FHA Loan Rates

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are government-backed mortgages for single-family and multifamily homes.

FHA-backed loans typically have lower income and credit score requirements than conventional mortgages. FHA also requires a minimum 3.5 percent down payment, which is helpful for buyers who don’t have a lot of funds saved for a big lump sum payment. These are two reasons FHA loans are so popular among first-time homebuyers, people on tight budgets and folks who have lower credit scores.

FHA loans do require FHA mortgage insurance for homebuyers who put down less than 20 percent. All FHA borrowers must pay two insurance premiums: the upfront mortgage insurance premium (1.75 percent of the base loan amount) and an annual mortgage insurance premium. The annual premium is based on loan terms, loan amount and the loan-to-value ratio. Keep these extra costs in mind when you’re budgeting for a house.

Product	Interest Rate	APR
30-Year FHA Rate	3.340%	3.930%

Rates as of February 17th, 2020 at 6:30 AM

Who is a FHA Loan for?

A FHA loan can be a viable path to homeownership for many types of buyers. Here we’ll look at two scenarios where FHA loans might make sense.

Borrowers with a sub-620 credit score

Most lenders call for a minimum credit score of 620 for conventional loans, whereas FHA loans have looser requirements. Homebuyers can have a score as low as 500 and still be eligible for an FHA loan. However, lower scores also mean higher down payments. Here’s what FHA requires:

• 580 credit score to qualify for a 3.5 percent down payment
• 500 to 579 credit score must have a minimum 10 percent down payment

Borrowers with a low down payment

Many of today’s buyers, especially if this is their first home, find saving for a down payment challenging. As housing costs rise and people are saddled with student loan debt, many folks need a loan with low down-payment requirements.

FHA loans only require 3.5 percent down (if you have a minimum 580 credit score). This is good news for folks who would otherwise be required to make a larger upfront payment. To obtain approval for a FHA loan, the borrower must satisfy the following requirements.

FHA Loan Requirements

1. Steady employment history
2. Ability to pay
3. Financial soundness
4. Residency

See the table below for an example of the costs associated with an FHA loan versus a 30-year fixed loan. Keep in mind, interest rates are dependent on the market and the borrower's credit worthiness.

As you dive deeper into the homebuying process, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each loan option. Here we’ll break down the pros and cons of FHA loans.

Advantages of FHA Loans

• Low down-payment requirements.
• Amenable to first-time home buyers (includes those who have not owned a home for at least three years).
• Financing for mobile homes and factory-built homes.
• May accommodate people who own the land where the home will be located and those who will live in a mobile home park.
• Can lock in a low rate without a large down payment.

Disadvantages of FHA Loans

• FHA borrowers are required to pay two types of mortgage insurance: mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and an annual premium.
• FHA loans require that the house meet certain standards, which decreases buying options.

For more information on FHA loans:

• Everything to know about FHA loans
• How to find the best FHA lender
• FHA mortgage insurance guide
• Using a FHA mortgage to buy and repair a home

Learn more about specific loan type rates

Loan Type	Purchase Rates	Refinance Rates
The table above links out to loan-specific content to help you learn more about rates by loan type.
30-Year Loan	30-Year Mortgage Rates	30-Year Refinance Rates
20-Year Loan	20-Year Mortgage Rates	20-Year Refinance Rates
15-Year Loan	15-Year Mortgage Rates	15-Year Refinance Rates
10-Year Loan	10-Year Mortgage Rates	10-Year Refinance Rates
FHA Loan	FHA Mortgage Rates	FHA Refinance Rates
VA Loan	VA Mortgage Rates	VA Refinance Rates
ARM Loan	ARM Mortgage Rates	ARM Refinance Rates