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 76 lenders originated 444 FHA loans during 2024. The total origination value was $127,750,000, with an average FHA loan value of $287,725.

    Athens FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

    30 Year FHA mortgages in Athens averaged 0.11% for the week of 2025-06-20, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 0% for the same period.

    Athens's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $8,381.

    The average rate for the prior week (2025-06-13) was 6.89% and one month ago for the week of 2025-05-16, the average rate was 6.75%.

    The average rate one year ago was 7.11%.

    For refis of the same type during the week of 2025-06-20, the average rate was 0.14%.

    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 2024 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2024 Avg. Closing Costs
    UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 48 5.98% $14,770
    QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 42 6.23% $13,408
    GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 17 6.51% $13,619
    FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 17 6.29% $13,555
    BANKSOUTH MORTGAGE COMPANY, LLC 17 6.37% $13,694
    First Option Mortgage, LLC 14 7.12% $13,672
    Regions Bank 12 5.85% $13,056
    FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 11 6.65% $11,910
    Magnolia Bank 11 5.86% $11,716
    EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC. 10 6.74% $16,978
    PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 10 6.21% $12,797
    AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION 9 6.49% $14,481
    NEWREZ LLC 9 6.63% $11,840
    Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 8 6.81% $13,507
    BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 8 6.94% $12,954
    Plains Commerce Bank 7 6.18% $13,395
    SOUTHEAST MORTGAGE OF GEORGIA, INC. 6 6.50% $15,383
    Synovus Bank 6 6.19% $10,566
    LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 6 6.37% $13,012
    CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 5 6.48% $13,026
    Equity Prime Mortgage LLC 5 6.43% $13,431
    GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY 5 6.62% $10,581
    DHI MORTGAGE COMPANY, LTD. 4 5.56% $15,134
    Colony Bank 4 5.97% $13,654
    HOMESIDE FINANCIAL, LLC 4 6.21% $13,758
    ISERVE RESIDENTIAL LENDING, LLC 4 6.22% $21,043
    MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC 4 6.38% $12,754
    Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 4 6.69% $11,691
    NFM, INC. 4 6.50% $15,684
    Presidential Bank, FSB 4 6.41% $13,823
    Truist 4 6.06% $8,425
    Flagstar Bank, FSB 3 6.38% $14,456
    AMERICAN FINANCING CORPORATION 3 6.17% $12,376
    EUSTIS AND AMERICAN MORTGAGE COMPANY 3 6.67% $12,579
    GENEVA FINANCIAL, LLC 3 6.88% $13,033
    VILLAGE CAPITAL MORTGAGE 2 6.75% $6,420
    Bank of England 2 6.25% $10,171
    MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. 2 6.44% $19,858
    ZILLOW HOME LOANS, LLC 2 6.19% $17,545
    LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC 2 6.25% $12,579
    ACOPIA, LLC 2 6.13% $13,235
    Nations Lending Corporation 2 7.00% $13,129
    FIRST COLONY MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 6.50% $10,018
    Cornerstone First Mortgage, Inc 2 6.19% $11,563
    CARDINAL FINANCIAL 2 6.25% $8,663
    AMERICAN FINANCIAL NETWORK, INC. 2 6.19% $14,658
    PREMIER MORTGAGE RESOURCES, L.L.C. 2 7.00% $12,308
    MILEND, INC. 2 6.31% $18,768
    Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC 2 6.31% $16,496
    South State Bank 2 6.31% $11,492
    SUMMIT FUNDING, INC. 1 6.63% $11,188
    SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. 1 5.88% $13,647
    SWBC MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 5.63% $5,773
    The Federal Savings Bank 1 6.13% $17,492
    TOWNE MORTGAGE COMPANY 1 6.75% $15,282
    First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company 1 6.00% $8,455
    Franklin Loan Corporation 1 6.13% $22,993
    Renasant Bank 1 5.99% $10,778
    U.S. Bank 1 5.99% $14,186
    VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC. 1 5.75% $15,879
    LOANPAL, LLC 1 4.75% $13,692
    MEMBER FIRST MORTGAGE, LLC 1 6.63% $16,602
    VERITAS FUNDING, LLC 1 6.25% $23,245
    NATIONS DIRECT MORTGAGE, LLC 1 6.13% $15,505
    NBKC BANK 1 5.63% $9,086
    NEW DAY FINANCIAL, LLC 1 7.63% $5,866
    CANOPY MORTGAGE, LLC 1 5.75% $17,186
    Wells Fargo Bank 1 6.13% $11,549
    Bell Bank 1 6.13% $11,210
    Atlantic Coast Mortgage, LLC 1 6.25% $9,156
    PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC 1 6.75% $5,045
    Wolfe Financial, Inc 1 6.00% $18,441
    ATLANTIC BAY MORTGAGE GROUP, L.L.C. 1 5.75% $11,530
    AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.50% $18,159
    CMG MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.25% $16,708
    AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD MORTGAGE ACCEPTANCE COMPANY LLC 1 5.88% $15,625

    The top Athens FHA lender as defined by loan originations is UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC, with 48 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $14,770, which is $1,362 higher than the next largest lender, QUICKEN LOANS, LLC.

    The lowest fee Athens FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are Magnolia Bank ($11,716), FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION ($11,910), PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC ($12,797), Regions Bank ($13,056) and QUICKEN LOANS, LLC ($13,408).

    The lowest rate Athens FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are Regions Bank (5.85%), Magnolia Bank (5.86%), UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC (5.98%), PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC (6.21%) and QUICKEN LOANS, LLC (6.23%).

    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

    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).