Maine FHA Loans – Requirements and Loan Limits for 2024
Maine home buyers who need a small down payment or have poor credit scores may be able to purchase a home with an Maine FHA loan. There are many FHA lenders in Maine who offer FHA loans, but not all of them participate in all of the FHA loan options available.
With over 20 years in the mortgage industry, we have helped thousands of Maine residents to finance their home with a government backed FHA insured mortgage.
We will take you through the FHA home loan requirements, detail what is needed to qualify, then help you to get pre-qualified. If you already know that an FHA loan is right for you, then click to connect with an Maine FHA lender whether you live in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, or anywhere else.
FHA Home Loan Benefits
These are the benefits of an FHA loan versus a conventional loan:
- Insured by the Federal Housing Administration
- Lower credit scores permitted
- Lower down payment requirement
- FHA interest rates are lower than conventional rates
- Gift funds allowed
- Seller closing cost contributions are allowed
- FHA loans are assumable
- Co-signers allowed
- Higher debt to income ratios permitted
- Designed to help first time home buyers and lower income families in Maine
Types of FHA Home Loans – First Time Home Buyers
There are various types of FHA loans available in the state of Vermont for both purchases and also refinances. Each of these are for a specific situation that a home buyer or current homeowner may encounter. Although these mortgage programs are available, not every lender offers them and the ones who do may have their own unique requirements.
- Standard Purchase
- Standard Refinance
- FHA 203k Rehab (when buying or refinancing)
- FHA Streamline Refinance
- FHA One Time Close Construction Loan
- FHA Cash Out Refinance
- FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage
We will review some of these programs below and will provide additional information.
Maine FHA Loan Eligibility Requirements for 2024
These are the basic FHA loan requirements for this year. All of these must be met to be approved for an FHA loan. If you are not positive on whether you meet these standards or have questions, an FHA lender can help.
- Down payment of 3.5% or 10% if your credit score is below 580
- 2-year employment history with some exceptions allowed
- Fully document your income for the past two years
- Minimum FICO score requirement of 500 – down payment will vary
- Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) is required for every FHA loan
- Maximum debt to income ratio of 43% with exceptions up to 56%
- The home must be your primary residence
- No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the past two years
When you complete your mortgage application, your lender will verify the requirements referenced above. Be prepared to fully document your income and assets.
FHA Down Payment Requirements
The down payment requirements for an FHA loan is the same in every state. The minimum requirement for an FHA loan is 3.5% of the purchase price. However, if your credit score is below 580, then the down payment requirement will be 10%.
If you do not have the down payment needed, you can also use gift funds from a relative.
Maine Government Housing Down Payment Assistance Programs
There are various down payment assistance programs in every state. Below is a list of just a few down payment assistance programs that may be available to you in Maine. Home buyers will need to contact, and arrange for these programs independently. Lenders will accept the funds from these programs for your down payment but they will not arrange for the down payment assistance.
We can also assist you with lender provided down payment assistance for first time home buyers. Using down payment assistance that is provided by the lender is often seamless and requires fewer steps. The down payment assistance would be included in the loan package offered by the lender. Contact us to learn more.
Local FHA lenders in Maine
These lenders are just a few options for you to consider. Please note that each lender is different and it is possible that none of these options are best for you depending upon your scenario. We have many more lender options available which is why we recommend you contact us to get help.
- Northeast Bank – Contact
- Bangor Savings Bank – Contact
- Norway Savings Bank – Contact
- TD Bank South Portland – Contact
- Bar Harbor Bank and Trust – Contact
- Maine Community Bank – Contact
Let us help you to find the best FHA lender in your area by completing this FHA loan scenario form with some basic loan scenario information. No credit report will be pulled and we can connect you with the best option.
