FHA 203k Loan in Baker County, Florida

The home you intend to purchase and renovate should be your primary residence. Like other FHA loans, the FHA 203K loan comes with various qualification requirements. As you plan to get this type of loan in Baker County, Florida, here's everything to prepare you.

Understanding FHA 203(k) Loans

The standard FHA 203K loan can help you make structural improvements on a home you bought if the repairs cost over $35,000. It's also an ideal option for repairs that cost not less than $5,000.

You can take a 203K rehab loan to combine the renovation and home purchase costs into one mortgage. The mortgage suits a fixer-upper property that requires lots of rehabilitation or repairs.

Who are FHA 203(k) Lenders

Due to their detailed structure, the Federal Housing Administration only allows approved lenders to originate 203K loans. This is because it may be difficult for other loan officers or mortgage brokers without the required experience to issue these loans.

It's therefore essential to consider a lender with an extensive history of originating FHA 203K loans in Baker County, Florida. The HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) website is a great place to start for a detailed list of 203K lenders.

Rates and Mortgage Insurance on 203(k) Loans

Since they combine two financing solutions (home purchase and renovation costs) into one, FHA 203K loans come with higher mortgage rates than standard FHA loans. To be precise, their interest rates typically range from 0.75 percent to 1 percent more than what regular FHA loans demand. Despite this, FHA loans still have the most competitive mortgage rates of all home loans.

As for mortgage insurance, 203K lenders expect you to pay the premiums in the form of an upfront fee and annual fee. The upfront fee is capped at 1.75 percent of the loan amount, while the annual fee is 0.85 percent of the loan amount payable in 12-month installments. There's also the freedom to roll over the upfront mortgage insurance fee into your loan payments.

FHA 203(k) Loans Vs. Conventional Loans

Understanding the options is crucial if you want to buy a home and renovate it with a home loan. Besides the FHA 203K loan, conventional home loans offer you this opportunity. However, the mortgage lenders who originate this type of loan require you to make a sizeable down payment and have an excellent credit score to qualify.

The strict qualification requirements on conventional home loans can make them less ideal for your situation if you can't raise a sizeable down payment or have a low credit score. However, you won't have the opportunity to carry out more costly or luxurious changes to the home like a conventional mortgage would allow you. Your best shot at giving the new home the improvements it needs to be cozy will now be a 203K loan.

Use Cases for an FHA 203(k) Loan

FHA 203K loans are meant for particular home improvements. Depending on the type of 203K loan, you may only be allowed to make certain types of repairs on the home. Here are the improvements you can make on a property purchased with a Standard 203K loan and Limited 203K loan.

Limited 203(k) Loan

Formerly known as the Streamline 203K loan, the Limited 203K loan allows cosmetic repairs on limited parts of your property, including kitchens and bathrooms. The permitted loan limit is $35,000, with a buffer of 15 percent of the repair bids.

Buffers on Limited 203K loans serve as a contingency for cost overruns by a HUD-approved contractor. Expect to have the money credited back to you if it won't be used.

In this case, the repair costs will be $31,000 once the buffer amount is subtracted from the Limited 203K loan limit. You can use the loan to finance non-luxury improvements such as:

• HVAC replacements and upgrades

• Appliance replacements

• Kitchen and bathroom remodels

• Flooring and carpet

• Painting

• Roofing replacements (that include gutters and downspouts)

• Energy-efficient home improvements

• Repairing safety and health issues

• Septic system improvements

Standard 203(k) Rehab Loan

One good thing with the Standard FHA 203K loan is that it doesn't restrict the type of improvements you can undertake on the property.

However, adding non-permanent changes or luxury amenities to your home with this loan will be impossible. The qualifying projects under the Standard 203K Rehab loan program include the following:

• Connecting to a water source or public sewer

• Making structural alterations

• Moving the home to a different site

• Doing large landscaping projects

• Improving access to the property for persons with disabilities

• Converting a single-family unit into a multiple-unit property of two to four units

Limitations of an FHA 203(k) Loan

While the guidelines on 203K loans are less strict when compared to conventional loans, there are limitations that you need to note.

To be precise, the 203K program discourages you from adding luxurious amenities such as a barbecue area, tennis court, or swimming pool to the property. It also doesn't cover minor landscaping projects that require over six months to complete.

Breaking Down the FHA 203(k) Process in Baker County, Florida

There are specific steps to take when considering taking an FHA 203K loan to finance a home purchase plus the renovation costs.

The process goes through stages like choosing the projects, applying for the loan, getting approved, choosing a contractor, closing, completing the repairs, and finally moving in, as covered in this section.

Choosing the Projects

It's essential to choose the type of improvements you'd like to get the most out of the process. Before doing this, your 203K lender will require you to attend to any safety or health hazards that the property may have.

These hazards may include lead-based paint, mold infestation, missing handrails, broken windows, and derelict roofing.

Finding HUD-Certified Contractors

Start looking for HUD-approved contractors for the repair job once you assemble a list of the improvement projects. You should only consider contractors with expertise in 203K renovations who work full-time.

Getting Several Repair Bids

Ask the contractors for repair bids if they meet the qualifications you are looking for. Also, ensure that the bids are accurate enough to be shared with a 203K appraiser.

In this context, an appraiser's role is to estimate the value of the repairs and factor it into the property's value to help the lender set your 203K loan amount.

Submitting Relevant Paperwork to the Lender

203K lenders require your personal information before processing the loan, including income, asset, and credit report information. You should also share with them the bids you got from the contractors.

Closing the FHA 203(k) Loan

At this stage, the 203K lender will ask you to sign certain documents to seal the loan process. It's also the stage to expect funds to be disbursed to your account, allowing you to complete the home purchase.

