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An FHA refinance is a way to save money by changing your loan term or interest rate, something many homeowners look to do when rates are low.
But the Federal Housing Administration has refinancing options that can help you accomplish other goals beyond lowering your monthly mortgage payment.
Knowing more about the different kinds of FHA refinance loans available can help you decide if one is right for you.
Can you refinance an FHA loan?
Yes, you can refinance an FHA loan, and there's an array of FHA refinance options to suit your needs. If your current mortgage is an FHA loan, you’ll have the most options, but it’s not a requirement.
Each type of refinance has slightly different qualification standards, but the basics are similar to FHA purchase loan requirements. You may be able to get approved for an FHA refinance with a lower credit score or higher debt-to-income ratio than a lender would look for in a conventional refinance. However, the current recession and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have led some lenders to tighten their requirements for FHA refinances.
» MORE: Tips for refinancing with a lower credit score
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When should you refinance an FHA loan?
You may want to refinance your FHA loan to decrease your interest rate, change to a shorter mortgage term or take on a costly project like a major home renovation.
If you're looking to save money, lowering your mortgage rate will typically bring down your monthly FHA loan payments and reduce the total interest paid over the life of the loan. Still, it's important to remember that you won't truly enjoy those savings until after you've reached the break-even point. That's when your refinance savings equal the amount you spent on the refinance itself.
FHA refinances can come with considerable closing costs, which may include an appraisal. And with any FHA refinance, you'll have to pay a new upfront mortgage insurance premium equal to 1.75% of the total amount of the refinanced loan. If you're refinancing an FHA-insured mortgage that's less than three years old, you'll get a closing credit that partially refunds the new upfront mortgage insurance premium.
» MORE: Browse top mortgage refinancing lenders
FHA refinance options
FHA rate and term refinance
If you're refinancing to change your interest rate or loan term, the most basic option is a rate and term refinance (if you do not currently have an FHA loan) or an FHA simple refinance (if you are refinancing an existing FHA loan). Either way you can't take cash out, and if the refinance results in a profit of more than $500, that money is applied to your loan's principal.
Why would you get a rate-and-term FHA refinance? Aside from potentially lowering your rate or going from say, a 30-year mortgage to a 15-year, this type of FHA refinance may be used to remove a co-borrower from the loan or to pay off a land contract.
» MORE: See today's FHA refinance rates
FHA streamline refinance
An FHA streamline refinance makes it easier to refinance an FHA loan because it doesn’t require a new FHA appraisal. A non-credit qualifying streamline refinance is even simpler since the lender won't assess your creditworthiness or debt-to-income ratio. But if you opt for a credit-qualifying streamline refinance, where your financial status and ability to pay your mortgage are reevaluated, you may be able to get a better interest rate.
Comparing different FHA streamline refinance lenders can also help you get a lower rate. Your current lender is a good starting point, but it's a good idea to check rates with at least three lenders to make sure their offer is competitive.
» MORE: FHA streamline refinance requirements
FHA cash-out refinance
An FHA cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new, larger FHA loan. The difference between what you owed on your mortgage and the new, higher loan amount provides the cash.
You could use a cash-out refinance to turn some of your accumulated home equity into liquid assets to pay for a renovation or consolidate debt. You'll also, of course, get a new interest rate. If rates are lower than they were when you first purchased the home, it can help offset higher monthly payments from a larger home loan.
» MORE: How to get an FHA cash-out refinance
HELOC & Home Equity Loans from our partners
on Figure
Figure
4.5
NerdWallet rating
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score
640
Max loan amount
$400,000
on Figure
on Bethpage Federal Credit Union
Bethpage Federal Credit Union
5.0
NerdWallet rating
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score
670
Max loan amount
$1,000,000
on Bethpage Federal Credit Union
on Rocket Mortgage
Rocket Mortgage
4.0
NerdWallet rating
4.0
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score
680
Max loan amount
$350,000
on Rocket Mortgage
FHA 203(k) refinance
With an FHA 203(k) refinance, you can roll renovation or repair costs into the total amount of your new mortgage. This type of renovation refinance loan can be used whether or not your current mortgage is FHA-backed.
There are two types of FHA 203(k) refinances: standard and limited. A standard 203(k) refinance requires repairs to cost at least $5,000, and you'll need to use a 203(k) consultant to keep tabs on the work. A limited 203(k) lets you skip the consultant, but you’ll be limited to nonstructural repairs that cost $35,000 or less. With either type of 203(k) refinance, your repairs or upgrades must meet FHA eligibility requirements.
» MORE: Guidelines for FHA 203(k) refinances
Frequently asked questions
Is an FHA refinance worth it?
It depends on your individual situation. Use a mortgage refinance calculator to see how much you might save and when you'd reach your break-even point. That's when the savings you get from refinancing is equal to the fees and closing costs.
How soon can an FHA loan be refinanced?
When you can refinance your FHA loan depends on the type of FHA refinance you choose. With most simple and rate-and-term refinances, there is no waiting period. FHA streamline refinances require at least 6 months' seasoning, and with a cash-out refinance, you'll typically have to wait at least 12 months.
Is there a penalty for refinancing an FHA loan?
No. But as with any refinance, you will pay closing costs. With an FHA loan, those costs will include a new upfront mortgage insurance premium and, unless you choose an FHA streamline refinance, a new FHA appraisal.
Can you refinance an FHA loan to get rid of mortgage insurance?
No. Regardless of how much of your FHA loan you've paid off, FHA mortgage insurance premiums, or MIP, last for 11 years if you made a down payment that was 10% or more. With a down payment that's less than 10%, you will pay MIP for the life of the loan. The only way to remove FHA mortgage insurance is to refinance from an FHA loan to a conventional loan.
