An FHA loan is a type of mortgage that is backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is a part of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). FHA loans are designed to make it easier for people to become homeowners by offering more flexible requirements compared to conventional loans.

One of the main advantages of FHA loans is that they typically require a lower down payment compared to conventional loans. The minimum down payment for an FHA loan is 3.5% of the home’s purchase price, while some conventional loans may require a down payment of 5% or more. FHA loans may also be easier to qualify for, as they have more lenient credit score requirements compared to conventional loans.

FHA loans also offer more flexible qualification criteria for debt-to-income (DTI) ratios. DTI ratio compares a borrower’s monthly debt payments to their gross monthly income. In general, FHA loans allow for higher DTI ratios compared to conventional loans, which can make it easier for borrowers to qualify.

However, FHA loans require borrowers to pay mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs) for the life of the loan, regardless of the amount of equity they have in the property. The MIPs serve as insurance for the lender in case the borrower defaults on the loan.

FHA loans are available for a variety of property types, including single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums. There are also specific FHA loan programs for home renovations and energy-efficient upgrades. The loan limits for FHA loans vary by location and are updated annually by the FHA.