Athens FHA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA

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    • 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.

    Athens's 86 lenders originated 406 FHA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $104,380,000, with an average FHA loan value of $257,094.

    Athens FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

    30 Year FHA mortgages in Athens averaged 6.55% for the week of 2024-04-19, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 6.855% for the same period.

    Athens's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $7,719.

    The average rate for the prior week (2024-04-12) was 6.64% and one month ago for the week of 2024-03-15, the average rate was 6.31%.

    The average rate one year ago was 6.24%.

    For refis of the same type during the week of 2024-04-19, the average rate was 7.23%.

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

    Athens 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 Athens level.

    Name # of Loans 2023 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2023 Avg. Closing Costs
    QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 34 6.28% $11,400
    UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 24 6.33% $12,271
    MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC 20 6.59% $12,191
    FBC MORTGAGE, LLC 19 5.08% $9,444
    HOMESTAR FINANCIAL CORPORATION 15 6.58% $11,055
    Regions Bank 13 6.14% $11,468
    GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 13 6.54% $11,178
    BANKSOUTH MORTGAGE COMPANY, LLC 12 6.30% $11,087
    First Option Mortgage, LLC 12 6.70% $13,363
    Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 9 6.32% $12,320
    EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC. 9 7.38% $12,485
    FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 8 6.81% $14,172
    Synovus Bank 7 6.30% $10,460
    Ameris Bank 7 5.98% $12,640
    Colony Bank 7 6.34% $12,581
    FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 7 6.71% $12,752
    LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 7 6.52% $13,022
    PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 6 5.92% $12,733
    BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 6 6.75% $15,807
    NEWREZ LLC 6 6.48% $10,851
    CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 5 6.33% $10,585
    AMERICAN FINANCIAL NETWORK, INC. 4 6.28% $11,069
    Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC 4 5.88% $13,840
    Equity Prime Mortgage LLC 4 7.22% $12,894
    Bank of England 4 6.41% $9,629
    GENEVA FINANCIAL, LLC 4 6.81% $11,177
    AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 4 6.28% $14,328
    Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 4 6.72% $14,261
    Magnolia Bank 3 6.92% $8,769
    BancorpSouth 3 5.79% $10,371
    HOMEOWNERS FINANCIAL GROUP USA, LLC 3 6.17% $17,326
    NFM, INC. 3 7.21% $9,435
    ACOPIA, LLC 2 6.44% $11,135
    AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC. 2 7.19% $8,699
    AMERICAN FINANCING CORPORATION 2 7.00% $9,432
    AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC 2 5.88% $9,868
    ATLANTIC BAY MORTGAGE GROUP, L.L.C. 2 7.44% $13,583
    Capital City Home Loans, LLC 2 6.31% $18,625
    First Federal Bank 2 6.69% $8,874
    GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY 2 6.56% $10,847
    LIBERTY HOME MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 6.56% $17,159
    MEMBER FIRST MORTGAGE, LLC 2 5.88% $8,849
    MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. 2 6.25% $11,004
    NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE BANKERS, INC. 2 6.63% $13,093
    Plains Commerce Bank 2 6.19% $9,950
    RELIANCE FIRST CAPITAL, LLC 2 6.19% $6,747
    SOUTHEAST MORTGAGE OF GEORGIA, INC. 2 7.19% $11,370
    SOUTHPOINT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 2 6.25% $10,284
    STOCKTON MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 6.50% $11,186
    TOP FLITE FINANCIAL, INC. 2 6.81% $10,672
    TOWNE MORTGAGE COMPANY 2 6.00% $12,998
    VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC. 2 6.13% $14,715
    VILLAGE CAPITAL MORTGAGE 2 6.07% $14,852
    NATIONS RELIABLE LENDING, LLC 1 6.99% $11,303
    SWBC MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.25% $14,349
    NEW DAY FINANCIAL, LLC 1 7.50% $5,576
    CHURCHILL MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.63% $7,737
    Century Mortgage Company DBA Century Lending Company 1 6.25% $14,651
    PANORAMA MORTGAGE GROUP, LLC 1 6.75% $13,015
    CARDINAL FINANCIAL 1 6.63% $12,860
    CANOPY MORTGAGE, LLC 1 5.99% $13,515
    PHH Mortgage Corporation 1 5.63% $14,202
    Assurance Financial Group, L.L.C. 1 7.25% $17,929
    PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY 1 7.25% $12,961
    Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC 1 6.00% $6,670
    BM Real Estate Services, Inc. 1 7.13% $10,862
    BETTER MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.00% $34,338
    The Federal Savings Bank 1 6.63% $22,175
    RUOFF MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. 1 5.38% $9,863
    United Community Bank 1 6.00% $7,052
    AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD MORTGAGE ACCEPTANCE COMPANY LLC 1 5.38% $19,933
    South State Bank 1 6.25% $7,372
    SOVEREIGN LENDING GROUP INCORPORATED 1 6.13% $14,269
    GUARANTEED RATE AFFINITY, LLC 1 6.13% $11,048
    GEO-CORP, INC. 1 7.00% $27,439
    Truist 1 6.25% $6,451
    Flagstar Bank, FSB 1 7.25% $14,027
    First Heritage Mortgage, LLC 1 6.88% $17,088
    SUCCESS MORTGAGE PARTNERS, INC. 1 6.13% $15,071
    MILEND, INC. 1 5.75% $15,372
    MORTGAGE INVESTORS GROUP, INC. 1 6.00% $10,361
    Mortgage Research Center, LLC 1 7.13% $6,313
    MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS OF COLORADO, LLC 1 6.75% $10,062
    FIRST COMMUNITY MORTGAGE, INC. 1 7.25% $12,442
    DAS Acquisition Company, LLC 1 6.63% $10,015
    SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. 1 7.60% $10,750

