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 6.47% for the week of 2025-04-04, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 6.259% for the same period.

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

    The average rate for the prior week (2025-03-28) was 6.36% and one month ago for the week of 2025-02-28, the average rate was 6.55%.

    The average rate one year ago was 6.57%.

    For refis of the same type during the week of 2025-04-04, the average rate was 6.6%.

    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

    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 $270,425 (12.8%) $319,503 (12.1%) 1.00 587
    2018-02-01 $282,475 (11.3%) $325,511 (11.1%) 1.03 649
    2018-03-01 $286,950 (9.8%) $331,594 (12.9%) 1.01 693
    2018-04-01 $293,925 (13.1%) $349,659 (15.6%) 1.00 712
    2018-05-01 $294,850 (7.7%) $351,501 (14.4%) 0.98 723
    2018-06-01 $294,500 (6.4%) $354,021 (15.7%) 0.98 735
    2018-07-01 $284,925 (2.3%) $349,018 (11.9%) 0.95 742
    2018-08-01 $276,500 (0.6%) $342,146 (9.0%) 0.93 744
    2018-09-01 $275,500 (2.3%) $338,037 (9.8%) 0.93 775
    2018-10-01 $270,368 (0.2%) $325,702 (4.2%) 0.92 773
    2018-11-01 $264,975 (-1.8%) $322,156 (3.3%) 0.90 750
    2018-12-01 $269,900 (0.0%) $326,773 (3.0%) 0.93 698
    2019-01-01 $280,480 (3.7%) $333,195 (4.3%) 0.97 641
    2019-02-01 $289,900 (2.6%) $347,888 (6.9%) 0.98 693
    2019-03-01 $295,814 (3.1%) $354,862 (7.0%) 0.97 684
    2019-04-01 $308,450 (4.9%) $371,519 (6.3%) 0.98 664
    2019-05-01 $315,200 (6.9%) $376,581 (7.1%) 0.99 653
    2019-06-01 $309,450 (5.1%) $373,480 (5.5%) 0.97 667
    2019-07-01 $298,500 (4.8%) $368,217 (5.5%) 0.93 669
    2019-08-01 $295,909 (7.0%) $363,730 (6.3%) 0.94 649
    2019-09-01 $292,023 (6.0%) $360,741 (6.7%) 0.93 635
    2019-10-01 $291,182 (7.7%) $361,510 (11.0%) 0.94 618
    2019-11-01 $298,154 (12.5%) $377,867 (17.3%) 0.98 576
    2019-12-01 $288,875 (7.0%) $375,713 (15.0%) 0.96 558
    2020-01-01 $287,000 (2.3%) $381,826 (14.6%) 0.96 506
    2020-02-01 $309,950 (6.9%) $397,176 (14.2%) 1.01 509
    2020-03-01 $314,871 (6.4%) $406,368 (14.5%) 0.99 537
    2020-04-01 $320,115 (3.8%) $402,254 (8.3%) 1.00 556
    2020-05-01 $324,500 (3.0%) $407,465 (8.2%) 0.99 537
    2020-06-01 $327,900 (6.0%) $416,180 (11.4%) 0.97 499
    2020-07-01 $314,675 (5.4%) $404,156 (9.8%) 0.91 506
    2020-08-01 $299,950 (1.4%) $400,447 (10.1%) 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 $348,000 (8.5%) $478,984 (16.2%) 0.93 257
    2021-12-01 $349,450 (8.3%) $492,700 (15.0%) 0.95 207
    2022-01-01 $362,450 (11.5%) $516,679 (19.4%) 0.98 177
    2022-02-01 $374,975 (8.7%) $499,372 (10.7%) 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 $359,950 (0.0%) $512,289 (7.9%) 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%) 0.92 431
    2022-11-01 $393,175 (13.0%) $533,482 (11.4%) 0.95 414
    2022-12-01 $399,999 (14.5%) $537,623 (9.1%) 0.99 407
    2023-01-01 $413,450 (14.1%) $551,266 (6.7%) 1.02 358
    2023-02-01 $399,925 (6.7%) $541,381 (8.4%) 0.97 360
    2023-03-01 $399,800 (1.4%) $547,367 (6.7%) 0.94 354
    2023-04-01 $399,900 (4.6%) $535,713 (4.8%) 0.93 346
    2023-05-01 $406,950 (13.1%) $543,849 (7.0%) 0.92 364
    2023-06-01 $423,500 (17.7%) $556,856 (8.7%) 0.95 433
    2023-07-01 $417,450 (8.7%) $574,548 (14.6%) 0.95 408
    2023-08-01 $437,445 (14.8%) $588,386 (16.2%) 1.00 410
    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 (6.8%) $543,134 (-1.5%) 1.08 428
    2024-02-01 $448,750 (12.2%) $548,985 (1.4%) 1.08 419
    2024-03-01 $475,000 (18.8%) $568,783 (3.9%) 1.12 467
    2024-04-01 $480,000 (20.0%) $598,261 (11.7%) 1.12 483
    2024-05-01 $492,000 (20.9%) $617,371 (13.5%) 1.12 486
    2024-06-01 $475,000 (12.2%) $612,392 (10.0%) 1.08 519
    2024-07-01 $459,000 (10.0%) $603,132 (5.0%) 1.05 594
    2024-08-01 $429,000 (-1.9%) $585,910 (-0.4%) 1.00 609
    2024-09-01 $429,975 (-4.4%) $590,868 (1.0%) 1.01 621
    2024-10-01 $449,750 (-2.4%) $591,196 (3.1%) 1.06 641
    2024-11-01 $450,000 (4.3%) $590,178 (5.0%) 1.08 616
    2024-12-01 $454,000 (-2.8%) $591,955 (3.6%) 1.13 556
    2025-01-01 $458,488 (3.8%) $594,572 (9.5%) 1.14 530
    2025-02-01 $462,000 (3.0%) $587,118 (7.0%) 1.12 536
    2025-03-01 $480,450 (1.2%) $600,393 (5.6%) 0.00 585
    Athens's median listing price for 2025-03-01 was $480,450, a difference of $5,450 (1.2%) versus the prior year and $18,450 versus the prior month.

