Red Flags of the FHA 203k Renovation Loan

Fixer-upper homes, foreclosures, short-sales and REO properties have flooded many housing markets across the country. This can be a great thing for home buyers looking for good deals. Unfortunately it also means a lot of housing stock is in need of some TLC. From simple upgrades and improvements to renovations and repairs, many homes need work. Fortunately there's a mortgage loan program that takes aim squarely at these less-than-desirable houses, and turns them into dream homes!

You may have never heard of the loan program backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) called the FHA 203k loan. The 203k hasn't seen much press since its inception in the late 1970's. Since then, lenders have been able to partner with state and local housing agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate properties. Despite this great move, the 203k remains largely in the shadows. Some of the reason would be a stigma attached to the FHA 203k that it's a difficult loan to deal with. But that doesn't have to be the case. The Standard 203k from the 70's can have issues with difficulty or timing, but an experienced mortgage advisor should be well-equipped to handle this loan program.

Also, the 203k Streamline was added to the program a few years ago. Now home buyers have another option to finance home improvements, repairs, renovations, or rehabilitation.The basic difference between the Full and Streamline loans is the money you can roll into the mortgage (the Streamline covers up to $35,000) and the kind of work that's covered (the Full will cover structural repairs). So whether it's new paint, carpet, siding, appliances or windows that you want to replace, or it's something that you need to replace because it's a structural issue, the FHA 203k can help by rolling the cost into the mortgage.read more>>>