FHA Loan Requirements Guide for First-Time Home Buyers
Complete FHA loan requirements guide: credit score minimums, down payment options, debt-to-income limits, and mortgage insurance requirements for 2026.
Summary
FHA loans help first-time buyers with lower credit and down payment requirements. This guide explains 2026 FHA requirements and qualification steps.
Key Steps
- 1Meet credit score minimum: 500 for 10% down, 580 for 3.5% down.
- 2Verify employment: 2-year work history with stable income.
- 3Calculate debt-to-income ratio: maximum 43% back-end DTI.
- 4Budget for mortgage insurance: 1.75% upfront + annual MIP (0.15-0.75%).
- 5Find FHA-approved lender: compare rates from multiple lenders.