    Athens's median listing price comes in at 0% of the national average.

    Athens's average listing price for 2025-03-01 was $600,393, a difference of $31,610 (5.6%) versus the prior year and $13,275 versus the prior month.

    For the 2025-03-01 period, Athens had 585 MLS listings, a difference of 49 listings (9%) versus the prior month and 118 listings (25%) 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 2,392 sqft
    2018-02-01 60 days 2,474 sqft
    2018-03-01 40 days 2,450 sqft
    2018-04-01 52 days 2,454 sqft
    2018-05-01 54 days 2,410 sqft
    2018-06-01 53 days 2,400 sqft
    2018-07-01 59 days 2,378 sqft
    2018-08-01 63 days 2,326 sqft
    2018-09-01 64 days 2,300 sqft
    2018-10-01 74 days 2,278 sqft
    2018-11-01 79 days 2,244 sqft
    2018-12-01 88 days 2,280 sqft
    2019-01-01 93 days 2,332 sqft
    2019-02-01 70 days 2,394 sqft
    2019-03-01 59 days 2,468 sqft
    2019-04-01 61 days 2,583 sqft
    2019-05-01 58 days 2,568 sqft
    2019-06-01 59 days 2,572 sqft
    2019-07-01 63 days 2,551 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 2,424 sqft
    2019-12-01 90 days 2,408 sqft
    2020-01-01 84 days 2,411 sqft
    2020-02-01 54 days 2,474 sqft
    2020-03-01 54 days 2,461 sqft
    2020-04-01 60 days 2,393 sqft
    2020-05-01 66 days 2,405 sqft
    2020-06-01 63 days 2,396 sqft
    2020-07-01 51 days 2,376 sqft
    2020-08-01 50 days 2,298 sqft
    2020-09-01 56 days 2,273 sqft
    2020-10-01 61 days 2,220 sqft
    2020-11-01 62 days 2,228 sqft
    2020-12-01 68 days 2,216 sqft
    2021-01-01 64 days 2,200 sqft
    2021-02-01 59 days 2,219 sqft
    2021-03-01 43 days 2,249 sqft
    2021-04-01 32 days 2,245 sqft
    2021-05-01 36 days 2,114 sqft
    2021-06-01 35 days 2,110 sqft
    2021-07-01 37 days 2,064 sqft
    2021-08-01 41 days 1,965 sqft
    2021-09-01 46 days 2,022 sqft
    2021-10-01 53 days 1,939 sqft
    2021-11-01 55 days 2,081 sqft
    2021-12-01 59 days 1,971 sqft
    2022-01-01 43 days 2,150 sqft
    2022-02-01 35 days 2,112 sqft
    2022-03-01 32 days 2,123 sqft
    2022-04-01 28 days 2,100 sqft
    2022-05-01 29 days 2,121 sqft
    2022-06-01 29 days 2,132 sqft
    2022-07-01 32 days 2,200 sqft
    2022-08-01 45 days 2,095 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 2,239 sqft
    2023-04-01 40 days 2,227 sqft
    2023-05-01 41 days 2,236 sqft
    2023-06-01 37 days 2,306 sqft
    2023-07-01 50 days 2,306 sqft
    2023-08-01 53 days 2,322 sqft
    2023-09-01 57 days 2,341 sqft
    2023-10-01 61 days 2,360 sqft
    2023-11-01 59 days 2,273 sqft
    2023-12-01 59 days 2,291 sqft
    2024-01-01 60 days 2,272 sqft
    2024-02-01 57 days 2,269 sqft
    2024-03-01 52 days 2,362 sqft
    2024-04-01 52 days 2,320 sqft
    2024-05-01 48 days 2,250 sqft
    2024-06-01 52 days 2,250 sqft
    2024-07-01 49 days 2,217 sqft
    2024-08-01 58 days 2,204 sqft
    2024-09-01 60 days 2,222 sqft
    2024-10-01 61 days 2,232 sqft
    2024-11-01 69 days 2,216 sqft
    2024-12-01 77 days 2,170 sqft
    2025-01-01 80 days 2,170 sqft
    2025-02-01 70 days 2,170 sqft
    2025-03-01 0 days 2,170 sqft
    Athens's median listing age (time on market) for 2025-03-01 was 0 days. This is -100% shorter than the same period one year ago.

    Athens's median square footage for active listings during the 2025-03-01 period was 2,170 sqft. One year prior, the average listing was 2,362 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).