Yes. FHA earnest money can come from gift funds, as long as the money comes from an acceptable source and the lender can properly document it. This means a borrower using an FHA loan may be able to use gifted money for the earnest money deposit, not just for the down payment or closing costs. […]
7 Things to Know About FHA Occupancy Rules in 2026
FHA loans are designed to help people buy a home they plan to live in, not properties they plan to rent out or use as second homes. Because of that, the program includes specific rules about occupancy—where you live, when you move in, and how the home is used. These rules are not complicated, but […]
Rules for Using Rental Income for FHA Mortgage Qualification
Rental income can be a valuable tool when qualifying for an FHA mortgage, potentially strengthening your application by demonstrating additional income streams. But there are certain rules and requirements you need to know about. 5 Key Points Covered in This Guide This guide breaks down the key rules, requirements, and procedures you need to know […]
Using Electronic Signatures With FHA Loans: A Borrower’s Guide
Buying a home with an FHA loan involves signing a large number of documents. In many cases, those documents can be signed electronically instead of on paper. FHA allows this, but only under specific conditions designed to protect borrowers and preserve the integrity of the loan file. Because electronic signatures are governed by both federal […]
How to Request a Seller Concession When Using an FHA Loan
If you’re using an FHA loan to buy a home, you might be able to lower your out-of-pocket costs by asking the seller to help pay some of your expenses. This is known as a seller concession in the real estate world, and it’s a common strategy—especially for first-time buyers working with a tight budget. But how […]
Orange County, California FHA and Conforming Loan Limits 2025
The conforming and FHA loan limits for Orange County, California were increased for 2025 due to home price gains that occurred during the previous year. Here are seven things you should know about these changes: You can learn more about Orange County loan limits below, including the figures for multifamily properties like duplex and triplex. […]
Phoenix FHA and Conforming Loan Limits 2025 (Maricopa and Pinal Counties)
There’s good news for Phoenix-area home buyers in 2025. The maximum loan limits for both conventional and FHA-insured mortgage loans have gone up due to rising home prices. This increase applies to all cities located within the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metropolitan area, including Maricopa County and Pinal County. At a glance: The Phoenix-area FHA loan limit has […]
Texas Loan Limits for 2025: FHA, Conforming, and Jumbo Amounts
Texas loan limits were increased for 2025 due to rising home prices. In most counties, the maximum mortgage amount for both FHA and conforming loans will go up, as shown below. In 2025, the conforming loan limit for all Texas counties will be $806,500, for a single-family property. The limits for FHA-insured mortgages will range from $524,225 […]
2025 Florida FHA Loan Limits: All Counties
Florida FHA loan limits and maximum mortgage amounts have been adjusted upward for 2025, in response to rising home prices nationwide. In Florida, the 2025 FHA loan limit for a single-family property will range from $524,225 to $967,150, depending on the county where the home is located. Most counties across the Sunshine State will have […]
Is It Really That Hard to Buy a House with an FHA Loan?
In some cases, using an FHA loan might make it harder to buy a home. But these loans are very common in the real estate market, and most sellers are happy to accept them. There’s a lot of chatter on the Internet that suggests it can be hard to buy a house with an FHA […]