What are the home loans for first time buyers in the US?

FHA loans⁠ Unlike conventional loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are loans backed by the federal government. FHA loans are geared toward first-time home buyers who don’t qualify for conventional conforming loans. ⁠ ⁠ If your credit score isn’t up to snuff, your pic.twitter.com/2oW6Yxv13X

— Lord Enzo XXVI (@LordEnzoXXVI) March 9, 2023

The Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, is a US government agency that falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. An FHA home loan is insured by the FHA, meaning that your mortgage’s owners are protected against loss if you default on the home loan.   

FHA loans offer options to make lower down payments than traditional home loans, as well as lower minimum credit score limits. (Keep in mind, however, that you will also have to pay mortgage insurance.) While you do not necessarily have to be a first-time home buyer to qualify, FHA loans are especially appealing for first-time buyers due to these low down payment options and more lenient credit requirements.  

FHA home loan: Down payment  

An FHA home loan required a minimum 3.5% down payment for credit scores of 580 or more. If you make a 10% down payment, for instance, your credit score can be anywhere between 500 and 579. A mortgage calculator can provide you with an estimate of your monthly payments, as well as the impact of your down payment amount. 

FHA home loan: Credit score 

According to your FHA, your monthly mortgage payments should not be more than 31% of your monthly gross income. If your home loan is being manually underwritten, your debt-to-income ratio (your total monthly debt payments divided by your monthly gross income before taxes), or DTI, should not be more than 43% of your monthly gross income.  

When you buy a home, your credit score is highly important. It shows lenders your credit history and how you have handled debt in the past. Beyond that, if you have a strong credit score, it will be easier for you to purchase a property. The reason for that is the stronger your credit score, the lower your mortgage interest rate will be, which can essentially save you thousands over the life of your loan.