Learn more about FHA

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

FHA offers several loan programs to fit your needs; 30 year fixed, 15 year fixed, 5/1 Adjustable Rate and a 3/1 Adjustable Rate loans.

Did You Know?

Cobalt Mortgage is the largest Private Mortgage Bank in the Northwest providing FHA Loans.

Refinance with FHA

There are significant advantages to refinancing to an FHA mortgage with a fixed interest rate, particularly if you currently have a higher cost mortgage or have a mortgage that has an adjustable or a variable interest rate, optional payments or interest only payments that will increase in the near future. Borrowers with adjustable or variable interest rate mortgages or interest only payment mortgages often encounter much higher monthly payments ("payment shock") after having the mortgage for just a few years.

FHA fixed interest rate mortgages cost less. FHA loans have competitive interest rates because the Federal government insures the loan. A fixed interest rate FHA loan will have a low interest rate compared to a subprime loan and the FHA loan will have fixed payments of principal and interest compared to an adjustable rate or variable interest rate mortgage or a mortgage with optional or variable payments.

You don't have to have perfect credit to get an FHA fixed rate mortgage. Even if you have had credit problems, such as a bankruptcy, you may still qualify for an FHA mortgage. Should you encounter hard times after refinancing your home, FHA has programs to help you keep you in your home and avoid foreclosure.

An FHA fixed interest rate mortgage may be used to refinance a new or existing 1-4 family home, a condominium unit or a manufactured housing unit (provided the manufactured housing unit is on a permanent foundation).

HUD's internet site can provide additional information on FHA mortgages by going to: http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm

You may also wish to contact a HUD approved housing counseling agency in your area for unbiased and free counseling on your particular situation. You can find a list of these agencies at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm

Purchase with FHA?

FHA insured mortgages offer many benefits and protections that only come with FHA:

Easier to Qualify: Because FHA insures your mortgage, lenders may be more willing to give you loan terms that make it easier for you to qualify.

Less than Perfect Credit: You don't have to have a perfect credit score to get an FHA mortgage. In fact, even if you have had credit problems, such as a bankruptcy, it's easier for you to qualify for an FHA loan than a conventional loan.

Low Down Payment: FHA loans have a low 3.5% down payment and that money can come from a family member as a gift, employer or State Bond programc. Other loan programs don't allow this.

Costs Less: FHA loans have competitive interest rates because the Federal government insures the loans. Always compare an FHA loan with other loan types.

Helps You Keep Your Home: The FHA has been around since 1934 and is committed to providing low fixed rate mortgage programs. Should you encounter hard times after buying your home, FHA has many options to help you keep you in your home and avoid foreclosure.

An FHA insured mortgage may be used to purchase or refinance a new or existing 1-4 family home, a condominium unit or a manufactured housing unit (provided the manufactured housing unit is on a permanent foundation).

HUD's internet site can provide additional information on FHA mortgages by going to: http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm

Finally, if you would like to see a short webcast video about the homebuying process, visit the following web site: http://www.hud.gov/webcasts/archives/buying.cfm