage planning to ensure the loan they choose is the correct product for their circumstances – currently and into the future. He also trains and educated Realtors® in ethics, contract law, and short sales offering continuing education hours in those areas to ensure we raise the standard of care to our community. What more could you want from a Mortgage Planning Hero? Wings? He’s probably working on that right now.

Contact the Mark Taylor Team today to get started on your Arizona FHA Loan.

Mark Taylor | Arizona Home Loans | Blarming | Will You Listen to Me | Arizona Short Sales | Arizona Foreclosures | Arizona FHA Loans | Arizona USDA Loans | Arizona HUD Homes | Ariona VA Loans | Fix My Broken Credit | Arizona Mortgage | Arizona Short Sale | Power Ranch Bank Owned Homes