
FHA Loan Requirements for 2026
580 Credit Score -and- 3.5% Down Payment
The FHA loan program lets you purchase a home with a low down payment and flexible guidelines. FHA refinance mortgages are a great option for those who want to lower their monthly mortgage payment or consolidate their bills.
See how we make the American dream a reality. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer moving to a new home, or want to refinance your existing conventional loan to an FHA mortgage, there's an FHA program suited to your needs. With no income limits or credit scoring, many people who can afford the monthly mortgage payments and have reasonable credit will qualify for an FHA mortgage.
FHA Loan Articles
January 13, 2026Lender credits raise your interest rate; they also increase your monthly debt obligations. If your debt-to-income ratio is at the FHA maximum for approval, a higher payment from a lender credit might result in a loan denial. Discount points have the opposite effect, lowering the monthly payment and helping a borrower meet strict FHA qualification standards.
January 12, 2026Loan calculators offer homeowners a way to estimate the costs of a mortgage refinance without the pressure of a lender’s sales pitch. Among other things, using a loan calculator to plan your refinance loan helps you find the approximate calendar date when the monthly savings from a lower interest rate finally exceed the upfront costs of the transaction.
December 23, 2025FHA borrowers sometimes experience "cost creep" in their home loan expenses. What does a new borrower need to know about FHA mortgage loan expenses above and beyond the down payment? There are many fees and expenses to plan for in the early stages of your home loan planning and saving journey.
December 23, 2025Some new home buyers are confused by the concept of a single-family home. Can you buy a home with more than one living unit using an FHA single-family home loan? Or are you limited to a single unit? The answer may surprise you. The FHA loan program allows you to buy a residence with up to 4 living units with the same low down payment requirement.
December 17, 2025Some believe that you can never qualify for new credit after a bankruptcy. This is not true, but typically, there is a waiting period involved before you can apply for a new large line of credit or an FHA home loan. We examine key issues in applying for an FHA mortgage after a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.















