My Play on FHA Loans: Your Thoughts?

My Play on FHA Loans: Your Thoughts?

Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 549 posts · 310 votes

For those who don't know, I am in the market for my first primary residence. I will be buying a 4-plex using FHA 203k, and will be occupying the unit for a while. However, the more I think about the way the process works, the further I develop a strategy to best utilize the great advantages at my disposal. Here's what I am thinking:

1. I will buy a 4-plex at $100K. I will then spend an additional $100K in renovations for a total loan amount of $200K.

2. After the renovations are completed and I am occupying the property, let's say the property will then be appraised at $260,000. Therefore, my net equity in the project is $60,000.

3. I would then want to refinance immediately into a commercial loan, in order to escape the monthly PMI. FURTHER, once this property is refinanced through a commercial lender, and paid-off in full in the eyes of the FHA lender, I would then want to jump directly into another FHA 203k project.

And that is where my idea gets confusing. I want to utilize the FHA 203k program to the best of my ability, as well as leverage my relationships with commercial lenders such that I can get on FHA's books, pay them off, and then get into another FHA 203k loan almost immediately. I have spoken with my FHA Lender and he has told me that, to the best of his knowledge, FHA simply has a 6-month seasoning period where you can't touch the note, refinance, pay extra principle, etc. That's it. He stated once I am paid in full and my 'FHA Reference Number" has been declared as paid-off, I should be able to rinse and repeat.

Anyone have any experience in this or obtaining MULTIPLE FHA loans? Would appreciate any feedback.

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Brie SchmidtBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
12y

@Clay Manship what @Brian Sealey is telling you is that FHA will see it as "off the books" if you get a conventional or commercial loan. It is just that conventional (residential) has better terms and is usually easier to get as commercial requires a greater track record and may be hard to obtain for a loan under $250k

That being said, your process seems fine. As long as you move to each one then you are within the FHA guidelines. Just don't be too surprised if they will only give you a little bump in equity during the first year. In my experience they tend to appraise under market but above all in costs during the first year even though the seasoning requirement is 6 month.

Loans 1-4 are pretty easy to get as long as you have the DTI and credit. But once you get to 5 residential loans you cannot do cash out refi so it would be at this point that you should have enough of a track record to get commercial loans and move them and start over

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  • Property Manager · Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2014 · 20 posts · 5 votes
    12y

    Good afternoon,

    I was curious as to why you would want to refinance into a commercial loan.  Why not a conventional one allowing you to hold a fixed rate amortized for 15 or 30yrs?  You'll have the equity right?

  • Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 549 posts · 310 votes
    12y

    @Brian Sealey 

    The goal in refinancing into a commercial loan is to go get another FHA loan immediately after I refinance and pay off the first one. I want to continue to acquire and renovate as many 4-unit buildings as possible. As I am currently aware, if I have a conventional owner-occupied mortgage, I will not be able to do this.

    However, if I were to refinance my first property into a commercial loan, I will be "off the books" in the eyes of the FHA, therefore allowing me to go get a new FHA 203k loan and do the same thing over and over again.

  • Property Manager · Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2014 · 20 posts · 5 votes
    12y

    @Clay Manship 

    Correct, you can't have two Owner Occupied loans at the same time. Assuming you buy it right you should have at least 20% equity in your property after renovations. At the point, refinance into a conventional investment classified loan. At the point you will move out of that quad (lease the newly vacant unit) and into your new FHA financed Owner Occupied purchased dwelling. Unless it's over 4 units you don't have to venture over to the commercial department.

    Note that your underwriter will want to see that the rent (from your original purchase) is on your tax return (so you will have to wait a year) before acknowledging it against your DTI. If you did this before than you will have to qualify for your new purchase with all the debt on top.

    Also note that there are 203k options for investors available.

  • Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 549 posts · 310 votes
    12y

    Anyone else have experience with doing multiple FHA deals? Or refinancing out of an FHA? Can you hold three conventional mortgages and STILL get another FHA loan if you qualify financially with DTI, etc?

  • Brie SchmidtBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    12y

    @Clay Manship what @Brian Sealey is telling you is that FHA will see it as "off the books" if you get a conventional or commercial loan. It is just that conventional (residential) has better terms and is usually easier to get as commercial requires a greater track record and may be hard to obtain for a loan under $250k

    That being said, your process seems fine. As long as you move to each one then you are within the FHA guidelines. Just don't be too surprised if they will only give you a little bump in equity during the first year. In my experience they tend to appraise under market but above all in costs during the first year even though the seasoning requirement is 6 month.

    Loans 1-4 are pretty easy to get as long as you have the DTI and credit. But once you get to 5 residential loans you cannot do cash out refi so it would be at this point that you should have enough of a track record to get commercial loans and move them and start over

  • Investor · Mount Laurel, NJ · Member since 2014 · 18 posts · 4 votes
    12y

    I am in a similar boat, so I appreciate this thread.

  • Renter · Hialeah, FL · Member since 2014 · 239 posts · 27 votes
    12y

    This is an interesting idea. Does anyone really check to make sure you are living at the FHA property?

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