FHA loans are government-backed and built for buyers who don't have perfect credit or a large down payment. Low barrier to entry. Flexible qualification. Let's walk through how it works.
An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA doesn't lend you money โ it insures the loan, which means if you default, the lender gets paid. That guarantee lets lenders offer more flexible terms than a conventional loan would allow.
The result: you can buy a home with as little as 3.5% down and a 580 credit score. That opens the door for first-time buyers, buyers rebuilding credit, and anyone who hasn't had years to stack up a big down payment.
Quazel is a mortgage broker, not a bank. That means we shop your FHA loan across multiple wholesale lenders to find you the best rate available โ not just what one institution decides to offer that day.
Credit score a little low? We run a free rapid rescore analysis that identifies exactly which accounts are dragging your score and what to do about it. Some clients get to 580 in 30โ60 days with small, targeted changes. Ask about it on your call.
Down payment assistance programs can layer on top of FHA in all four states we're licensed in โ UT, ID, FL, and CO. Some programs cover the full 3.5%. Ask your Loan Officer which programs are active in your area.
FHA loan limits are set by county. The 2026 standard limit is $541,287 for a single-family home. High-cost counties go higher. Need more than the FHA limit? Ask us about conventional or jumbo options.
FHA loans require mortgage insurance premium (MIP) โ this is the cost of the government guarantee. It comes in two parts.
Want to eliminate MIP later? Once your home has enough equity โ through appreciation, principal paydown, or both โ you can refinance into a conventional loan with no mortgage insurance. Your Loan Officer will tell you exactly when that math makes sense for your situation.
FHA isn't always the better choice, and neither is conventional. It depends on your credit score, down payment, and how long you plan to stay. Here's the breakdown:
| Feature | FHA Loan | Conventional Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Down Payment | 3.5% (580+ credit) | 3% (qualifying programs) |
| Minimum Credit Score | 500 with 10% down | 620 typical minimum |
| Max DTI Ratio | Up to ~57% | 43โ50% depending on lender |
| Upfront Mortgage Insurance | 1.75% of loan | None |
| Monthly Mortgage Insurance | Required, may be permanent | Required under 20% down, but drops off |
| Investment Properties | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Property Condition | Stricter FHA appraisal standards | More flexible |
| Loan Limits | ~$541K standard (county-based) | $832,750 conforming standard |
| Gift Funds for Down Payment | Fully allowed | Allowed with documentation |
| Best For | Lower credit, limited down payment | Better credit, more flexibility |
We'll run both scenarios side by side. In about 10 minutes on a call, we can show you the exact monthly payment, total interest cost, and 5-year break-even point for FHA vs conventional โ so you pick the one that actually saves you money long-term.
A free 15-minute call is all it takes. We'll review your numbers and tell you exactly what you qualify for โ no pressure, no obligation.
New Point Lending, DBA Quazel Mortgage ยท NMLS #2133626 ยท Licensed in UT ยท ID ยท FL ยท CO ยท Equal Housing Opportunity