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Differences Between FHA and Conventional Mortgages

Across the land the vast majority of home buyers use either a FHA or a conventional mortgage to purchase a property. While these loans are similar in a few ways, there are some pronounced differences. Each one has benefits that cater to a particular group of buyers. Understanding how they are different and which one is best suited to different circumstances will help buyers feel more informed about their financial situation.

FHA Loan

FHA stands for Federal Housing Authority. This agency does not make the loan itself. Instead, they insure FHA loans that are offered by approved mortgage lenders. The lender is protected in the event the borrower does not repay the loan.

FHA is committed to providing basic, conservative loans. A large number of their deals are fixed rate loans even though FHA does allow for adjustable rate mortgages.

Conventional loan

A loan that is not insured by FHA is most likely a conventional mortgage. Mortgage brokers, banks, and credit unions offer a wide variety of conventional loans. Conventional loans have more unique offerings such as interest only type of deal or a combination of a first and second mortgage used for a purchase.

Down Payments

One of the major differences among the two types of loans is the requirement for a down payment. FHA will allow buyers to pay 3.5% of the home's price as a down payment. The money used for the down payment may come from cash on hand, savings, retirement accounts or even a gift from a relative.

For conventional loans, the normal down payment is 20% of the home's value. However, there are quite a few loans that will allow a 10% or 5% down payment. The money used for the down payment must come from the borrowers own funds such as savings, investments or retirement accounts.

Private Mortgage Insurance

Both the FHA loan and conventional loan requires private mortgage insurance (PMI) if the buyer makes a down payment that is less than 20% of the purchase price. This insurance is designed to protect the lender if the loan is not repaid in full.

With a conventional loan, the PMI will be in place until the loan balance is paid down to 80% of the home's value. Typically, the PMI amounts for a conventional loan are higher than a FHA loan.

For an FHA loan, there is a fee charged at the time of the loan closing as well as a monthly amount paid with the loan payments. The monthly amount is enforced until the loan amount reaches 78% of the home's value.

Credit Score Requirements

Conventional loans have usually been reserved for customers with the highest credit scores. Due to the problems faced by the mortgage industry over the past several years, this fact is even more true today. Conventional loans rely heavily on standard credit reports offered by the major credit bureaus. Most conventional mortgages are approved by a computer system and reviewed by underwriters.

On the other hand, FHA loans will allow a slightly lower credit score. In addition, FHA will allow underwriters to go beyond the computer system and make approvals based on a borrower's complete file. Items like residence history, rental history and stable job history can persuade some FHA lenders to approve a loan for people who have scores that are slightly less than perfect.

Putting Aside Your Emotions When Selling a Home

Because of the large investment needed to purchase a home, sellers often find themselves in a difficult situation.  This inanimate object that they have owned for years and used to develop many memories will suddenly belong to someone else.  This can be a difficult time emotionally for many people.  Here are some ways in which the seller can set aside emotions when selling a home.

Values vs. Sentiment

Everyone that tries to sell a home has the same goal in mind; to get the most that the market will bear.  However, this is a difference between asking someone to pay a fair price for a feature of the home as opposed to asking someone to pay a premium for something that is only valuable to you.  The unique door handles, exquisite bathroom fixtures or one-of-a-kind chandelier may hold great meaning for you, but they may simply be accessories to someone else.

Vacate the Home during Showings

When your real estate agent notifies you that they will be showing the home to a proposed buyer, it is best to leave the home for a little while.  Someone that has never seen your home will have a much different opinion on things like the condition of the carpet, placement of furniture and the colors of the home.  Rather than risk hurt feelings or irritation from a buyer nit-picking over small details it is best if you are not there when the buyers arrive.

Give the Real Estate Agent Room and Freedom to Work

The job of your real estate agent can be summed it in one sentence.  They are on a mission to find the one person/family that is serious about purchasing your home.  While your home may be viewed by multiple parties, it only takes one to offer a contract and close the deal.  Give the Realtor® some flexibility in handling offers and let them come to you with news, instead of going to them after every showing and phone call.

Consider the Transaction as Strictly Business

Once a seller has realized that selling their home is merely a financial transaction in the eyes of the buyer the whole process will move along much smoother.  Sellers should not react to comments about the decor or the curb appeal as a personal affront.  The buyer is simply trying to find a way to get the price lower.  This points to a good sign.  If the buyer is trying to negotiate then it means they are interested in buying the home.  The next step is coming to a mutually agreeable price.  Once again, sellers should not take a counter offer as an insult.  Instead, consider the price based on advice from the real estate agent.  Holding out for a higher offer is not always the best tactic.

For many people there is no way to get around the fact that their home has been a cherished possession for a considerable time.  However, detaching one’s self away from the physical building emotionally will help make the transition easier to handle.

Original Post - Ways to Put Aside Your Emotions When Selling a Home

Several lenders, including Freddie Mac, report more than half of homeowners who lose their homes to foreclosure never answer their lenders' phone calls or letters. Instead, homeowners feel embarrassed about being in default, don't believe their lender can help, and erroneously assume that contacting their lender will cause them to lose their home more quickly.

In a press release announced earlier this week, The Short Sale Association of America (SSAA) shared results of a Freddie Mac survey that reported "6 in 10 homeowners in pre foreclosure aren't even aware of the  programs and services available to help them prevent foreclosure."

The release urges real estate professionals to reach out to distressed homeowners, knowing it is highly unlikely they will seek out assistance on their own. 

Note: lenders are still behind the times when it comes to investment properties. They claim to have loan modification and other options for investors, but typically that is not the case.