Knowledge Base
The Knowledge Base has more than 1930 support references, created by support professionals who have resolved issues for our customers. It is constantly updated, expanded, and refined to ensure that you have access to the very latest information. Begin by browsing folders on the left side of this site.
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Appraisal/Property Analysis
- System Support After logging an appraisal in FHAC can a lender make changes in the Appraisal Logging screen?
- Property Eligibility Are properties having a well acceptable for FHA financing?
- Property Eligibility Are properties located next to gas stations eligible for insurance?
- Appraisal Procedures Are there any special requirements to consider when making an FHA mortgage on a leasehold property?
- Electronic Appraisal (EAD) Can a Mortgagee use a conventional, VA, or USDA appraisal in EAD?
- Appraisal Procedures Can a Mortgagee waive any repair requirements reported by the Appraiser?
- Documentation Requirements Can an appraisal be re-used to facilitate a refinance?
- Appraisal Procedures Can an appraisal ordered for conventional or government guaranteed loan purposes be used for an FHA transaction?
- Electronic Appraisal (EAD) Can an appraisal uploaded in error be deleted in the Electronic Appraisal Delivery (EAD) Portal?
- Appraisal Procedures Can an energy system that is not owned by the borrower contribute to the property's appraised value?
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- Closing and Insuring
- Documentation Requirements Are housing counseling disclosures required for Back to Work borrowers?
- Title Issues Are properties encumbered with PACE obligations eligible for FHA-insured financing?
- Mortgage Insurance Are there late fees associated with late payment of the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP)?
- Documentation Requirements Are there special documentation requirements for Construction to Permanent Mortgages?
- Allowable Closing Costs/Fees Can a borrower be charged an Administrative Fee by the real estate broker on an FHA loan?
- Mortgage Insurance Can a borrower have an option to receive an UFMIP refund in cash if refinancing to a new FHA loan?
- Allowable Closing Costs/Fees Can a borrower lock in the interest rate on HECM mortgages?
- Allowable Closing Costs/Fees Can a borrower pay his own real estate agent a buyer/broker fee?
- Documentation Requirements Can a DE lender originate FHA loans as a sponsored TPO?
- Allowable Closing Costs/Fees Can a lender charge a Commitment or Rate Lock Fee?
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- Condo Project Approval
- Condominium Project Approval Are Reserve Studies required for all existing as well as new construction condominiums?
- Condominium Project Approval Can a condo project whose approval was previously rejected or withdrawn be processed using DELRAP?
- Condominium Project Approval Can a loan close if the condominium project approval expires after the case number is assigned?
- Condominium Project Approval Can I do a loan in a condominium project that is not FHA approved?
- Condominium Project Approval Can I refinance a loan in a condominium project whose approval has been withdrawn?
- Condominium Project Approval Status How can I check the status of an FHA Condominium Approval submission?
- Condominium Project Approval How do I get missing or incorrect condo project information updated in FHA Connection?
- Condominium Project Approval How do I know if a specific street was included in a condo project approval listed in FHAC?
- Condominium Project Approval How do I submit an exception request for a mixed-use condominium project?
- Condominium Project Approval How long does it take to get a condo project approved using HRAP and where do I send the documents?
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- Consumer Information
- Mortgage Insurance Am I eligible for an FHA insured loan if I don't pay the required mortgage insurance premiums?
- Mortgage Insurance Are the FHA mortgage insurance premiums that I pay tax deductible?
- Energy Efficiency Are there alternative financing options for making energy improvements other than PACE?
- General Purchase Info Are there FHA programs available for single parents?
- Mortgage Limits Are there higher FHA mortgage limits in 2017 for properties in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam or Virgin Islands?
- Mortgage Insurance Can a first time buyer obtain a reduction to their FHA mortgage insurance premium?
- Energy Efficiency Can I combine the EEM program with Section 203(k)?
- Mortgage Insurance Can I get a refund of my mortgage insurance on an FHA reverse mortgage?
- Energy Efficiency Can I make energy related repairs without doing an EEM mortgage?
- General Purchase Info Can I use an FHA mortgage to purchase a condominium?
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- Credit Underwriting
- Credit History/Credit Report Are borrowers with a foreclosure, short sale, or bankruptcy eligible for Back to Work?
- Documentation Requirements Are copies of tax returns required for a borrower with self-employment or commission income?
- Assets/Funds to Close Are government entities required to provide a gift letter?
- Borrower Eligibility Are loan amounts restricted when the purchase involves an identity of interest?
- Borrower Eligibility Are non-occupant co-borrowers allowed under Back to Work guidelines?