Contractor Starts the Work

Once you close the home loan, the contractor can start undertaking the repairs or improvements you want. It may take a few days or weeks, depending on the extent of the work. So, if the project will take longer to complete, be sure to arrange for temporary accommodation.

Moving in

The feeling of finally moving into a home you just bought and renovated is unmatched. You'll be on a journey of building home equity once you move in. Also, your 203K lender may allow you to refinance the 203K loan for a better rate.

Requirements for an FHA 203(k) Loan in Baker County, Florida

Meeting specific minimum requirements is a prerequisite for an FHA 203K loan. Most of these requirements share similarities with the standard FHA loan.

They revolve around loan factors such as credit score, down payment, income and debt, loan amount, occupancy, and citizenship, as discussed below.

Down Payment

The 3.5 percent down payment requirement on FHA 203K loans usually reflects the property's purchase price and the total improvement costs. You can also turn to gift assistance programs or gifts sourced from family/friends to make the down payment.

Credit Score

A minimum credit score of 620 is required for a lender to consider you for the 203K loan program. This credit score limit is way more favorable than conventional mortgages' 720 credit score limit.

Loan Amount

203K loans allow up to 110 percent financing on a property's proposed future value. Your qualifying factors will determine the loan amount.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

Your debt-to-income ratio factors in your gross monthly income and outstanding debt obligations. For a 203K loan, your DTI ratio should be less than 43 percent. This means you shouldn't spend more than 43 percent of your earnings on settling debt.

Occupancy

As for occupancy, you are only allowed to use a 203K loan to finance the purchase and renovation of a property that will be your primary residence. The loan program doesn't cater to vacation homes and investment properties.

Citizenship

Provided you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; you can apply for the 203K loan. Lenders tend to verify your legal citizenship status in the application stage of the loan process.

Refinancing into a 203k Loan

Did you know it's possible to use a 203K loan as a refinance solution? For this to work, your 203K lender will require you to have a minimum budget of $5,000 for the improvements.

An appraisal will also be needed to determine two values in the refinance. These values include the as-is value and improved value of the home after the modifications. Even more, the maximum refinancing loan amount needs to be lower than the following calculations:

• The as-is value, inclusive of the rehabilitation costs.

• 110 percent of the after-improved value of the home multiplied by 97.75 percent.

• The existing debt before improvements plus the estimated improvement costs and closing costs.

Expect your 203K lender to consider the acquisition costs of the property together with the documented rehabilitation costs for the maximum loan amount if the home was under your ownership for less than a year. Besides this, you don't need an existing FHA loan to refinance into a 203K loan.

Value Created After the Renovations are Complete

Every home buyer's dream is to get the most out of the property they're financing with a loan. FHA 203K loans offer you the luxury of making improvements rather than relying on the previous property owners to do them for you. In this case, the home's purchase price will be lower than what you'll pay on a home that the previous owner has modified.

Homes that have recently been remodeled tend to have a high price tag since the seller will try to recoup the renovation costs. The good thing with properties bought with an FHA 203K loan is that their prices are affordable, allowing you to pay for renovations you want.

Fun Things to do in Baker County, Florida

Named after renowned Senator and judge James McNair Baker, Baker County is a haven for peace and tranquility. With close to 585 miles of elbow room (up to 46 people living per square mile), it's a great place to visit with loved ones if you want to detach from the busy urban life.

Here are the recreational activities you can enjoy in Baker County, Florida.

Camp at Ocean Pond Campground

During your visit to Baker County, Florida, check out Ocean Pond Campground, an uncommon site that allows visitors to camp beside their anchored boat.

The site also offers an incredible opportunity for lakeside swimming, with ample access to picnic areas, playgrounds, drinking water, and restrooms.

Experience Wild, Authentic Florida at St Mary's Shoals Park

As a 2,568-acre park, St Mary's Shoals Park boasts biodiversity such as two miles of tea-stained riverfront (including white sandy beaches), floodplain, forested woods, and black water swamps.

You can enjoy access to transportation modes, including boats, campers, hikers, horseback, and ATVs. Whether you want to cruise on the water, the beach, or the mound or go hiking, St Mary's Shoals Park has all your needs covered.

Play Baseball and Softball

If you are a baseball or softball fan, Baker County, Florida, offers plenty of facilities for these sports. In particular, the Minger Complex features a set of fields designed for softball and baseball.

Also, on the south end of Baker lake lies a baseball complex consisting of three fields for softball, baseball, and tee ball that you can take advantage of.

Ziplining Courtesy of Cable Junction Zipline Adventures

Take your enthusiasm for adventures to Cable Junction Zipline Adventures for unmatched zip lining experiences.

The aerial course comprises three treetop bridges, four challenging climbing elements, and seven ziplining stations. It's open to participants from ages 8 to 80.

Witness the Olustee Battlefield

Drive southwest on CR250 through the Osceola National Forest and pass 30 miles from Taylor to reach the entrance of Olustee Battlefield, one of the few civil war battlefields in the Sunshine State. It's the same site where over 5,000 Confederate soldiers fought against 6,000 Union troops.

Though it's a small place, Olustee Battlefield features details about the site being used as a Confederate supply spot and held by Union troops as the base for attacks on Gainesville and Lake City. You'll learn how the Confederates drove the Union soldiers from the camp in a five-hour fight.

Summing Up

Taking an FHA 203K loan is a good idea if you want an affordable home loan covering the property's purchase and renovation costs. However, it's essential to acquaint yourself with the minimum qualifying requirements attached to the loan.

Take advantage of the renovation loans to get the home of your dreams and experience many more advantages. With the loan, you'll be free to add square footage or cosmetic changes to the home to improve its look and feel.

Reach out to our loan officers to get started with our 203K loan process in Baker County, Florida.