An FHA loan is a type of government home loan program that the Federal Housing Administration insures. It’s a popular mortgage choice, especially for first-time homebuyers, because an FHA loan has lower down payment requirements than conventional loans.
But there are extra costs related to these loans that you might not be aware of. You can use an FHA loan calculator. to help figure out what your monthly mortgage payment and total cost might be.
Why Use a FHA Loan Mortgage Calculator Table
An FHA loan mortgage calculator table has several benefits for homebuyers. These include:
• Cost estimations: The calculator table can provide estimates of monthly mortgage payments. It helps borrowers plan their budget by showing the expenses involved in buying a home.
• Time-saving: Mortgage calculations can be confusing and complicated for first-time homebuyers. The calculator table helps simplify and speed up this process.
• Comparison tool: Buyers can compare options by entering different scenarios into the calculator table. A different interest rate or purchase price will change the monthly payment amounts. A buyer can compare homes and even different types of mortgage loans to help decide which property and loan to move forward with.
• Informed decision-making: An aspiring homebuyer can use the table to determine the various costs involved in an FHA loan. They can plug in different numbers, such as a lower or higher down payment or a different loan term to see how that might change their monthly payments.
• Financial planning: Overall, the calculator could help borrowers figure out what they can afford now and how to plan for future payments.
💡 Quick Tip: With SoFi, it takes just minutes to view your rate for a home loan online.
First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.
How to Calculate Your FHA Loan Mortgage Costs
Calculating a government home loan like an FHA loan mortgage involves several steps. These include:
1. Determining the loan’s principal amount and interest. The principal is the amount of money the homebuyer borrows from the lender. The interest is the cost of borrowing the money.
2. Adding property taxes and homeowners insurance. Homebuyers typically pay state and local property taxes. And you’ll also need homeowner’s insurance to insure the house against theft, damage, or loss, among other things.
3. Including the Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP). The MIP protects lenders in case the borrower defaults on their mortgage payments. Borrowers pay an upfront MIP of 1.75% of the loan amount, and then they pay an annual MIP that’s typically charged in monthly installments as part of the mortgage payment.
4. Adding the loan term. This is the length of the loan, which is usually 15 to 30 years for an FHA loan.
5. Finally, plugging all the information listed above into an FHA mortgage loan calculator table to estimate the total monthly mortgage cost.
This is what the table for a mortgage calculator for an FHA loan might look like. You can use the table as a template or starting point to fill in the information, adjusting as needed, and then make your calculations.
| 2024 FHA Loan Mortgage Calculator Table |
|---|
| Purchase Price |
| Down Payment |
| Interest Rates |
| Property Tax |
| MIP |
| 30-year vs 15-year Term |
| Total Interest Paid |
Recommended: How do FHA 203(k) Home Loans Work?
Examples of FHA Loan Mortgage Calculations
Here are two examples of FHA loan calculations to give you an idea of how the process works. Keep in mind that there might be additional costs to consider, such as closing costs.
Example #1
• Loan amount: $200,000
• Interest rate: 3.5%
• Loan term: 30 years
• Annual property taxes: $2,500
• Annual homeowners insurance: $800
• Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) rate: 0.85%
First, calculate the monthly interest rate:
Monthly Interest Rate = 3.5% / 12 = 0.0029167
Next, calculate the monthly principal and interest:
Monthly Payment = ($200,000 * 0.0029167) / (1 – (1 + 0.0029167)^(-360)) Monthly Payment = $898.09
Then, calculate the annual and monthly Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP):
Annual MIP = $200,000 * 0.0085 = $1,700. Monthly MIP = $1,700 / 12 = $141.67
Add property taxes and homeowners insurance:
Monthly Property Taxes = $2,500 / 12 = $208.33
Monthly Homeowners Insurance = $800 / 12 = $66.67
Calculate the total monthly mortgage costs:
Total Monthly Mortgage Costs = $898.09 (Principal & Interest) + $141.67 (MIP) + $208.33 (Property Taxes) + $66.67 (Homeowners Insurance) = $1,314.76
The total monthly mortgage cost per month is $1,314.76.