- Refinance Transactions Are partial claim amounts calculated in the CLTV ratio for FHA Streamline Refinance transactions?
- Assets/Funds to Close Are reserves required for borrowers with manually underwritten loans?
- Documentation Requirements Are separate loan applications required for unmarried co-borrowers?
- Refinance Transactions Are termite inspections required on Streamline Refinance transactions?
- Borrower Eligibility Are there age requirements for borrowers using FHA financing?
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- FHA System Support
- General User Assistance Are HECM case numbers automatically canceled if there has been no last action for six months?
- Case Number Assignment Can a lender request an FHA case number prior to taking a loan application?
- General User Assistance Can a social security number be used instead of an EIN to register a sponsored originator?
- Case Number Assignment Can a streamline refinance case number be assigned prior to the end of the 6 month seasoning period?
- General User Assistance Can an FHA lender acting as a sponsored TPO access the case in the FHA Connection?
- ID/Password Issues Can I share my FHA Connection password with another employee in my company?
- General User Assistance Can lenders see the existing unpaid principal balance for an FHA-to-FHA refinance in FHA Connection?
- ID/Password Issues Can lenders share one User ID and Password for access to FHA Connection?
- General User Assistance Do FHA Case Numbers Expire?
- General User Assistance Do I have to use FHA Connection to process cases?
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- Forward Servicing
- Foreclosure/Conveyance Are automatic extensions allowed to perform the first legal action initiating foreclosure?
- Loss Mitigation Are Deed-in-Lieu (DIL) transactions reported to Consumer Reporting Agencies and the IRS as foreclosures?
- Default Servicing Are face-to-face interviews required for Borrowers with a delinquent FHA mortgage?
- Payment/Insurance Admin Are FHA Mortgagees required to perform analysis of Escrow Accounts on FHA mortgages?
- Special Programs Are FHA-insured mortgages assumable?
- Loss Mitigation Are FHA-insured mortgages subject to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)?
- Loss Mitigation Are Informal and Formal Forbearances eligible for loss mitigation incentive payments?
- Claims Are Mortgagees exempt from state and local Preservation & Protection laws for properties with FHA-insured mortgages?
- Foreclosure/Conveyance Are Mortgagees required to collect rents from tenants who occupy properties undergoing foreclosure?
- Loss Mitigation Are Mortgagees required to inspect properties during the Pre-Foreclosure Sale period?
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- HUD Owned Properties
- Discount Programs Are list price discounts offered to Nonprofits on HUD homes in Competitive sales periods?
- Discount Programs Are list price discounts on HUD Homes offered to governmental agencies in Competitive sales periods?
- Agent/Broker Information Are there classes available for real estate agents on how to sell HUD Homes?
- Bid Information Are there limitations to the number of HUD Homes that an investor can purchase?
- Agent/Broker Information Can a bid be placed on a HUD Home if the Broker’s NAID has expired?
- Bid Information Can a buyer cancel the sales contract for a HUD Real Estate Owned (REO) Property based on the results of a home inspection?
- General Purchase Info Can a non-occupying borrower on a property that was foreclosed upon, repurchase the same property from HUD?
- Agent/Broker Information Can a real estate broker email documents when applying for or recertifying their Name and Address Identification Number (NAID)?
- General Purchase Info Can a tenant purchase a HUD Real Estate Owned (REO) property before it is listed for sale?
- Discount Programs Can an individual purchase a HUD Home for a dollar?
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- Lender Approval/Eligibility
- Operation Requirements Are FHA-approved mortgagees required to complete the Administrative Contact Information in LEAP?
- Operation Requirements Are FHA-approved Mortgagees required to report all income of its employees on a W-2 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?
- DE Mortgagee Approval Are there additional test case requirements to be granted Unconditional DE authority for HECM loans?
- Operation Requirements Are there advertising and marketing requirements that apply to the HECM program?
- Operation Requirements At which points in HUD/FHA processes must an NMLS ID be provided?
- Operation Requirements Can a loan originator with a real estate license represent the buyer in a purchase transaction?
- DE Mortgagee Approval Can a Mortgagee appeal if they are denied Unconditional DE authority?
- Annual Recert Requirements Can a mortgagee obtain an extension for submission of their financial statements in LEAP?
- Lender Application Procedures Can a Mortgagee that was once FHA approved become FHA approved again?
- Lender Application Procedures Can an FHA approved Mortgagee share officers and/or owners with other entities?
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- Misrouted Contacts
- Mortgage Insurance Refunds Am I eligible for a mortgage insurance refund?
