FHA Home Loans
Explore FHA-insured financing and the borrower and property requirements for your scenario.
๐ก๏ธ THE BASICS, SIMPLY EXPLAINEDKnow the starting points.
- ๐ฐ Down payment
- 3.5% for qualifying borrowers; 10% in the lower-score tier
- ๐ Credit score
- 580+ for the 3.5% tier; FHA may permit 500โ579 with 10% down
- ๐งฎ Debt-to-income (DTI)
- 43% total-debt baseline for manual review; higher ratios require applicable approval criteria
In simple terms
On a $300,000 purchase, 3.5% down is $10,500. A 10% down payment is $30,000. Closing costs and insurance are separate.
Lenders may require scores above FHAโs program floor. Housing-only and total-debt ratios are reviewed; the total ratio includes the proposed housing payment and other debts. Automated and manual approvals follow different requirements.
General guidance, not approval criteria for every lender. Credit, property, income, reserves, and program availability are reviewed together.
Understand DP, credit score, and DTI โWHO IT MAY SUITStart with your scenario.
For borrowers comparing FHA with other home financing options.
What to discuss
- Review income, credit, down-payment funds, and property eligibility.
- Discuss both upfront and ongoing mortgage insurance when comparing costs.
- Review the full payment and closing funds, not only the advertised rate.
Does FHA insurance mean approval is automatic?
No. The lender still reviews credit, income, assets, and the property under applicable requirements. Compare the overall cost and suitability with other available options.
How do I get a personalized review?
Tell us your goal and property state, then use the application portal if you are ready to provide the required information. Availability and approval depend on lender requirements and applicable licensing.
Read official borrower guidance โ