Looking to refinance your current FHA mortgage? You may have the opportunity to qualify without any income verification or appraisal, using an FHA streamline refinance.
FHA will streamline a refinance in order to reduce the documentation and underwriting normally required. That means no tax returns, W-2 forms, or pay stubs, and no bank statements to verify assets. Also, FHA does not require a credit report, but some lenders may require one for pricing the rate. A verification of mortgage is required to determine if the loan is delinquent, which is not allowed.
Another potential benefit of an FHA streamline refinance is that an appraisal may not be needed. So, in addition to not verifying income or assets, this loan can also eliminate verifying the home value as an obstacle, even in a declining housing market.
As with all government programs, there are certain rules and limitations that determine if a refinance will fit into the FHA streamline guidelines, including the following:
1. The current mortgage to be refinanced must already be FHA loan
2. The subject property must be the borrower’s primary residence
3. The current mortgage to be refinanced should not be delinquent
4. The streamline refinance only allows a maximum of $500 cash out
5. The refinance must result in reducing principal and interest payments
When getting an FHA streamline refinance without using a new appraisal, the maximum loan amount is determined by using the lesser of the following two calculations:
1. The original principal balance of the existing FHA mortgage, plus the new up front mortgage insurance premium, which is currently 1.5% on a streamline refinance.
2. The existing FHA mortgage, plus closing costs, prepaid taxes, insurance, interest, and the new up front mortgage insurance premium. Subtract refund of ancient premium.
When using a new appraisal for an FHA streamline refinance, the maximum loan amount will be determined by the lesser of the following two calculations:
1. The appraised value multiplied by the maximum loan to value percentage, which usually ranges from 97% to 97.75% depending on the state and the loan amount.
2. The existing FHA mortgage, plus the closing costs, prepaid property taxes, hazard insurance, up to 30 days interest, and subtract any refund of insurance premium.
If there is a line of credit or second mortgage on the home, the lien holder must agree to re-subordinate their loan regardless of the combined loan to value. The total amounts of the first and second mortgages can exceed the normal loan to value and the maximum mortgage limit.
Written by Rick Smith: Rates and information on home financing, additional information on FHA home loans
On the other side of the ledger, the Bush Administration also changed the rules in April 2008 to get the FHA more involved in the mortgage industry. According to James Bianco, "The government was using the Federal Home Loan Banks as a ... On top of it, the next part of Obama's plan had a ring of familiarity to it: "The loan-to-value (LTV) limit on mortgages Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to refinance as part of Obama's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan ...