The FHA mortgage guide that doesn’t sell mortgages.
Independent research on FHA loans — what they cost, who qualifies, when they make sense, and when they don’t. No lender relationships. No lead forms.
No lender relationships
We earn nothing if you get a loan.
Every fact cited.
HUD, FHA.gov, and CFPB sources, linked inline.
No personal data sold.
No “check your rate” form. No lead routing.
What is an FHA loan?
An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Because the government backs the loan against default, private lenders can offer lower credit score requirements and smaller down payments than they’d otherwise accept — typically 3.5% down with a 580 credit score.
That makes FHA a good fit for specific borrowers in specific situations. Whether it’s right for you depends on your credit score, your savings, the property you’re buying, and what other loan programs you might qualify for.
This site covers all of it: the requirements, the costs, the fine print, and the honest comparison with alternatives.There are several advantages to FHA mortgages that make them an attractive option for many homebuyers.
FHA Basics and Eligibility
The requirements, credit score tiers, and income rules. Everything that determines whether you qualify
Costs and down payments
What you will actually pay at closing and every month, including the mortgage insurance that most guides under-explain
Loan types
Standard purchase loans
The 203k for renovation projects
The streamline refinance for existing borrowers
And more
Loan limits by state
What FHA will finance in your county. Updated for 2026 with a county-by-county lookup
FHA Basics and Eligibility
The requirements, credit score tiers, and income rules. Everything that determines whether you qualify
Costs and down payments
What you will actually pay at closing and every month, including the mortgage insurance that most guides under-explain
Loan types
Standard purchase loans
The 203k for renovation projects
The streamline refinance for existing borrowers
And more
Loan limits by state
What FHA will finance in your county. Updated for 2026 with a county-by-county lookup
Tools that give you a straight answer.
MIP calculator
What you will pay in FHA mortgage insurance, up front and monthly, based on your loan amount, term, and down payment
Coming soon...
FHA Loan Limit Look Up
What you will pay in FHA mortgage insurance, up front and monthly, based on your loan amount, term, and down payment
Coming soon…
Why trust WhyFHA?
Most FHA content online is produced by lenders, mortgage aggregators, or sites that earn referral fees when you apply for a loan. The content is usually accurate — but the incentives shape what gets emphasized and what doesn’t.
We don’t originate loans. There’s no signup form on this site, no “check your rate” button, and no financial relationship with any lender mentioned here. That independence means we can tell you when FHA is not the right loan for your situation, which is something a lender can’t easily say.