    The top Athens FHA lender as defined by loan originations is QUICKEN LOANS, LLC, with 34 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $11,400, which is $871 lower than the next largest lender, UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC.

    The lowest fee Athens FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are FBC MORTGAGE, LLC ($9,444), HOMESTAR FINANCIAL CORPORATION ($11,055), BANKSOUTH MORTGAGE COMPANY, LLC ($11,087), GUARANTEED RATE, INC. ($11,178) and QUICKEN LOANS, LLC ($11,400).

    The lowest rate Athens FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are FBC MORTGAGE, LLC (5.08%), Regions Bank (6.14%), QUICKEN LOANS, LLC (6.28%), BANKSOUTH MORTGAGE COMPANY, LLC (6.30%) and UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC (6.33%).

    Athens FHA Loan Limits

    Metro County Year Single Family Limit 2 Family Limit 3 Family Limit 4 Family Limit
    ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA CLARKE 2022 $457,700 $585,950 $708,250 $880,200
    ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA MADISON 2022 $457,700 $585,950 $708,250 $880,200
    ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA OCONEE 2022 $457,700 $585,950 $708,250 $880,200
    ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA OGLETHORPE 2022 $457,700 $585,950 $708,250 $880,200
    ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA CLARKE 2023 $516,350 $661,000 $799,000 $993,000
    ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA MADISON 2023 $516,350 $661,000 $799,000 $993,000
    ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA OCONEE 2023 $516,350 $661,000 $799,000 $993,000
    ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GA OGLETHORPE 2023 $516,350 $661,000 $799,000 $993,000

    Market Conditions (Median, Average Prices & Listing Count)

