Five Reasons a Home Might Be Rejected for an FHA Mortgage
1. Homes Must Be Primarily Residential
It is possible to purchase a mixed-use property using an FHA home loan and its low down payment requirements, but if the home is not primarily used as a residence and has 50% or more floor space taken up by non-residential use it cannot qualify for an FHA mortgage.
Furthermore, FHA loan rules state that any non-residential use “may not impair the residential character or marketability of the Property” according to HUD 4000.1. All local requirements including zoning laws must be adhered to as well.
2. Transient Occupancy Properties (Such as Air B-nBs) Are Not in Compliance
A home purchased with an FHA mortgage cannot be rented out to people staying less than 30 days according to FHA home loan rules found in HUD 4000.1. FHA loans are not permitted for condo hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, or other “occasional occupancy” rental situations.
3. Compliance Issues and FHA Appraisal Standards
Your dream home may not be perfect; it may require repairs or corrections to be approved for an FHA mortgage. As long as such corrections are feasible and are not excessively expensive a standard FHA forward mortgage is possible. The FHA 203(b) mortgage is not allowed for homes in severe states of disrepair. HOWEVER, FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Loans ARE possible for homes that would not pass an appraisal for a typical new purchase FHA 203(b) mortgage.
Ask your loan officer about this option.
4. Properties May Be Too Close to Potential Hazards
If a home is too close to a high-pressure gas pipeline, high voltage electrical wires, mining or drilling operations or other hazards, it may not be possible for your lender to approve the loan.
5. Homes May Be Near Certain Flood Zones Without Insurance
FHA home loans are not automatically rejected because the house is in certain natural disaster zones or corridors, but if the right kind of insurance is not available in that area, the lender may have no choice but to turn down the mortgage loan application for that property unless proper insurance coverage is found.
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