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FHA loans are becoming popular again! It's an institution that has been around for a long time, since June 27, 1934. The Department of Housing & Urban Development folded the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) under its umbrella in 1965.

How FHA Loans Work

Now, FHA does not make loans or guarantee loans. It insures loans. The insurance removes or minimizes the default risk lenders face when buyers put down less than 20 percent. Without further approval from FHA, its approved lenders are authorized to:

• Take loan applications 
• Process loan applications 
• Underwrite and close the loan

FHA Increases Mortgage Limits

• $362,790 for high-cost areas 
• $200,160 for low-cost areas
• $544,185 in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands
• By March of 2008, that limit was bumped to a minimum of $417,000 or 125% of median sales price, whichever is greater, with a top end of $729,750

Credit History 

• FICO scores can be lower than those for a conventional loan. (As low as 620 FICO. If you have an existing FHA loan, there is no credit score requirement for an FHA Streamline Refinance)
• Bankruptcy. You can obtain an FHA loan two to three years from the date of your bankruptcy discharge, as long as you've maintained good credit since your debts were discharged. 
• Foreclosure. If you keep your credit in excellent shape since a foreclosure, an FHA loan will be available to you two to three years from the final date of your foreclosure.

Competitive Rates & Terms

• Finance up to 96.5% of the purchase price instead of 97% (Recently Updated)
• There is little or no adjustment to the interest rate for an FHA loan, as the rates vary within .125 percent of a conventional loan.
• Mortgage insurance is funded into the loan, meaning a premium of 1.75% is added to the loan balance instead of being paid out-of-pocket. In addition, a small portion for the mortgage insurance premium is added to the monthly payment, but it is far less than private mortgage insurance premiums.
• Borrowers can finance up to 96.5% of the purchase price and put down 3.5 percent. In some instances, when combined with other types of loans, the down payment can be zero.
• Allowable debt ratios are higher than the debt-ratio limits imposed for conventional loans