2/05/2024

FHA Self sufficiency Test Blues





















   FHA Self Sufficiency Test is a Stickler

Self sustainability/ sufficiency test is a problem for high cost areas. The rents are not high enough to cover the payment so for example if the PITI is $12000 and rents are $6000 minus 25% then we don't use any rent to qualify. You won't make it on FHA in most high cost triplex and four plex because of this rule. High cost I define as three or four units valued at more than eight hundred thousand dollars.

To pass the self sustainability test, the net rental income must be equal to or greater than the projected monthly mortgage payment. The calculation is as follows:

1.   Realistically determine the long term market rate rents that can or are already being charged for each apartment/unit

2.   Multiply the total of these rents by 75%

3.   Ensure that the total is greater than the monthly mortgage payment by one dollar.

The test also requires that the total rental income less the vacancy factor of 25% is equal to or greater than the projected monthly mortgage payment. The vacancy factor is determined by the jurisdictional Homeownership Center (HOC). Therefore a FHA purchase loan in a high cost area where rents aren’t high enough to cover is not a fit.

Conventional doesn't have the rule. So the conventional 5% down may be your better choice.

What is a FHA 75 rule example?

For example, if the appraiser reports the rents of $6,000 per month, you would use 75 percent of that, or $4,500. Thus, your rental income must be at least $4,501 in order to qualify for an FHA multi-unit property loan.

 

Additionally, you must have three months' worth of mortgage payments in savings, called reserves.

 

I need to know what the total dollar amount of ALL your student loans are. We use 1% of the balance and it doesn't matter if deferred. How many months remain on the auto loan? Is it a lease or owned?

FHA 3-4 Unit Self Sufficient Calculation for FHA 3 or 4 unit property 

Mortgages for three and four unit properties with non-occupying co-borrowers are limited to 75% loan to value (LTV). 

 Mortgages that exceed 75% LTV with a non-occupant co-borrower are limited to a one unit single family residence, condominium or planned unit development(PUD). 

 Regardless of occupancy status, the 3 or 4 unit property must be self-sufficient.



The maximum mortgage loan calculation must meet all of the following:

• the Statutory limit for the property location,

• the loan-to-value (LTV) limits

and • the 3 or 4 unit self-supporting mortgage calculations described below:

Step 1: Calculate the monthly payment on the new loan: Principal and Interest Real Estate Taxes Hazard Insurance FHA MIP HOA Dues, if applicable @ Note Rate + + + + $ $ $ $ $ TOTAL Monthly Loan Payment = $

Step 2: Determine the Monthly Net Rental Income: Appraiser’s Estimate of Fair market Rent  1007 form (all units) $ Less the vacancy factor (use factor from appraiser or 25% whichever is the greater) $ Projected Net Rental Income = $

Step 3: The monthly mortgage payment divided by the monthly net rental income cannot exceed 100%. If the result indicates a percentage greater than 100% (negative cash flow) the mortgage loan amount must be reduced. TOTAL Monthly Loan Payment $ Divided by ÷ Projected Net Rental Income $ Result (if greater than 100% the loan is not self-sufficient and the percentage of % Loan amount must be reduced). The appraiser performs a 1007 rental survey and borrower provides a lease. The lower number is used.

Notes: · Borrowers must ALSO still qualify for the mortgage based on income, credit, cash to close, and the projected rents received from the remaining units.

The projected rent may only be considered as gross income for qualifying purposes; it may not be used to offset the monthly mortgage payment.

The borrower must have reserves equivalent to three months' PITI after closing on purchase transactions. Reserves cannot be derived from a gift.

Alternatives if the Property Does Not Pass the Test

  • Seeking another eligible property: If a property fails to meet the FHA Self Sufficiency Test requirements, it may be necessary to explore other properties that do meet the criteria. This ensures that potential buyers can still secure FHA financing for a property that can generate sufficient rental income. Generally this means going down in value, going away from a view, reducing fire or flood insurance risks, searching out farther than planned.

 

  • Using alternative loan programs like conventional but High Balance Conventional for three or four units requires more down payment and smaller total loan amount. Mortgage Insurance will be lower due to lower loan to value.

 

  • Paying points for a lower interest rate: Points, which are a form of pre-paid interest, can be paid upfront to decrease the interest rate on the mortgage. This can reduce the monthly mortgage payment and improve the property’s cash flow. The points do not substantively reduce payment. A half a percentage point may not reduce the payment by much.

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Work with an experienced FHA Lender give me a call

949   784- 9699

A good lender will get all the numbers into the forms and run the test on day one. You probably will want to lock on a Monday-thursday and know if you can get under the one dollar threshold. We will look at rental

comps BEFORE the appraiser does and get insurance

UP FRONT

Get your hazard insurance quote at the first day of escrow