Built to make buying a home more reachable
FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, part of HUD. That insurance lets lenders offer more flexible qualifying standards than conventional financing — which is why FHA is a common path for first-time buyers and borrowers rebuilding their credit.
Who FHA fits
- First-time homebuyers
- Buyers with a smaller down payment saved
- Borrowers whose credit history is still recovering
- Buyers using gift funds from family toward the down payment
Mortgage insurance, explained
Every FHA loan carries mortgage insurance: an upfront premium, usually added to the loan, and an annual premium paid monthly. It is the cost of the program's flexibility, so we always show FHA's full cost next to conventional — for some borrowers conventional comes out ahead, for others FHA clearly does.
What FHA covers
FHA loans are for a home you will live in. They can be used for one- to four-unit properties — so you can buy a duplex, live in one unit and rent the others — and for refinances, including streamlined refinances of an existing FHA loan.
The FHA appraisal
The appraisal confirms both value and that the home meets FHA's minimum property standards for safety and soundness. If repairs are flagged, they generally have to be addressed before closing. We will tell you what to look for before you make an offer.
Every file is different. Guidelines, pricing and eligibility vary by lender and are subject to credit approval and property eligibility — we’ll walk you through exactly what applies to yours.