Example #2
• Loan amount: $150,000
• Interest rate: 4.0%
• Loan term: 15 years
• Annual property taxes: $3,000
• Annual homeowners insurance: $900
• Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) rate: 0.75%
First, calculate the monthly interest rate:
Monthly Interest Rate = 4.0% / 12 = 0.0033333
Next, calculate the monthly principal and interest:
Monthly Payment = ($150,000 * 0.0033333) / (1 – (1 + 0.0033333)^(-180)) Monthly Payment = $1,081.03
Then, calculate the annual and monthly Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP):
Annual MIP = $150,000 * 0.0075 = $1,125. Monthly MIP = $1,125 / 12 = $93.75
Add property taxes and homeowners insurance:
Monthly Property Taxes = $3,000 / 12 = $250
Monthly Homeowners Insurance = $900 / 12 = $75
Calculate the total monthly mortgage costs:
Total Monthly Mortgage Costs = $1,081.03 (Principal & Interest) + $93.75 (MIP) + $250 (Property Taxes) + $75 (Homeowners Insurance) = $1,500.78
The total monthly mortgage cost per month is $1,500.78.
💡 Quick Tip: Don’t have a lot of cash on hand for a down payment? The minimum down payment for an FHA mortgage loan is just 3.5%.
Reasons to Calculate Your FHA Loan Mortgage First
There are a number of reasons why it makes sense to calculate an FHA mortgage before you move forward with such a mortgage. Here are five ways calculating your mortgage can be helpful.
• Determining what’s affordable: Determining the cost of the mortgage can help borrowers search for a home within their price range.
• Financial preparation: Buyers can see how much money they should plan to spend each month. They can then create a budget and financial plan in order to be prepared to meet the monthly payments.
• Comparing loan options: Buyers can look at different loan options to choose the one that works best for them. They can also see how a different interest rate, home price, or down payment amount will affect their monthly cost.
• Preventing surprises: Using the calculator helps borrowers understand what the loan costs will be so they don’t get hit with expenses they weren’t expecting.
• Helping with negotiation: The more informed a buyer is about the various costs associated with the loan and the terms, the better they may be at negotiating the best terms.
Recommended: Home Loan Help Center
Tips on How to Save on Your FHA Loan Mortgage
If you’re interested in getting an FHA mortgage, there are a few things you can do to help get the best deal for your situation.
Build your credit score. This is one of the tips to qualify for a mortgage that it’s good to know. Strengthening your credit may help you get better interest rate terms. Pay off your debts if you can, and pay your bills on time to help build your score.
Shop around for the best interest rate. Different lenders offer varying interest rates for FHA loans. See what you may qualify for. A higher credit score may help you get a better rate.
Consider making a higher down payment. This could potentially help make your overall mortgage amount and monthly payments lower.
Negotiate closing costs. Closing costs are typically 4% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. You may be able to negotiate with the lender to try to lower some of those costs.
Take advantage of down payment assistance programs. Many states and cities offer down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers.
Consider mortgage refinance when interest rates drop. If you get a lower rate when you refinance, you can typically reduce your monthly mortgage monthly payments.
The Takeaway
If you’re interested in an FHA loan, an FHA loan calculator can help you figure out the total costs of your loan and your monthly loan payments, which in turn can help you budget and plan for them. For instance, you’ll factor in such costs as homeowner’s insurance and Mortgage Insurance Premium.
Shopping around for the best interest rate and comparing different loan options may also help you save money on an FHA loan.
SoFi offers a wide range of FHA loan options that are easier to qualify for and may have a lower interest rate than a conventional mortgage. You can down as little as 3.5%. Plus, the Biden-Harris Administration has reduced monthly mortgage insurance premiums for new homebuyers to help offset higher interest rates.
Another perk: FHA loans are assumable mortgages!
FAQ
What are the new FHA limits for 2023?
The FHA’s nationwide limit “floor” and “ceiling” for a one-unit property in 2023 are $472,030 and $1,089,300, respectively.
What is the minimum credit score for FHA in 2023?
For an FHA loan, a minimum credit score of 580 and a down payment of 3.5 percent are required. You can still qualify with a credit score as low as 500 if you can increase your down payment to at least 10%.
How is an FHA loan amount calculated?
The FHA loan amount is calculated by determining the maximum loan size that a borrower qualifies for, which is typically based on the borrower’s income, creditworthiness, and the specific FHA loan program’s guidelines. The loan amount is further influenced by factors such as the property’s appraised value and the FHA’s required loan-to-value ratio.
Photo credit: iStock/ridvan_celik
¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
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