Arizona FHA Loans | AZ FHA Loan Limits and FHA Mortgage Refinance

FHA Refinance Programs

FHA Rate/Term Refinance
The FHA Rate/Term Refinance is for borrowers who currently have a conventional fixed rate or ARM mortgage and wish to refinance into an FHA Mortgage. This program helps borrowers who wish to have a stable, fixed rate FHA Insured Loan.

Cash-Out Refinance
An FHA Cash Out Refinance is perfect for the homeowner who wants to access the equity that they have built up in their home. This program is beneficial to homeowners whose property has increased in value since it was purchased.

FHA Streamline Refinance
The FHA Streamline Refinance is designed to lower the interest rate on a current FHA mortgage or convert a current FHA adjustable rate mortgage into a fixed rate. An FHA Streamline Refinance can be performed quickly and easily. It requires much less hassle and paperwork than a normal refinance including no appraisal, no qualifying debt ratios and no income verification.

FHA Refinance Questions & Answers

What are the guidelines for an FHA Refinance?
If the borrower wishes to take cash out of the property, then the maximum financing amount is 85% of the appraised value, depending on the borrowers qualifications. If the borrower does not take cash out then the maximum financing will be 97.75% of the appraised value of the home or the amount you are refinancing plus closing costs, whichever is lower.

Why should I consider refinancing into a FHA-insured mortgage?
FHA-insured mortgages do not come with prepayment penalties, have no teaser rates nor balloon payments. They are offered at market rate with terms up to 30 years and are fully amortized, meaning that you pay towards principal and interest every month.

What if I have a prepayment penalty and other refinancing costs and there isn’t enough equity in my home to refinance?
If you do not have sufficient equity in your home to add your prepayment penalty and/or other refinancing costs into your new FHA mortgage, then you should ask your lender to consider a second mortgage to pay the difference or a short payoff on your existing loan. Offering either of these options is at the discretion of the lender.

Does it matter that the value of my home is now less than what I still owe?
Not to The FHA, but your current lender will have to be willing to accept a short payoff on the existing loan OR to hold a second mortgage to make up the difference needed to pay off the existing mortgage and the home’s value.

What are the advantages of FHA Loans versus Conventional Loans?

FHA-insured loans offer many benefits and protections that you won't find in other loans including:

FHA Loans are Credit Flexible
FHA loans are not totally credit score driven. Instead, they are written in a way that provides the borrower the benefit of the doubt that there had been, at some point in their past, circumstances beyond their control, and as long as the borrower has recovered from those circumstances in a reasonable manner, they're generally going to be credit-eligible for an FHA refinance loan.

FHA Loans have Great Interest Rates and Low Monthly Mortgage Insurance
A distinct advantage of an FHA insured loan, as compared to a conforming loan, is great interest rates and lower monthly mortgage insurance (MI). Depending on the program, standard FHA loan interest rates are usually better than a conforming 30-Year Fixed loan.

FHA Loans Require a Less Home Equity or Cash
FHA refinance Loans have as low as a 3.5% cash or home equity requirement for refinance and the money can come from a family member, employer or charitable organization as a gift.

FHA Offers More Protection to Keep Your Home
The FHA has been around since 1934 and will continue to be here to protect you. Should you encounter hard times after buying your home, the FHA has many options to help you keep you in your home and avoid foreclosure.

Streamlined Refinance and Assumable Loans
One of the most important advantages of an FHA loan is the ability for the loan to be assumed. This gives the buyer a significant advantage in a high interest rate market. FHA loans are eligible for streamline refinance, a program HUD offers that allows the borrower to easily refinance the loan to reduce their interest rate and lower their monthly payment.