Like many American homeowners, your first mortgage may have been a loan with the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Loans backed by the FHA are attractive to first-time homebuyers because FHA loans make it easier to obtain financing, requiring only minimal down payments and fair-to-good credit scores.
On the other hand, FHA loans require certain provisions which sometimes place a heavy burden on a homeowner’s budget, often in the form of premiums paid for mortgage insurance. In such cases, you may want to consider refinancing your FHA loan into a conventional mortgage.
However, before we dive into the pros and cons of refinancing from an FHA to conventional loan, it’s important to learn the basics of these mortgage insurance premiums and costs.*
Can You Refinance an FHA Loan?
You can refinance an FHA loan to a conventional loan, but it requires meeting minimum requirements. It is especially beneficial to refinance your FHA if you have 20% equity in your home, and can remove the lifetime private mortgage insurance (PMI). If you don’t meet the equity minimum for a conventional loan, you’ll also need to account for continued private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs until you’ve reached 78% in loan-to-value ratio.
Understanding Mortgage Insurance Premiums
FHA loans stipulate that borrowers pay two kinds of mortgage insurance: a one-time, upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) and a monthly mortgage insurance payment (MIP). The monthly MIP payment is generally required for the life of the loan.
Today, the UFMIP costs roughly 1.75% of a loan’s principal balance and is paid at closing. For example, borrowers applying for a $200,000 30-year fixed FHA loan today will have to pay a $3,500 upfront mortgage insurance premium. Additionally, these borrowers must also typically pay an annual premium of $1,700 for every $200,000 borrowed.
The MIP costs from 0.45% to 1.25% of the loan balance throughout the term of an FHA loan. These premiums can add anywhere from $100 to $500 to the monthly payment. While FHA rates may be low, the added costs of mortgage insurance could make refinancing into a conventional loan, even one with a slightly higher rate interest rate, result in lower monthly payments for the borrower.
Now, let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of an FHA to conventional refi.
The Pros of Refinancing to a Conventional Mortgage
While mortgage rates continue to fluctuate, home values continue to rise, providing more equity to homeowners. This has given homeowners the leverage to successfully refinance into conventional mortgages.
In fact, one of the biggest advantages of switching to a conventional loan is that it can eliminate the mortgage insurance requirement altogether. While conventional loans have stricter credit requirements, and typically require borrowers to have at least 20% equity in their homes, any mortgage insurance provision is cancelled once a homeowner has reached a 78% loan-to-value ratio in their home.
Additionally, refinancing to a conventional mortgage allows borrowers to take out a larger home loan.
The Cons of Refinancing an FHA Loan to a Conventional Loan
It’s important to keep in mind that refinancing comes with costs, such as closing fees, and may require you to present many of the same documents during the application process as you did with your original home purchase. (However some refinance options, such as a Streamline refi, can remove these document requirements. Learn more below.)
According to Smart Asset, refinancing closing costs can range anywhere from 2-5% of your total loan. For example, if you refinance into a $250,000 loan with 3% closing costs, you’ll need to pay $7,500 on your signing appointment day, roll the costs into the loan, or receive a lender rebate to offset the costs.
In addition, if you don’t currently meet the equity requirements you’ll also need to account for continued private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs — that is until you’ve reached that magic number of 78% in loan-to-value ratio.
To apply for a conventional mortgage, you’ll need to present several documents to prove your borrowing worthiness. These documents include:
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns and W-2’s and/or 1099’s
- A credit report
- Asset statements
You may also need to pay for an appraisal of your home.
Too Many Requirements? An FHA Streamline Might Make More Sense
If you can’t afford the closing costs associated with refinancing from an FHA into a conventional mortgage, or if you can’t provide the needed documents, an alternative option is to apply for an FHA Streamline Refinance.
The FHA Streamline Refinancing program provides homeowners with a quicker, simpler way to refinance without the hassle of in-depth documentation, credit, or income verification.
Homeowners who are looking for ways to lower their monthly mortgage payments, or who are hoping to convert an adjustable rate mortgage into a fixed loan, often benefit from an FHA Streamline Refinance — even if their mortgage is underwater. In fact, the Streamline program was put in place specifically to reduce loan defaults.
To qualify for a Streamline refi, you must meet these requirements:
- You must already have an FHA-backed mortgage.
- All of your mortgage payments must be up to date.
- You must wait 210 days, or have six months of on-time payments before applying.
- You cannot get a cash-out refinancing with the switch.
It’s also important to note that Streamline refinancing continues the requirement for mortgage insurance, though UFMIPs are typically absorbed in the mortgage and are not paid in cash.
Understanding the Net Tangible Benefit
FHA Streamline Refinancing applicants must demonstrate a valid reason for refinancing, which is determined by something called the Net Tangible Benefit. According to the FHA, this can be either:
- A 5% reduction of the principal and interest (P&I) of the mortgage payment, plus the annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP), or
- A refinancing from an ARM to a fixed rate mortgage
Checklist: When Is a Good time to Refinance from an FHA to a Conventional Mortgage?
If you’re still not sure whether you should refinance from an FHA loan into a conventional mortgage, answer the following checklist questions to help you decide if it could be the right move.
1. What are my goals?
If you’re looking to lower your monthly payments, or switch from an ARM (or other loan term) to a fixed-rate loan, going into a conventional mortgage might be right for you. You may also be eligible to take advantage of a cash-out refinancing option with a conventional loan.
2. Does refinancing make financial sense?
If current interest rates are higher than your existing rate, or if the difference is negligible, refinancing into a conventional loan may not be worth the cost. You can use a loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments — just don’t forget about those upfront insurance costs.
3. What is the current value of my home?
Most home values have risen over the years giving homeowners more equity and making refinancing into a conventional mortgage an attractive option for homeowners. If you owe more on your mortgage than your home is worth, you can still refinance with an FHA Streamline.
4. What is my existing home equity?
If you have more than 20% equity in your home, converting from an FHA into a conventional home loan makes a lot of sense. If you have less than 20% equity, an FHA Streamline refi may be better suited to your situation.
5. Can I afford refinancing closing costs and fees?
Refinancing can be pricey — oftentimes thousands of dollars. However, borrowers can typically use a rebate from the lender to offset some of the costs or finance the costs and fees. To understand how financing these fees will impact your monthly payment, be sure to use our handy calculator found here.
6. Can I provide all of the necessary documentation?
Refinancing into a conventional mortgage is a process very similar to purchasing your first home, so it’s important to gather all of the right documents. If you can’t produce all of the necessary documents, an FHA Streamline may provide a simpler path to refinancing.
Considering a Refi? Talk to a Mortgage Lender
Even if FHA rates are lower than conventional rates, it may not always be in your best interest to refinance into another FHA loan. A licensed loan officer can help you evaluate the nuances of FHA refinances and help you identify your best financial solution.
To see if a conventional loan refinance makes sense for you, speak with a PennyMac loan officer or apply online today.
*By refinancing your existing loan, your total finance charges may be higher over the life of the loan.