Today's FHA Loan Rates
Optimal Blue OBMMI via FRED
vs. previous business day
An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Because the government insures the loan against default, lenders can offer more flexible qualification requirements, including lower credit scores and smaller down payments than conventional mortgages.
Today's FHA rate is , compared to ____ for a conventional 30-year fixed loan.
FHA loans are designed for borrowers who may not qualify for conventional financing. They can be especially useful for buyers with limited savings, lower credit scores, or first-time homebuyer needs. Mortgage insurance and long-term costs should still be compared carefully.
FHA loans generally include an upfront mortgage insurance premium and an annual mortgage insurance premium paid monthly. The exact cost and duration depend on the loan amount, term, and down payment.
Improve your credit profile, reduce outstanding debt, increase your down payment where possible, and compare offers from multiple FHA-approved lenders.
Today's FHA mortgage rate is 6.43% from Optimal Blue daily data. Your actual rate depends on credit score, down payment, lender, and loan amount.
You need a minimum 580 credit score for the 3.5% down payment option. Scores between 500-579 require 10% down. Most lenders prefer 620+ for the best rates and easier approval.
FHA requires an upfront premium of 1.75% of the loan amount (usually rolled into the loan) plus an annual premium of 0.55% paid monthly. On a $300,000 loan, that's about $5,250 upfront and $138/month.
If you put less than 10% down, MIP lasts for the life of the loan. The only way to remove it is to refinance into a conventional loan once you have 20% equity. With 10%+ down, MIP drops off after 11 years.
FHA rates are often similar to or slightly below conventional rates. Today's FHA rate is 6.43% vs. 6.65% for conventional. However, total cost may be higher due to mandatory mortgage insurance.
For 2025, the FHA floor limit is $524,225 for most areas and the ceiling is $1,209,750 for high-cost counties. Limits vary by county — check HUD's website for your area's specific limit.
No. While FHA loans are popular with first-time buyers, any borrower can use them for a primary residence. You can even use FHA for a second home purchase if you've outgrown your current one, though you can only have one FHA loan at a time in most cases.
