FHA 203(k) Home Loans | Prime One Home Loans

What’s An FHA 203(K) Home Loan?

An FHA 203(k) is a rehabilitation loan that can help you purchase or refinance a home that’s in need of repair or modernization. In addition to the cost of the home, the loan also covers the cost of qualified repairs. FHA 203(k) home loans are offered by Federal Housing Administration (FHA) approved lenders. Loans are insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

What Are The Benefits?

Buying a house that needs rehabilitation can often be a complicated and costly process. Repairs can drain your savings or investments. Interim acquisition and improvement loans often have relatively high interest rates, short repayment terms and a balloon payment. An FHA 203(k) loan can save you time and money because it combines the purchase cost and the repair cost into a single fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage.

An FHA 203(k) loan may allow you to consider a home that needs rehabilitation if you’re looking to purchase. With this type of loan, you may benefit from lower interest rates and costs associated with repairs and modernization as compared to financing repairs through other methods like home equity lines of credit, credit cards or personal loans. The interest you pay on your mortgage may be tax deductible, and repairs aren’t stretched out over months or years. You can customize the home to meet your needs. Improvements may also increase home value and resale marketability. However, more parties and steps are involved with FHA 203(k) loans, including appraisers, consultants, contractors, and inspectors. Additional costs may apply.

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The Streamline 203(k) home loan lets you tap into funds quickly and easily to make less extensive repairs and improvements. No minimum repair costs are required, and the maximum repair amount is $35,000. A variety of repairs and replacements can be financed with this program, including: a roof, gutters, downspouts, existing HVAC systems, plumbing and electrical systems, flooring, minor remodeling (not involving structural repairs), interior and exterior painting, and weatherization (insulation, storm doors, windows, and weather stripping). Major or lengthy repairs and remodeling, like new construction or landscaping, are ineligible.

The Standard 203(k) requires a minimum of $5,000 in repairs but has no maximum. Unlike the Streamline 203(k) loan, the Standard 203(k) requires a HUD consultant who inspects the property, consults on the repairs and the associated costs, manages the project and provides a work write-up. Standard 203(k) repairs include all those eligible with the Streamline 203(k), as well as certain structural alterations and reconstruction, rehabilitation of garages, modernization of bathrooms and kitchens (including new appliances), removal of health and safety hazards, aesthetic appeal changes, installation of wells or septic systems, and handicapped accessibility improvements.

Eligible vs. Ineligible Borrowers

Eligible Borrowers

U.S. citizens
Permanent resident aliens
Qualified non-profit organizations
Qualified non-permanent resident aliens
State and local government agencies

Ineligible Borrowers

Foreign nationals
Corporations or limited liability companies (LLCs)

Eligible vs. Ineligible Properties

The property must have been completed for at least one year.

Eligible Properties

1 to 4-unit attached and detached single family residences and planned unit developments
FHA-approved condos
Mixed-use developments (conditions apply)
Modular homes

Ineligible Properties

Cooperatives
New construction
Manufactured homes
Properties with non-conforming construction that cannot be remedied

Requirements

Homes must be occupied by the owner. No second homes or investment properties. Transaction must be a purchase loan or refinance. Identity of interest (buying from a relative or business partner) is not permitted. Loans are subject to certain appraisal and construction requirements

Eligible major structural repairs include

Structural alterations
Chimneys and skylights
Additional bathroom installation
Attic and basement finishing
Termite damage repair
Existing detached garbage repair
New attached garages
Bathroom and kitchen moderization
Health and safety hazard removal
HVAC repair or replacement
Electrical and plumbing systems
Major landscaping improvements
Grading and drainage improvements
Swimming pool repairs (Greater than, or equal to, $1,500)

Eligible non-structural repairs include

Roofs, gutters and downsprouts
Existing HVAC systems
Plumbing and electrical systems
Flooring and carpeting
Interior and exterior paint
Appliances (purchase and installation)
Accessibility improvements
Exterior decks, patios and porches
Basement finishing (non-structural)
Basement waterproofing
Weatherization upgrades
Window and door replacements
Wall residing
Septic and well systems