    Realtor.com - Athens (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
    Date Median Listing Price (YoY Change) Average Listing Price (YoY) MSA/US Median Price Ratio Active Listings
    2018-01-01 $269,900 (12.6%) $318,703 (11.9%) 1.00 583
    2018-02-01 $282,450 (11.6%) $324,792 (10.9%) 1.03 645
    2018-03-01 $285,000 (9.7%) $330,698 (12.6%) 1.00 691
    2018-04-01 $293,500 (12.9%) $349,023 (15.4%) 1.00 711
    2018-05-01 $294,600 (7.6%) $350,977 (14.2%) 0.98 723
    2018-06-01 $294,000 (6.3%) $353,520 (15.5%) 0.98 735
    2018-07-01 $284,900 (2.3%) $348,509 (11.7%) 0.95 742
    2018-08-01 $275,875 (0.3%) $341,649 (8.9%) 0.92 744
    2018-09-01 $275,000 (2.2%) $337,563 (9.6%) 0.92 775
    2018-10-01 $269,425 (-0.1%) $324,755 (4.2%) 0.91 771
    2018-11-01 $264,700 (-1.9%) $321,391 (3.3%) 0.90 749
    2018-12-01 $269,450 (-0.2%) $325,624 (2.9%) 0.93 696
    2019-01-01 $278,374 (3.1%) $331,882 (4.1%) 0.96 638
    2019-02-01 $289,450 (2.5%) $346,882 (6.8%) 0.98 690
    2019-03-01 $294,529 (3.3%) $354,208 (7.1%) 0.96 681
    2019-04-01 $306,200 (4.3%) $370,866 (6.3%) 0.97 661
    2019-05-01 $315,075 (7.0%) $376,603 (7.3%) 0.98 651
    2019-06-01 $309,000 (5.1%) $373,525 (5.7%) 0.97 665
    2019-07-01 $298,500 (4.8%) $368,382 (5.7%) 0.93 668
    2019-08-01 $295,909 (7.3%) $363,965 (6.5%) 0.94 648
    2019-09-01 $292,023 (6.2%) $360,844 (6.9%) 0.93 635
    2019-10-01 $291,182 (8.1%) $361,525 (11.3%) 0.94 618
    2019-11-01 $298,154 (12.6%) $377,867 (17.6%) 0.98 576
    2019-12-01 $288,875 (7.2%) $375,713 (15.4%) 0.96 558
    2020-01-01 $287,000 (3.1%) $381,826 (15.1%) 0.96 506
    2020-02-01 $309,950 (7.1%) $397,176 (14.5%) 1.01 509
    2020-03-01 $314,871 (6.9%) $406,368 (14.7%) 0.99 537
    2020-04-01 $320,115 (4.5%) $402,254 (8.5%) 1.00 556
    2020-05-01 $324,500 (3.0%) $407,465 (8.2%) 0.99 537
    2020-06-01 $327,900 (6.1%) $416,180 (11.4%) 0.97 499
    2020-07-01 $314,675 (5.4%) $404,156 (9.7%) 0.91 506
    2020-08-01 $299,950 (1.4%) $400,447 (10.0%) 0.86 499
    2020-09-01 $312,750 (7.1%) $399,032 (10.6%) 0.90 443
    2020-10-01 $315,490 (8.4%) $408,710 (13.1%) 0.90 397
    2020-11-01 $320,763 (7.6%) $412,131 (9.1%) 0.94 363
    2020-12-01 $322,663 (11.7%) $428,632 (14.1%) 0.96 326
    2021-01-01 $325,000 (13.2%) $432,831 (13.4%) 0.97 283
    2021-02-01 $344,829 (11.3%) $451,189 (13.6%) 1.00 250
    2021-03-01 $366,750 (16.5%) $449,826 (10.7%) 1.04 232
    2021-04-01 $371,700 (16.1%) $453,729 (12.8%) 1.01 243
    2021-05-01 $369,450 (13.9%) $469,137 (15.1%) 0.98 245
    2021-06-01 $359,975 (9.8%) $474,711 (14.1%) 0.95 296
    2021-07-01 $368,750 (17.2%) $474,014 (17.3%) 0.97 347
    2021-08-01 $349,900 (16.7%) $448,667 (12.0%) 0.93 339
    2021-09-01 $349,900 (11.9%) $447,954 (12.3%) 0.93 329
    2021-10-01 $339,850 (7.7%) $449,279 (9.9%) 0.91 309
    2021-11-01 $348,500 (8.7%) $480,346 (16.6%) 0.93 258
    2021-12-01 $349,725 (8.4%) $494,320 (15.3%) 0.95 208
    2022-01-01 $365,000 (12.3%) $518,308 (19.8%) 0.99 178
    2022-02-01 $374,950 (8.7%) $499,023 (10.6%) 0.98 184
    2022-03-01 $394,250 (7.5%) $513,171 (14.1%) 0.99 186
    2022-04-01 $382,450 (2.9%) $511,244 (12.7%) 0.91 214
    2022-05-01 $359,925 (-2.6%) $508,516 (8.4%) 0.82 252
    2022-06-01 $361,200 (0.3%) $512,704 (8.0%) 0.80 305
    2022-07-01 $383,900 (4.1%) $501,358 (5.8%) 0.86 404
    2022-08-01 $380,925 (8.9%) $506,538 (12.9%) 0.88 440
    2022-09-01 $385,800 (10.3%) $507,161 (13.2%) 0.90 448
    2022-10-01 $392,500 (15.5%) $525,320 (16.9%) 0.92 430
    2022-11-01 $393,175 (12.8%) $533,482 (11.1%) 0.95 414
    2022-12-01 $399,999 (14.4%) $537,623 (8.8%) 0.99 408
    2023-01-01 $412,000 (12.9%) $550,548 (6.2%) 1.02 360
    2023-02-01 $399,925 (6.7%) $541,381 (8.5%) 0.97 360
    2023-03-01 $398,350 (1.0%) $546,712 (6.5%) 0.94 356
    2023-04-01 $399,900 (4.6%) $535,248 (4.7%) 0.93 349
    2023-05-01 $407,175 (13.1%) $542,752 (6.7%) 0.92 367
    2023-06-01 $422,946 (17.1%) $556,288 (8.5%) 0.95 435
    2023-07-01 $423,283 (10.3%) $573,924 (14.5%) 0.96 409
    2023-08-01 $435,440 (14.3%) $587,658 (16.0%) 1.00 411
    2023-09-01 $449,900 (16.6%) $585,012 (15.4%) 1.05 439
    2023-10-01 $461,000 (17.5%) $573,288 (9.1%) 1.08 440
    2023-11-01 $431,667 (9.8%) $562,076 (5.4%) 1.03 454
    2023-12-01 $467,000 (16.8%) $571,371 (6.3%) 1.14 435
    2024-01-01 $441,750 (7.2%) $543,134 (-1.4%) 1.08 428
    2024-02-01 $448,750 (12.2%) $548,985 (1.4%) 1.08 419
    2024-03-01 $475,000 (19.2%) $568,295 (4.0%) 1.12 466
    Athens's median listing price for 2024-03-01 was $475,000, a difference of $76,650 (19.2%) versus the prior year and $26,250 versus the prior month.

