Summit, IL USDA Home Loans vs Summit, IL FHA Home Loans: Which is Right for You?
Homeownership is a dream for many people. To make it achievable for a wider range of individuals, there are various mortgage programs available. Among the most popular are USDA Home Loans and Summit, IL FHA Home Loans. Both of these loan programs aim to assist buyers, especially those with low-to-moderate incomes, but they serve different populations and have distinct criteria. Let’s delve into the differences and similarities of these two loan types to help you decide which one might be right for you.
Summit, IL USDA Home Loans
1. What it is: The Summit, IL USDA Home Loan program is backed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It’s designed to help rural residents, especially those with lower incomes, purchase homes.
2. Eligibility:
- Location: Homes must be located in eligible rural areas as defined by the USDA.
- Income limits: There are maximum income limits, which vary based on the size of the household and the county in which the property is located.
- Credit score: While the USDA doesn’t have a set credit score requirement, most lenders require at least a 640 score.
3. Benefits:
- No down payment: USDA loans allow for 100% financing.
- Competitive interest rates: Often lower than conventional loans.
- Low mortgage insurance: The upfront guarantee fee can be rolled into the loan, and the annual fee is generally lower than FHA mortgage insurance.
4. Limitations:
- Geographic restrictions: The program is limited to certain rural areas.
- Income caps: Not suitable for those with higher incomes.
Summit, IL FHA Home Loans
1. What it is: FHA Home Loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). This program aims to help those with low-to-moderate incomes and Summit first-time homebuyers purchase homes.
2. Eligibility:
- Credit score: Borrowers need a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for the 3.5% down payment. Those with scores between 500-579 can still qualify but will need a 10% down payment.
- Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Generally, the ratio should be less than 43%, but exceptions can be made with compensating factors.
- Mortgage Insurance: Borrowers are required to pay both an upfront and an annual mortgage insurance premium.
3. Benefits:
- Low down payment: Requires only 3.5% down with a 580 credit score.
- Flexible credit requirements: Suitable for those with lower credit scores.
- Assumable mortgage: An Summit, IL FHA loan can be assumed by a future buyer, which can be a selling point in a rising interest rate environment.
4. Limitations:
- Mortgage insurance: FHA loans come with both upfront and ongoing mortgage insurance premiums.
- Loan limits: There are maximum loan amounts, which vary by county.
Which is Right for You?
Your decision between a USDA Home Loan and an Summit, IL FHA Home Loan will largely depend on your individual circumstances:
- Location of Desired Property: If you’re looking at a home in a rural area, the USDA loan might be the best fit. If you’re considering urban or suburban areas, an FHA loan may be the only option among the two.
- Down Payment: If you don’t have a down payment, a USDA loan, with its 100% financing, can be attractive.
- Credit Score: If you have a lower credit score, the FHA loan might be more forgiving.
- Income: Remember that USDA loans in Summit, IL have income caps which could rule out higher earners, while FHA loans in Summit do not.
To make the best decision, consider speaking with a mortgage professional who can provide advice tailored to your situation. Both Summit, IL USDA and FHA loans offer opportunities for homeownership, but the right one for you will depend on your personal and financial circumstances.
Questions about the Summit, IL USDA and FHA loan options? Call today (888)416-4805.
We service the following areas for FHA and USDA loans.
Learn more about Summit, Illinois
Summit is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,161 at the 2020 census. The name Summit, in use since 1836, refers to the highest point on the Chicago Portage between the northeast-flowing Chicago River and the southwest-flowing Des Plaines River located just north of the village. Argo is a subdivision annexed by Summit in 1911 when it was new. Named for the nearby cornstarch and baking powder manufacturing plant, it developed separately from the older part of the village. The name “Argo” is still widely used but is not part of the name of the village itself. According to the 2010 census, Summit has a total area of 2.257 square miles (5.85 km2), of which 2.12 square miles (5.49 km2) (or 93.93%) is land and 0.137 square miles (0.35 km2) (or 6.07%) is water. Most of Summit is in the floodplain of the Des Plaines River. The area around Summit has been hunted and traveled through for 12,000 years but only continuously occupied since 900CE. When Europeans first arrived the area was inhabited or used by the Meskwaki, Illini, Miami, Sauk, and Chippewa-Ottawa-Potawatomi tribes. In 1673 the Marquette-Joliet expedition arrived at the portage north of the village and went on to the location of Chicago. At that time the importance of a portage was noted. A local trading network developed from that time until the Native Americans were removed beginning in 1816.