- Servicing Are there late fees associated with monthly mortgage insurance payments?
- RESPA Can a builder charge me more for my home if I do not use the builder's affiliated lender or other affiliated business partners?
- Servicing Can an estate receive a third time extension to sell a property insured with a HECM loan?
- Servicing Can due and payable approval be rescinded if the HECM default has been cured?
- EHLP/Hardest Hit Can I still apply for assistance under the HUD Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP)?
- Servicing Can servicers be reimbursed more than the maximum claim amount on a HECM?
- Servicing Can the monthly MIP amount decrease if a borrower makes pre-payments on their FHA-insured loan?
- Servicing Can the mortgagee sell an acquired HECM property for less than the appraised value?
- Mortgage Insurance Refunds Does a borrower have to pay a fee to collect their FHA mortgage insurance refund?
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- Partner Approval/Eligibility
- Application Procedures Can a nonprofit entity qualify as a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency?
- Eligibility Requirements Can a nonprofit hire a for-profit consultant or developer to run its affordable housing program?
- Eligibility Requirements Can I share a DE underwriter with a subsidiary?
- Eligibility Requirements Can nonprofit entities participate in the Section 203(k) Rehabilitation loan program?
- Eligibility Requirements Do net development cost guidelines apply to all HUD Homes purchased at a discount by a nonprofit?
- Secondary Financing Do nonprofits assisting with a Governmental Entity's secondary financing assistance program require FHA approval?
- Application Procedures Does a Nonprofit Instrumentality of Government require FHA approval to participate in FHA’s Single Family nonprofit programs?
- Application Procedures Does HUD approve or certify individuals to be housing counselors?
- Training Opportunities Does HUD offer training?
- Application Procedures Does HUD still approve home builders?
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- Quality Control/Compliance
- Quality Control Plan Are both FHA approved lenders and their sponsored TPOs required by FHA to have a QC plan?
- Quality Control Plan Are FHA approved lenders required to implement and to maintain an FHA Quality Control Plan?
- Quality Control Plan Are FHA record retention requirements different for documents with electronic signatures?
- Quality Control Plan Are lenders required to indemnify when cases are reported via the NW Lender Reporting tool?
- Permissable Payments Are referral fees allowed in the origination of FHA insured single family loans?
- Sanctions Are the Mortgagee Review Board’s actions publicized?
- Permissable Payments Are there any fees a lender is not allowed to pay?
- Quality Control Plan Can a lender use the HUD or FHA seal, logo or acronym in its advertising?
- Sanctions Can a mortgagee be present at the Mortgagee Review Board meeting?
- Quality Control Plan Can a Sponsored Third Party Originator use the "FHA Approved Lending Institution" logo?
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- Rehabilitation Programs
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Can a 203(k) be used to construct a windstorm shelter?
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Can a 203(k) be used to reconstruct a structure on an existing foundation?
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Can a lender process a 203(k) rehabilitation mortgage for an investor?
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Can an existing structure be moved to a new foundation using 203(k)?
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Can I rehab a building having both residential and commercial space under Section 203(k)?
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Can lead-based paint stabilization be included in a 203(k)?
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Can manufactured housing be repaired using Section 203(k)?
- Energy Efficiency Can solar and wind technologies and other energy efficient improvements be financed using a 203(k)?
- Escrow Accounts Can the 203(k) contingency reserve be used for other repairs?
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Can the 203(k) program be used to elevate the existing foundation of a home?
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- Processing Guidelines
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Are borrowers allowed to choose the type of interest rate and payment option in a HECM transaction?
- Processing Guidelines Are borrowers with delinquent federal tax debt or tax liens eligible for a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)?
- Processing Guidelines Are contingent liabilities included in the expense analysis for a HECM Borrower?
- Processing Guidelines Are disputed derogatory credit accounts included in the expense analysis for a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Borrower?
- Processing Guidelines Are existing HECM borrowers eligible for a reduction of the UFMIP on a HECM purchase?
- HECM Servicing Are HECM borrowers still considered in default if they bring all property charges current?
- HECM Servicing Are HECMs eligible for Mortgagee Optional Election (MOE) Assignment for reasons other than death of the last surviving borrower?
- Basic Eligibility Requirements Are HOA, PUD, condo fee, and other assessments included in a Fully-Funded Life Expectancy Set-Aside for a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)?
- HECM Servicing Are Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) borrowers with outstanding HOA/Condo fees eligible for permissive loss mitigation review?
- Processing Guidelines Are Private Savings Clubs an acceptable source of funds for a HECM borrower?
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