The answer is an absolute Yes! You can refinance a conventional, VA or Portfolio loan into an FHA Loan.
FHA Refinance Loans For Conventional To FHA
It is possible to refinance a conventional mortgage to an FHA loan. According to the FHA loan handbook, HUD 4000.1, there are several options for FHA refinancing, including non-FHA to FHA transactions:
“FHA insures several different types of refinance transactions:
- Cash-out refinances are designed to pull equity out of the Property.
- No cash-out refinances of FHA-insured and non FHA-insured Mortgages are designed to pay existing liens. These include: Rate and Term refinance, Simple Refinance, and Streamline Refinance.
- Refinances of non FHA-insured Mortgages are available for qualified Borrowers in negative equity positions (Short Refi).
- Refinances for rehabilitation or repair (Section 203(k)).”
FHA Refinance Rules of eligibility:
Borrowers must financially qualify to refinance a mortgage loan with an FHA mortgage. FICO score requirements vary depending on the lender, but in general you should treat a refinance loan application exactly the same as the new purchase application.
That means you should check your credit scores, make sure you have 12 months of on-time payments on all financial obligations, etc. You will not be required to make a down payment on an FHA refinance loan, but the LTV varies depending on the type of refinance. ( Visit our Loan Options Tab on our website and view our full menu of FHA products)