FHA loans may help ease mortgage crisis

Potential home buyers may be hesitant as they start their hunt in today's market, but many quickly discover that their market is full of choices, sellers are becoming more willing to negotiate, and interest rates are still low.That's not to say there will be no setbacks. The hard part may come when they go shopping for a mortgage. Minnesota Mortgage Association President Tim Bendel said 100 percent financing has all but disappeared. He advises borrowers with good credit scores seeking a conventional loan to come to the table with at least a 5 percent down payment. Borrowers with credit scores below 700 may need a more significant 20 percent down payment.But there is help on that front. The answer for some buyers is a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan. Credit scores count less with FHA loans; the more important factor is whether the potential borrower has paid other bills on time, says Todd Johnson, CEO of Edina Realty Mortgage. FHA's government-backed loans require only 3 percent down and allow cosigners and gifts for down payments.Source: Star-Tribune, Kara McGuire (04/26/2008)