The FHA loan, also known as the Federal Housing Administration mortgage loan, is offered in the United States as a method for low-income families to find a mortgage loan. They are common in Columbia, Missouri as the 2000 Census reported the median income of residents to be set around $35,000.

Qualifying for an FHA mortgage loan will still take a somewhat fair credit rating. Although low-income families typically have poor credit, the FHA mortgage loan process is streamlined for those who have a rating of 580 and greater. If you have not built credit, you may work with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a credit rating based on your past with financial responsibility.

The down payment requirements for an FHA loan are bare-bones. You may only have to spend as little as 3% of the total of your mortgage loan in order to get approved. This is compared to regular mortgages that might span 5%-10% as a minimum. Closing costs are also discounted as those who qualify may receive up to 6% towards closing costs.

For the FHA to guarantee your loan, they will need to know that you are trustworthy. The normal rules apply: a look at your employment history, citizenship of Missouri and the United States, debt ratios, and whether or not you have declared bankruptcy in the past decade. The FHA only guarantees loans for those who qualify- it is by no means a magic cure for anyone down on their luck.