Does Idaho Housing allow sole and separate property?
Does Idaho Housing allow manufactured homes?
What are Idaho Housing's MAX Land to Value and Acreage Limits?
What is the current guideline for foreclosures/bankruptcy?
If a borrower has had a prior foreclosure with Idaho Housing, they will need permission granted from Idaho Housing to apply for a future loan with Idaho Housing. Please email a letter of explanation from your borrower to resloan@ihfa.org, detailing why the foreclosure occurred and what is being done to prevent a foreclosure in the future. Our foreclosure department will then research how the borrower cooperated during the foreclosure process. After the research is completed, a determination will be made on whether this borrower will be allowed to apply for a future loan with Idaho Housing.
When is Finally Home! Homebuyer Education required?
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will also require first-time homebuyers using the Fannie Mae HFA Preferred products (Lo MI or No MI or the Freddie Mac HFA Advantage products (Lo MI or No MI) to take Finally Home! Homebuyer Education even if they are not using assistance from Idaho Housing.
In situations where there are two first-time homebuyers, only one certificate will be required.
First-time homebuyers are defined as anyone who has not owned and occupied a primary residence within the last three years.
Finally Home! HBE will also always be required of any borrower with a credit score less than 620 as well as any time your AUS findings require HBE.
How can I drop Mortgage Insurance (MI) before automatic drop date?
There must be no delinquencies on the loan. Generally, dropping MI is not permitted on loans less than 2 years old. If the loan is 2-5 years old, an LTV (loan to value) of 75% or less will be required. If the loan is more than 5 years old, an LTV of 80% or less will be required.
To request to have MI removed, borrowers will always need to contact HomeLoanServ. They can call 800-526-7145 or email support@homeloanserv.com. Removing MI is considered on a case by case basis.
If ‘current value’ is used, a new appraisal will be ordered by HomeLoanServ. Borrowers may not order their own appraisal. An appraisal ordered by a borrower will not be used to execute removal of MI. Upon a request to have the MI removed, HomeLoanServ will advise the borrowers of the required appraisal amount, and where to send the fee. HomeLoanServ will order the appraisal upon receipt of the fee and the borrower(s)’s request.
If ‘original value’ is used, an LTV of 80% or below will be required. We require proof (broker’s price opinion, market analysis, tax assessment notice, etc.) that the property value is currently at least equal to or above the original value. The original value is defined as the LESSER of the appraised value or sales price at the time of the loan origination.
What is your lock policy?
For existing properties, our standard lock period is 45 days. If necessary, a 15-day extension is available for a 0.125% fee. If you need a further extension, a 2nd 15-day extension is allowed for a fee of 0.25%.
For New Construction properties, our lock period is 90 days and has a fee of 0.5%. If necessary, one 30-day extension is allowed for an additional fee of 0.5%. These fees will be taken from your wire at the time we purchase the loan. They are not added to the rate but are fees charged based on the loan amount. Send any lock questions and/or lock change requests to lockdesk@ihfa.org.
Do I need to get three years tax returns/transcripts for my borrower?
The exception to this is when using The First Loan or the MCC/Tax Credit. Since borrowers must be first-time homebuyers for these products (unless they are purchasing a home in a targeted county), 3 years of tax returns or transcripts with applicable schedules will be required to show borrowers have not claimed any mortgage interest.
Who do I contact to become a lender or broker partner?
Why have my borrowers not received the MCC?
I forgot to add the MCC to my borrower(s)’s loan and their loan has already closed, is there anything I can do?
The MCC/Tax Credit should always be added at the time a loan is locked. For the rare instance when it is not added when the loan is locked, the MCC/Tax Credit may be added soon after the loan is closed, as long as the borrower(s)’s is/are eligible for the MCC/Tax Credit.
The lender must complete all 5 required documents/disclosures on behalf of the borrower and have the borrower sign the documents (borrowers should never complete their own MCC/Tax Credit document/disclosures).
If Idaho Housing has already purchased the loan, collect the $300 fee from the borrower ($200 goes to the lender and $100 comes to Idaho Housing) and mail the $100 check to Idaho Housing and Finance Association. On the check include the borrower’s name, Idaho Housing loan number and note that the check is for the MCC/Tax Credit fee. Mail the check to:
Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Attn: MCC Admin
565 W. Myrtle St.
Boise, Idaho 83702
If Idaho Housing has not purchased the loan, Idaho Housing will take our $100 from the wire at the time we purchase the loan from the lender.
In every case, the lender must upload all 5 required document/disclosures into the borrower’s file in Lender Connection as a “Purchase Conditions (Follow Up Documents)” as soon as possible, and notify Idaho Housing the borrower is adding the MCC. There are several software applications at Idaho Housing this information needs to be entered into or the borrower will not receive their MCC Certificate… This is very important.
All 5 required documents are found on the Home page of Lender Connection or the Home page of the Rate Sheet under QuickLinks.
How do I calculate income to determine eligibility for Idaho Housing loan programs?
- For “The First Loan” or the MCC/Tax Credit eligibility includes the entire household income for all residents who are 18+ years with income.
- For VA, RD, FHA, 15 & 20 year Conventional purchases and all Conventional Cash-out Refinances loan product eligibility include only the occupying borrower(s)’s income.
- For FNMA HFA Preferred Lo Mi and FHLMC Home Possible Advantage for HFAs loan product eligibility include all borrower(s)’s income (including any nonoccupant co-borrowers).
In order to determine if the borrower(s) will qualify for Idaho Housing programs follow agency guidelines.
Do you allow escrow holdbacks?
Does the non-borrowing spouse need to sign the Deed of Trust?
What documents always require a wet signature?
- Note – Required by investors
- Deed of Trust – Required by investors
- Final Closing Disclosure – Required by investors
- Signature Affidavit – Required by investors
- Borrower’s Authorization – Required for our Quality Assurance Process
- 4506T – Required for our Quality Assurance Process and for the IRS
- Borrower Affidavit (First and MCC) – Required due to notarization requirement
- SSA-89 – Required for our Quality Assurance Process and for the Social Security Administration
Will Idaho Housing Re-cast mortgages?
Re-casting is considered on a case by case basis. If you are interested in a recast email resloan@ihfa.org or call 855-505-4700, ext 8600 and we will send your request to those who can review it.
Re-casting is not guaranteed and a request for recasting may be denied.