    Athens's median listing price comes in at 112% of the national average.

    Athens's average listing price for 2024-03-01 was $568,295, a difference of $21,583 (4.0%) versus the prior year and $19,310 versus the prior month.

    For the 2024-03-01 period, Athens had 466 MLS listings, a difference of 47 listings (11%) versus the prior month and 110 listings (31%) versus the prior year.

    Median Listing Time on Market & Square Footage

    Realtor.com - Athens (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
    Date Median Listing Time on Market Median Square Footage
    2018-01-01 90 days 2,386 sqft
    2018-02-01 59 days 2,463 sqft
    2018-03-01 40 days 2,444 sqft
    2018-04-01 52 days 2,449 sqft
    2018-05-01 54 days 2,408 sqft
    2018-06-01 53 days 2,400 sqft
    2018-07-01 59 days 2,371 sqft
    2018-08-01 63 days 2,314 sqft
    2018-09-01 64 days 2,290 sqft
    2018-10-01 74 days 2,254 sqft
    2018-11-01 80 days 2,235 sqft
    2018-12-01 88 days 2,274 sqft
    2019-01-01 92 days 2,307 sqft
    2019-02-01 69 days 2,384 sqft
    2019-03-01 59 days 2,462 sqft
    2019-04-01 61 days 2,571 sqft
    2019-05-01 58 days 2,560 sqft
    2019-06-01 59 days 2,564 sqft
    2019-07-01 63 days 2,539 sqft
    2019-08-01 66 days 2,500 sqft
    2019-09-01 70 days 2,477 sqft
    2019-10-01 72 days 2,459 sqft
    2019-11-01 75 days 2,413 sqft
    2019-12-01 90 days 2,407 sqft
    2020-01-01 84 days 2,412 sqft
    2020-02-01 54 days 2,473 sqft
    2020-03-01 54 days 2,458 sqft
    2020-04-01 60 days 2,390 sqft
    2020-05-01 66 days 2,402 sqft
    2020-06-01 63 days 2,395 sqft
    2020-07-01 51 days 2,373 sqft
    2020-08-01 50 days 2,324 sqft
    2020-09-01 56 days 2,287 sqft
    2020-10-01 61 days 2,220 sqft
    2020-11-01 62 days 2,228 sqft
    2020-12-01 68 days 2,220 sqft
    2021-01-01 64 days 2,200 sqft
    2021-02-01 59 days 2,218 sqft
    2021-03-01 43 days 2,245 sqft
    2021-04-01 32 days 2,245 sqft
    2021-05-01 36 days 2,114 sqft
    2021-06-01 35 days 2,111 sqft
    2021-07-01 37 days 2,064 sqft
    2021-08-01 41 days 1,966 sqft
    2021-09-01 46 days 2,023 sqft
    2021-10-01 53 days 1,958 sqft
    2021-11-01 56 days 2,086 sqft
    2021-12-01 59 days 1,966 sqft
    2022-01-01 43 days 2,150 sqft
    2022-02-01 35 days 2,104 sqft
    2022-03-01 32 days 2,122 sqft
    2022-04-01 28 days 2,100 sqft
    2022-05-01 29 days 2,121 sqft
    2022-06-01 30 days 2,136 sqft
    2022-07-01 32 days 2,200 sqft
    2022-08-01 45 days 2,099 sqft
    2022-09-01 52 days 2,177 sqft
    2022-10-01 55 days 2,221 sqft
    2022-11-01 65 days 2,205 sqft
    2022-12-01 78 days 2,218 sqft
    2023-01-01 77 days 2,250 sqft
    2023-02-01 70 days 2,250 sqft
    2023-03-01 53 days 2,245 sqft
    2023-04-01 40 days 2,240 sqft
    2023-05-01 41 days 2,239 sqft
    2023-06-01 37 days 2,305 sqft
    2023-07-01 50 days 2,314 sqft
    2023-08-01 53 days 2,336 sqft
    2023-09-01 57 days 2,343 sqft
    2023-10-01 61 days 2,360 sqft
    2023-11-01 59 days 2,270 sqft
    2023-12-01 59 days 2,300 sqft
    2024-01-01 60 days 2,253 sqft
    2024-02-01 57 days 2,267 sqft
    2024-03-01 52 days 2,366 sqft
    Athens's median listing age (time on market) for 2024-03-01 was 52 days. This is -1% shorter than the same period one year ago.

    Athens's median square footage for active listings during the 2024-03-01 period was 2,366 sqft. One year prior, the average listing was 2,245 sqft.

    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).