An FHA loan can be an option for a veteran or a service member with a lower credit rating.

Without a deposit or mortgage insurance, VA loans are hard to beat.

But even if you qualify for a VA loan, it is worth taking a look at an FHA loan, especially if you have a lower credit rating.

Both mortgages are supported by the federal government and are popular with first-time buyers. VA loans are only available for those who have or have served in the military and certain surviving spouses. FHA loans are open to everyone. The specific characteristics and requirements of the two loans also differ. The mortgage that suits you depends on your situation.

Kind of good

VA loans and FHA loans can be used to buy or refinance a primary residence as long as the home is safe and structurally sound. The property must meet the minimum requirements set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for an FHA loan and the Department of Veterans Affairs for a VA loan.

Takeout: If you want to buy a vacation home or an investment property, buy a conventional mortgage that is not supported by the federal government.

Down payment and credit limits

VA loans mostly do not require a down payment. A new law has lifted the limits on VA loans, the maximum amount you can borrow without deposit for borrowers who are fully eligible for VA loans in 2020. But borrowers who have other active VA loans or who do not have paid VA loans. They are still subject to the VA loan. Limits These limits reflect the guidelines of the Federal Office for Housing Finance for conforming loans. The limit is $510,400 in a typical US state. US and more inexpensive real estate markets like San Francisco County.

The minimum down payment for FHA loans is 3.5%. FHA loans also have limits that vary from state to state and can be taken up every year. The maximum amount you can borrow with an FHA loan in 2020 ranges from $331,760 in low-cost countries to $ 765,600 in high-cost areas. The FHA credit limit in your area can be found on the HUD website.

Credit rating requirements

The VA does not set a minimum credit rating for VA mortgages, but lenders can set their own thresholds. A minimum score of 620 is a common requirement.

Each borrower’s situation is different from others, but eligible veterans mostly get better VA credit services than FHA loans. However, he adds: “A veteran or service member who cannot meet lenders’ credit guidelines for a VA guaranteed loan may be luckier with FHA funding.”

Veterans United, which currently requires a credit score of 620 or higher for almost all VA loans, offers free financial advice to borrowers who cannot meet the minimum credit guidelines, said Birk.

The lowest score you can have and can still qualify for an FHA loan is 500. However, a deposit of 580 is required for a deposit of 3.5%. A 10% deposit is required for a credit rating of 500 to 579.

VA borrowers tend to have higher average credit scores than FHA borrowers overall. For most of 2019, the average FICO among mortgage borrowers in Virginia was between 707 and 712 depending on the month, according to mortgage data provider Ellie Mae. For FHA purchase mortgages, the average FICO was between 672 and 677.

Mortgage insurance

Mortgage insurance will reimburse the lender if you are late in the loan. There is an expense to calculate when you get a mortgage.

VA loans do not require mortgage insurance. Instead, you pay one-time VA finance charges that range between 1.4% and 3.6% of the loan amount. The amount of the fee depends on your military service, the bond, and whether or not you have a VA loan. You can pay it in advance or transfer it to the loan.