If you're interested in buying a fixer upper, you may have trouble getting a mortgage on the home. But an FHA 203k is designed for that exact purpose.
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The idea of buying a fixer-upper and turning it into your dream abode can seem so perfect — every nook and cranny just to your specifications! The reality, however, can be harsh. When you realize how much it will cost to remodel, you often also realize that you can't afford it. Or you find out that a lender won't give you a loan because the home is considered “uninhabitable” as it is. That's where an FHA 203k loan comes in.
An FHA 203k loan is a construction loan backed by the federal government and given to buyers who want to buy a damaged or older home and do repairs on it. Here's how it works: Let's say you want to buy a home that needs a brand-new bathroom and kitchen. An FHA 203k lender would then give you the money to buy (or refinance) the house plus the money to do the necessary renovations to the kitchen and bathroom.
Often the loan will also include: 1) an up to 20 percent “contingency reserve” so that you will have the funds to complete the remodel in the event it ends up costing more than the estimates suggested and/or 2) a provision that gives you up to about six months of mortgage payments so you can live elsewhere while you're remodeling, but still pay the mortgage payments on the new home.
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There are two main types of FHA 203k mortgage loans. The first is the regular or standard 203k, which is given for properties that need things like structural repairs, remodeling, a new garage, or landscaping; the second is the streamlined or limited 203k, which is given for energy conservation improvements, new roofing, new appliances, or non-structural repairs such as painting.
Among the other repairs that an FHA 203k will cover:
The program will not cover so-called “luxury” improvements such as adding a tennis court or pool to the property. It also does not cover any improvement that does not become a permanent part of the property.
The maximum amount of money a lender will give you under an FHA 203k depends on the type of loan you get (regular vs. streamlined and purchase vs. refinance loan).
With a regular FHA 203k, the minimum amount you can borrow is $5,000.
With a regular FHA 203k loan, the maximum amount you can get on a purchase loan is the lesser of these two amounts:
OR
Refinance limits are similar but also take into account the amount of the existing debt and fees of the existing loan.
With a streamlined loan, you can get a loan for the purchase price of the home plus up to $35,000 with no minimum repair cost plus the cost for energy improvements. To determine the as-is value of the property or the estimated value of the property post-repair, you may need to have an appraisal done. You will be required to put down 3.5 percent, but the money can come from a family member, employer or charitable organization.
Qualifying homes for a FHA 203k loan include:
Your property will also have to qualify under the usual FHA requirements. For example, its value cannot exceed a certain maximum amount, which depends on where you live.
The main benefit of these loans is that they give you the ability to buy a home in need of repairs that you might not otherwise have been able to afford to buy. Plus, the down payment requirements are minimal, and often you get decent interest rates (note that the interest rates and discount points will vary by 203k lender, so it's important to make sure that you're getting a good deal on the loan).
The downsides are that not all properties qualify, there are limits on the funding you can get and applying for the loan isn't easy. For example, to apply for the loan you may need to hire an independent consultant to prepare the exhibits required (to get the loan, you have to provide a detailed proposal of the work you want to do and cost estimates for each item). Get more information on 203k loans.
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