Arecibo FHA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

Arecibo, PR

FHA loans are mortgages created in the 1930's to help insulate lenders from credit risks and help promote home ownership. The Federal Housing Administration (hence, FHA) allows for lower downpayments and credit scores-- making these loans much more accessible than traditional mortgages.

FHA loans typically need just a 3.5% downpayment with credit scores of 580 or better. For credit scores between 500-579, the downpayment needs to be at least 10%.

While FHA loans make home ownership much more accessible to first-time homebuyers, they do require PMI (purchase money insurance)-- an additional insurance premium that is paid to the FHA to help cover defaults.

For additional requirements as defined by the FHA, click here.

Arecibo's 20 lenders originated 195 FHA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $25,425,000, with an average FHA loan value of $130,385.

Arecibo FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

30 Year FHA mortgages in Arecibo averaged -0.39% for the week of 2024-11-29, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 0% for the same period.

Arecibo's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $7,163.

The average rate for the prior week (2024-11-22) was 6.3% and one month ago for the week of 2024-10-25, the average rate was 5.78%.

The average rate one year ago was 6.67%.

For refis of the same type during the week of 2024-11-29, the average rate was -0.1%.

Click on whitespace and scroll within the chart to zoom in/out. Larger bubbles equate with more originations.

Arecibo FHA Loan Lenders by Rates & Fees

The below table looks at the average fees/closing costs and rates for FHA 30 Year Fixed Rate (purchase, first lien) mortgages originated by each lender at the Arecibo level.

Name # of Loans 2023 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2023 Avg. Closing Costs
METRO ISLAND MORTGAGE, INC. 29 6.40% $10,221
FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO 22 5.52% $8,749
THE MONEY HOUSE INC. 22 6.75% $7,944
SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. 19 6.66% $8,799
Oriental Bank 17 5.91% $8,566
PREFERRED MORTGAGE CORPORATION 12 6.42% $8,637
HOME MORTGAGE BANKERS CORP. 12 6.81% $10,598
Banco Popular de Puerto Rico 9 5.72% $9,787
RM ACTUAL MORTGAGE, INC. 7 7.21% $7,481
TRUST MORTGAGE, CORP 5 6.05% $11,605
VIG MORTGAGE CORPORATION 4 6.94% $7,461
E.M.I. EQUITY MORTGAGE, INC. 4 6.81% $8,050
Senior Mortgage Bankers Inc 4 6.44% $7,444
COOPERATIVA DE AHORRO Y CREDITO LA PUERTORRIQUEÑA 3 6.92% $9,456
FIRST EQUITY MORTGAGE BANKERS, INC. 2 6.50% $9,213
Rf Mortgage & Investment Corp 2 6.50% $15,336
MULTIPLES MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 6.63% $7,652
CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 1 7.25% $11,610
Capital Mortgage Services Corp. 1 7.50% $6,987
HR MORTGAGE CORP. 1 6.75% $6,137

The top Arecibo FHA lender as defined by loan originations is METRO ISLAND MORTGAGE, INC., with 29 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $10,221, which is $1,472 higher than the next largest lender, FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO.

The lowest fee Arecibo FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are THE MONEY HOUSE INC. ($7,944), Oriental Bank ($8,566), PREFERRED MORTGAGE CORPORATION ($8,637), FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO ($8,749) and SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. ($8,799).

The lowest rate Arecibo FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO (5.52%), Oriental Bank (5.91%), METRO ISLAND MORTGAGE, INC. (6.40%), PREFERRED MORTGAGE CORPORATION (6.42%) and SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. (6.66%).

Arecibo FHA Loan Limits

Metro County Year Single Family Limit 2 Family Limit 3 Family Limit 4 Family Limit
ARECIBO, PR ARECIBO 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
ARECIBO, PR CAMUY 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
ARECIBO, PR HATILLO 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
ARECIBO, PR QUEBRADILLAS 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
ARECIBO, PR ARECIBO 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
ARECIBO, PR CAMUY 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
ARECIBO, PR HATILLO 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
ARECIBO, PR QUEBRADILLAS 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900

FHA Loan Requirements

  • Borrowers must have a steady employment history or worked for the same employer for the past two years.
  • Borrowers must have a valid Social Security number, lawful residency in the U.S. and be of legal age to sign a mortgage in your state.
  • Borrowers must pay a minimum down payment of 3.5 percent. The money may be gifted by a family member. (Traditional mortgages do not permit gifted down payments)
  • New FHA loans are only available for primary residence occupancy.
  • Borrowers must have a property appraisal from a FHA-approved appraiser.
  • Borrowers’ front-end ratio (mortgage payment plus HOA fees, property taxes, mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance) needs to be less than 31 percent of their gross income, typically. You may be able to get approved with as high a percentage as 40 percent. Your lender will be required to provide justification as to why they believe the mortgage presents an acceptable risk. The lender must include any compensating factors used for loan approval.
  • Borrowers’ debt to income ratio (mortgage plus all your monthly debt, i.e., credit card payment, car payment, student loans, etc.) needs to be less than 43 percent of their gross income, typically. You may be able to get approved with as high a percentage as 50 percent.
  • Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 580 for maximum financing with a minimum down payment of 3.5 percent.
  • Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 500-579 for maximum LTV of 90 percent with a minimum down payment of 10 percent.
  • Bborrowers must be two years out of bankruptcy and have re-established good credit. Exceptions can be made.
  • Typically borrowers must be three years out of foreclosure and have re-established good credit.
  • The purchased property must meet certain minimum standards at appraisal. If the home you are purchasing does not meet these standards and a seller will not agree to the required repairs, your only option is to pay for the required repairs at closing (to be held in escrow until the repairs are complete).