...

The death of FHA Loans – Starts April 1, 2012

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is following through with absurd increase in FHA loan mortgage insurance.

When consumers get an FHA loan, they pay UMIP (Up-front mortgage insurance premium), which is added to their loan amount, and a monthly mortgage insurance fee. Starting April 1, FHA will hike its upfront premium by 75 basis points to 175 bp on all single-family loans, including jumbos. The monthly mortgage insurance will remain the same, at 1.15% for loans over 95% loan-to-value.

On a $200,000 loan, borrowers would actually end up making payments on a $202,000 loan. ($200,000 X 1.00%). After April 1st, 2012, the same person will now have a loan of $203,500. ($200,000 X 1.75%).

According to FHA, the fee increases are designed to strengthen FHA’s capital position and “have minimal impact on the market and borrowers,” according to FHA acting commissioner Carol Galante.

These premiums are expected to dramatically slow down new FHA from $218 billion in the current 2012 fiscal year that ends September 30 to $150 billion in FY 2013 as consumers continue to rely more heavily on standard Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, which now have cheaper mortgage insurance.

In a smart move, FHA noted that FHA streamline refinances are exempt from these new premium hikes.

Leave a Comment

Share via
Copy link