FHA Graduated Payment Mortgages
Keeping Initial Loan Costs Down
Graduated Payment Mortgages are FHA loans for homebuyers who currently have low to moderate incomes but expect them to increase substantially over the next 5 to 10 years. Through this FHA loan program, also referred to as Section 245, those who have limited incomes are able to purchase a home and make mortgage payments that will grow along with their earning potential.
Those who are considering using a Graduated Payment Mortgage to purchase a home should keep in mind that while their monthly payments to principal and interest will start small, they will increase substantially each year for up to ten years, depending upon the payment plan selected.
How it Works
Through this and other types of FHA loan programs, the lender helps low and moderate-income families purchase homes by keeping the initial costs down. By serving as an umbrella under which lenders have the confidence to extend loans to those who may not meet conventional loan requirements, FHA mortgage insurance allows individuals to qualify who may have been previously denied for a home loan by conventional underwriting guidelines.
It also protects lenders against loan default on mortgages for properties that include manufactured homes, single-family and multifamily properties, and some health-related facilities. Through the Graduated Payment Mortgage program first-time homebuyers and others with limited incomes can tailor their monthly mortgage payments to fit their expanding incomes therefore allowing them to purchase a home sooner than they would be able to through conventional financing programs.
Available Assistance
Of the five FHA Graduated Payment Mortgage plans, three of them allow mortgage payments to increase at a rate of 2.5 percent, 5 percent, or 7.5 percent in the first 5 years of the loan. Through the other two plans, payments increase at a rate of 2 to 3 percent annually over 10 years. Beginning in the sixth year of the 5 year plans and in the eleventh year of the 10 year plans, payments stay the same for the remaining years of the mortgage. FHA mortgages that start with a greater rate of increase over a longer period will have lower payments in the early years.
It is important that while considering this method of financing, homebuyers take the time to critically assess their potential for increased income to offset the rising mortgage payments. They also need to recognize that over the life of the mortgage, they will pay more in interest than they would have had they chosen a mortgage with payments that remained the same over the life of the loan.
Eligibility
Graduated Payment Mortgages are available to anyone who anticipates their earnings to increase substantially and intends to use the mortgaged property as their primary residence.
Application
Any person who is able to meet the credit requirements, cash investment, and mortgage payment is eligible to apply. However, this FHA loan program is limited to owner occupants.
FHA Loan Programs
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
July 20, 2024 - When you close an FHA mortgage, you make your down payment and pay closing costs, accept the keys to the home, and prepare to move in. But what should you expect after moving into the new house?
July 19, 2024 - There are many FHA home loan programs, including construction loans and reverse mortgages, which have details some borrowers find confusing. However, assistance is available. HUD-approved housing counseling can greatly help.
July 17, 2024 - What fees and expenses can you expect from an FHA reverse mortgage, also known as an FHA home equity conversion mortgage (HECM)? There are a number of important costs to save for. We examine them in this article.
July 16, 2024 - There are many options to consider when planning your home loan. One good example? Some borrowers wonder if they should choose a 15-year FHA loan over a 30-year mortgage. Those who want to save as much money might consider the 15-year FHA loan, but there are other choices.
July 13, 2024 - According to HUD, the changes announced in early July 2024 modernize the program and enhance its usefulness for individuals and families seeking affordable financing for renovating or rehabilitating a single-family home when purchasing or refinancing it.
