FHA Losing Favor as Source of Low Downpayment Purchase-Mortgage Financing, HousingPulse Finds
February 28, 2013
Recent and impending changes to FHA program requirements have shifted purchase-mortgage activity to other sources, according to industry analysts. While the FHA remains the go-to financing method for borrowers who can only provide a 3.5 percent downpayment, conventional financing with a 5.0 percent downpayment is seen as more favorable for qualified borrowers. Beginning April 1, the annual FHA mortgage insurance premium will increase by 10 basis points for purchase mortgages, following a number of other premium increases in recent years. FHA financing accounted...