Maximum FHA Loan Limits for Each County in Maine
Every county in the United States has specific maximum loan limits that are set for single family homes, as well as 2-4 unit properties. The limits are set based upon the average home sales value in that county. The base FHA loan limit for single family residences in Maine for most counties is $498,257. Use this FHA loan limit lookup tool to see what the FHA loan limits are in your county.
| County Name | Single Family | 2 Units | 3 Units | 4 Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANDROSCOGGIN | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| AROOSTOOK | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| CUMBERLAND | $546,250 | $699,300 | $845,300 | $1,050,500 |
| FRANKLIN | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| HANCOCK | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| KENNEBEC | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| KNOX | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| LINCOLN | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| OXFORD | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| PENOBSCOT | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| PISCATAQUIS | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| SAGADAHOC | $546,250 | $699,300 | $845,300 | $1,050,500 |
| SOMERSET | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| WALDO | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| WASHINGTON | $498,257 | $637,950 | $771,125 | $958,350 |
| YORK | $546,250 | $699,300 | $845,300 | $1,050,500 |
FHA 203k Loan Options
FHA 203k loans are a great program which will allow you to borrow the money needed to purchase the home plus additional funds needed to rehabilitate or remodel the home. This program is also available in your state and we work with lenders that help with your FHA 203k loan.
If you would like to fully understand how this program works, we suggest reading our article on FHA 203k loans.
FHA Streamline Refinance Eligibility Requirements
The FHA streamline refinance program is available to existing homeowners who would like to refinance for a lower rate while eliminating some of the refinance costs such as an appraisal. You may also get a discount on the mortgage insurance premium which is another advantage.
For more information, please read our article on the FHA streamline refinance.
FHA Mortgage Pre-Approval Process for Purchases and Refinances
If you are looking for an FHA loan, there is an optimal process you should follow to get pre-approved.
- The first step is to make sure you have the minimum down payment needed to qualify
- Check your credit and try to cleanup anything that is pulling down your scores
- Get a copy of your tax returns for the past two years
- Get copies of your pay stubs for the past month
- Get copies of your last two months’ bank statements
- Speak to an FHA lender about your loan scenario
Speak to a lender early in the application process because they can identify opportunities to help with your FHA approval. This should be done months before you start looking for a home. Read more about how to get pre-approved for an FHA loan.
What to Look for in an FHA Lender
We take a few things into consideration when looking at which Maine FHA lenders we work with. Some of these also may be, or should be very important to you as you continue shopping for an FHA loan.
A good FHA lender will do the following:
- Allow for credit scores as low as 500
- Provide FHA 203k loans
- Offer competitive rates and fees
- Have a great processing and underwriting team
- Work closely with you throughout the loan process
- Communicate well and will provide you with updates along the way
Maine FHA Mortgage Calculator
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Frequently Asked FHA Questions
Can I get an FHA loan with a bankruptcy?
In general, borrowers will need to wait two years before applying for an FHA loan after a bankruptcy. However, there are some exceptions which may allow you to apply sooner. Read our article on the bankruptcy waiting period.
Are all FHA Approved lenders the same?
Not all lenders who offer FHA loans are the same. They all do not offer all of the FHA programs and their rates and fees may also vary. Most importantly, the individuals who help to process and underwrite your loan will have a huge impact on your FHA loan experience.
Can I use gift funds for an FHA home loan?
FHA loans do allow for gift funds to cover your down payment as well as your closing costs. The gift funds must come from a relative or a close friend as approved by the lender. You will need to provide the lender with a gift letter that is signed by the donor.
Do I need an appraisal for an FHA mortgage loan?
The FHA does require an appraisal and inspection before your loan can be approved. The FHA inspection has clear guidelines on what needs to be repaired before your loan can close. They want to make sure home buyers are moving into a home that is safe and operational.
Can I get an FHA insured loan for an investment property?
FHA loans are for primary residences only and if your goal is to purchase an investment property, you cannot use FHA insured financing for that purchase. However, if you are currently living in a home that is financed with an FHA loan, you can move to a new home and keep the current home as an investment.
Can I use an FHA loan to purchase a fixer upper property in Maine?
You can use an FHA 203k rehab loan to purchase a fixer upper but you must make that home your primary residence.
How long does it take to get approved for an FHA loan?
You can get a quick pre-approval in less than 24 hours. However, for a full approval it may take a few days to come back from underwriting.
What are the closing costs for a Maine FHA loan?
You should expect closing costs to be anywhere from 2-5% of the loan amount. Not all of the costs are lender related and you should expect tax escrows to also be included in the costs and your mortgage payments.
Where can I find lenders that offer FHA loans?
Most lenders in Maine offer FHA loans. However, we have a network that can help with virtually every type of FHA loan and with competitive interest rates and fees.
Relevant FHA Statistics in Maine
You may find some of these FHA statistics interesting as they apply specifically to people or FHA mortgages in Maine:
