Columbus FHA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

COLUMBUS, GA-AL

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.

Columbus's 111 lenders originated 957 FHA loans during 2022. The total origination value was $197,885,000, with an average FHA loan value of $206,776.

Columbus FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

30 Year FHA mortgages in Columbus averaged 6.59% for the week of 2023-12-01, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 6.949% for the same period.

Columbus's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $6,430.

The average rate for the prior week (2023-11-24) was 6.9% and one month ago for the week of 2023-10-27, the average rate was 6.91%.

The average rate one year ago was 5.93%.

For refis of the same type during the week of 2023-12-01, the average rate was 5.5%.

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

Columbus 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 Columbus level.

Name # of Loans 2022 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2022 Avg. Closing Costs
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 109 4.52% $8,098
HOMESTAR FINANCIAL CORPORATION 73 5.05% $7,516
Synovus Bank 48 4.93% $7,394
BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 46 5.14% $9,128
CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 43 4.97% $8,430
ENVOY MORTGAGE, LTD 41 4.89% $8,711
CMG MORTGAGE, INC. 37 5.06% $9,685
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 37 5.18% $7,544
LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 31 5.19% $8,507
ARK-LA-TEX FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC. 30 5.00% $6,450
INTERLINC MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC 26 5.07% $6,258
GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY 25 4.83% $9,008
EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC. 16 5.13% $5,681
FirstBank 16 4.69% $7,697
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 15 3.92% $4,919
CERTAINTY HOME LOANS, LLC 14 4.72% $9,597
Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC 11 4.73% $7,603
MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC 10 5.26% $7,660
PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY 10 5.12% $9,431
Northpointe Bank 10 4.59% $7,042
NEWREZ LLC 10 4.39% $6,363
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 10 4.96% $8,016
Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 10 4.61% $10,362
LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC 9 4.80% $7,612
Renasant Bank 9 4.94% $7,398
VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC. 9 5.46% $8,228
RUOFF MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. 9 4.53% $4,621
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 8 4.76% $7,602
NATIONS DIRECT MORTGAGE, LLC 7 4.00% $7,283
AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 7 4.96% $10,763
MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. 6 4.27% $7,077
HOME POINT FINANCIAL CORPORATION 6 5.50% $6,652
Flagstar Bank, FSB 6 4.14% $7,187
Wells Fargo Bank 6 5.10% $4,025
Nations Lending Corporation 6 4.63% $6,997
Mortgage Research Center, LLC 6 5.54% $5,045
LAND HOME FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 5 5.85% $10,751
VILLAGE CAPITAL MORTGAGE 4 3.88% $3,856
SOUTHEAST MORTGAGE OF GEORGIA, INC. 4 5.63% $12,009
Ameris Bank 4 3.91% $7,580
First Federal Bank 4 4.88% $7,619
Lakeview Community Capital, LLC 4 3.78% $7,121
GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 4 5.29% $10,111
HOMEBRIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 4 5.72% $8,235
Plains Commerce Bank 4 4.72% $12,413
CARDINAL FINANCIAL 4 4.47% $7,041
CALIBER HOME LOANS, INC. 4 5.06% $8,207
ZILLOW HOME LOANS, LLC 3 6.71% $7,649
Hometown Equity Mortgage, LLC 3 3.38% $9,786
OPEN MORTGAGE, LLC 3 4.92% $11,330
STOCKTON MORTGAGE CORPORATION 3 5.50% $4,659
PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, INC. 2 4.75% $8,236
MICHIGAN MUTUAL, INC. 2 5.06% $6,527
Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC 2 4.75% $7,944
Bank of England 2 5.50% $7,122
M&T Bank 2 4.75% $7,275
RELIANCE FIRST CAPITAL, LLC 2 4.75% $7,637
TJC Mortgage, Inc. 2 4.50% $8,253
Bank of America 2 5.75% $9,347
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 2 5.06% $11,370
Truist 2 3.76% $7,500
Trustmark National Bank 2 5.06% $9,702
NFM, INC. 2 5.56% $6,770
AMERICAN FINANCING CORPORATION 2 5.69% $6,557
HOMESIDE FINANCIAL, LLC 2 4.50% $10,295
Equity Prime Mortgage LLC 2 6.13% $9,452
GENEVA FINANCIAL, LLC 2 6.19% $10,552
ACOPIA, LLC 2 6.13% $10,758
JPMorgan Chase Bank 2 5.69% $5,076
Hometown Lenders, Inc. 2 5.31% $10,349
CHURCHILL MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 5.50% $9,236
PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC 1 4.38% $4,413
PNC Bank 1 5.00% $8,767
Capital City Home Loans, LLC 1 6.25% $14,082
Regions Bank 1 4.75% $10,731
Austin Capital Bank SSB 1 4.13% $12,263
SECURITYNATIONAL MORTGAGE COMPANY 1 4.75% $7,261
SHELTER HOME MORTGAGE, LLC 1 7.13% $5,752
Atlantic Coast Mortgage, LLC 1 5.63% $9,089
SOUTHPOINT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 1 3.88% $10,634
South State Bank 1 5.00% $7,582
SOUTHWEST STAGE FUNDING, LLC 1 4.88% $5,468
SOVEREIGN LENDING GROUP INCORPORATED 1 5.63% $20,213
ABSOLUTE HOME MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.38% $14,365
SUMMIT FUNDING, INC. 1 5.75% $9,284
ATLANTIC BAY MORTGAGE GROUP, L.L.C. 1 5.25% $18,238
TOP FLITE FINANCIAL, INC. 1 6.88% $10,070
TOWNE MORTGAGE COMPANY 1 6.25% $21,826
LENDING 3, INC. 1 6.75% $2,800
U.S. Bank 1 5.25% $6,385
Advisors Mortgage Group, L.L.C. 1 4.62% $5,549
VAN DYK MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 5.00% $10,649
United Community Bank 1 6.75% $12,994
LOANPAL, LLC 1 5.00% $12,905
Loan Simple, Inc. 1 5.75% $18,259
MID AMERICA MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.50% $6,487
MILEND, INC. 1 5.75% $10,219
MORIA DEVELOPMENT, INC. 1 6.75% $7,740
GMFS LLC 1 5.13% $6,339
MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS OF COLORADO, LLC 1 5.75% $6,728
Gateway First Bank 1 5.75% $8,780
First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation 1 3.50% $7,587
DIRECT LENDERS, LLC 1 7.13% $5,041
NEW DAY FINANCIAL, LLC 1 3.88% $11,132
CONTOUR MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 5.38% $11,382
North American Savings Bank, F.S.B. 1 6.13% $12,841
Colony Bank 1 5.63% $6,561
ON Q FINANCIAL, INC. 1 5.63% $11,925
ACADEMY MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.00% $6,037
PANORAMA MORTGAGE GROUP, LLC 1 5.75% $8,217
Citizens Bank 1 3.75% $6,599

The top Columbus FHA lender as defined by loan originations is QUICKEN LOANS, LLC, with 109 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $8,098, which is $582 higher than the next largest lender, HOMESTAR FINANCIAL CORPORATION.

The lowest fee Columbus FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC ($4,919), EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC. ($5,681), INTERLINC MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC ($6,258), NEWREZ LLC ($6,363) and ARK-LA-TEX FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC. ($6,450).

The lowest rate Columbus FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC (3.92%), NEWREZ LLC (4.39%), QUICKEN LOANS, LLC (4.52%), Northpointe Bank (4.59%) and Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) (4.61%).

Columbus FHA Loan Limits

Metro County Year Single Family Limit 2 Family Limit 3 Family Limit 4 Family Limit
COLUMBUS, GA-AL RUSSELL 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
COLUMBUS, GA-AL CHATTAHOOCHEE 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
COLUMBUS, GA-AL HARRIS 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
COLUMBUS, GA-AL MARION 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
COLUMBUS, GA-AL MUSCOGEE 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
COLUMBUS, GA-AL STEWART 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
COLUMBUS, GA-AL TALBOT 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
COLUMBUS, GA-AL RUSSELL 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
COLUMBUS, GA-AL CHATTAHOOCHEE 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
COLUMBUS, GA-AL HARRIS 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
COLUMBUS, GA-AL MARION 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
COLUMBUS, GA-AL MUSCOGEE 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
COLUMBUS, GA-AL STEWART 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
COLUMBUS, GA-AL TALBOT 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900

Market Conditions (Median, Average Prices & Listing Count)

Realtor.com - Columbus (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 $159,220 (11.4%) $205,702 (12.6%) 0.59 1,474
2018-02-01 $158,348 (8.5%) $204,471 (10.7%) 0.58 1,477
2018-03-01 $159,500 (6.4%) $206,866 (10.5%) 0.56 1,484
2018-04-01 $162,813 (5.8%) $211,395 (11.7%) 0.55 1,511
2018-05-01 $164,000 (5.9%) $212,128 (10.5%) 0.55 1,528
2018-06-01 $159,900 (3.2%) $204,209 (5.2%) 0.53 1,549
2018-07-01 $158,945 (2.6%) $204,826 (4.1%) 0.53 1,556
2018-08-01 $157,225 (1.4%) $200,421 (1.4%) 0.53 1,567
2018-09-01 $160,000 (3.2%) $204,892 (1.4%) 0.54 1,536
2018-10-01 $159,950 (3.6%) $206,333 (2.9%) 0.54 1,531
2018-11-01 $159,000 (1.7%) $207,918 (3.5%) 0.54 1,532
2018-12-01 $159,900 (2.9%) $210,069 (3.7%) 0.55 1,537
2019-01-01 $159,995 (0.5%) $212,197 (3.2%) 0.55 1,438
2019-02-01 $164,150 (3.7%) $212,552 (4.0%) 0.55 1,426
2019-03-01 $164,900 (3.4%) $218,519 (5.6%) 0.54 1,325
2019-04-01 $163,075 (0.2%) $222,522 (5.3%) 0.52 1,259
2019-05-01 $159,950 (-2.5%) $226,651 (6.9%) 0.50 1,222
2019-06-01 $164,900 (3.1%) $227,361 (11.3%) 0.52 1,202
2019-07-01 $166,611 (4.8%) $231,974 (13.3%) 0.52 1,113
2019-08-01 $176,378 (12.2%) $237,010 (18.3%) 0.56 1,084
2019-09-01 $178,596 (11.6%) $240,297 (17.3%) 0.57 1,076
2019-10-01 $185,110 (15.7%) $245,117 (18.8%) 0.60 1,071
2019-11-01 $189,900 (19.4%) $246,864 (18.7%) 0.62 1,047
2019-12-01 $186,725 (16.8%) $246,936 (17.6%) 0.62 1,018
2020-01-01 $183,700 (14.8%) $246,034 (16.0%) 0.61 967
2020-02-01 $189,700 (15.6%) $251,525 (18.3%) 0.62 920
2020-03-01 $181,588 (10.1%) $246,354 (12.7%) 0.57 872
2020-04-01 $179,200 (9.9%) $243,473 (9.4%) 0.56 868
2020-05-01 $179,900 (12.5%) $248,829 (9.8%) 0.55 766
2020-06-01 $199,900 (21.2%) $261,914 (15.2%) 0.59 687
2020-07-01 $199,675 (19.9%) $261,383 (12.7%) 0.58 619
2020-08-01 $199,900 (13.3%) $268,451 (13.3%) 0.57 563
2020-09-01 $193,450 (8.3%) $288,444 (20.0%) 0.55 484
2020-10-01 $195,079 (5.4%) $287,590 (17.3%) 0.56 503
2020-11-01 $193,700 (2.0%) $275,369 (11.6%) 0.57 522
2020-12-01 $179,925 (-3.6%) $272,152 (10.2%) 0.54 511
2021-01-01 $194,500 (5.9%) $279,514 (13.6%) 0.58 458
2021-02-01 $188,650 (-0.6%) $271,684 (8.0%) 0.55 432
2021-03-01 $186,850 (2.9%) $272,904 (10.8%) 0.53 389
2021-04-01 $191,000 (6.6%) $286,550 (17.7%) 0.52 367
2021-05-01 $189,600 (5.4%) $275,727 (10.8%) 0.50 369
2021-06-01 $186,350 (-6.8%) $271,458 (3.6%) 0.49 396
2021-07-01 $185,000 (-7.4%) $281,500 (7.7%) 0.49 483
2021-08-01 $189,900 (-5.0%) $279,302 (4.0%) 0.51 497
2021-09-01 $189,900 (-1.8%) $292,290 (1.3%) 0.51 523
2021-10-01 $189,900 (-2.7%) $283,921 (-1.3%) 0.51 522
2021-11-01 $186,850 (-3.5%) $286,837 (4.2%) 0.50 536
2021-12-01 $189,450 (5.3%) $296,387 (8.9%) 0.51 436
2022-01-01 $187,900 (-3.4%) $318,215 (13.9%) 0.51 356
2022-02-01 $183,625 (-2.7%) $316,498 (16.5%) 0.48 328
2022-03-01 $185,250 (-0.9%) $308,961 (13.2%) 0.46 331
2022-04-01 $174,950 (-8.4%) $275,772 (-3.8%) 0.42 356
2022-05-01 $200,475 (5.7%) $280,407 (1.7%) 0.46 411
2022-06-01 $227,950 (22.3%) $299,125 (10.2%) 0.51 464
2022-07-01 $235,000 (27.0%) $299,869 (6.5%) 0.53 537
2022-08-01 $219,900 (15.8%) $336,138 (20.4%) 0.51 546
2022-09-01 $221,350 (16.6%) $335,742 (14.9%) 0.52 552
2022-10-01 $229,900 (21.1%) $300,536 (5.9%) 0.54 600
2022-11-01 $232,400 (24.4%) $293,745 (2.4%) 0.56 586
2022-12-01 $225,000 (18.8%) $293,745 (-0.9%) 0.56 529
2023-01-01 $230,000 (22.4%) $348,330 (9.5%) 0.57 437
2023-02-01 $215,000 (17.1%) $341,756 (8.0%) 0.52 420
2023-03-01 $224,900 (21.4%) $354,793 (14.8%) 0.53 401
2023-04-01 $246,000 (40.6%) $378,778 (37.4%) 0.57 395
2023-05-01 $274,500 (36.9%) $382,418 (36.4%) 0.62 410
2023-06-01 $269,950 (18.4%) $386,190 (29.1%) 0.61 415
2023-07-01 $270,500 (15.1%) $376,299 (25.5%) 0.61 424
2023-08-01 $276,450 (25.7%) $374,029 (11.3%) 0.63 446
2023-09-01 $269,900 (21.9%) $349,622 (4.1%) 0.63 536
2023-10-01 $267,125 (16.2%) $343,694 (14.4%) 0.63 569
2023-11-01 $259,950 (11.9%) $316,404 (7.7%) 0.62 601
Columbus's median listing price for 2023-11-01 was $259,950, a difference of $27,550 (11.9%) versus the prior year and $-7,175 versus the prior month.

Columbus's median listing price comes in at 62% of the national average.

Columbus's average listing price for 2023-11-01 was $316,404, a difference of $22,659 (7.7%) versus the prior year and $-27,290 versus the prior month.

For the 2023-11-01 period, Columbus had 601 MLS listings, a difference of 32 listings (6%) versus the prior month and 15 listings (3%) versus the prior year.

Median Listing Time on Market & Square Footage

Realtor.com - Columbus (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Date Median Listing Time on Market Median Square Footage
2018-01-01 92 days 1,924 sqft
2018-02-01 86 days 1,933 sqft
2018-03-01 74 days 1,929 sqft
2018-04-01 73 days 1,929 sqft
2018-05-01 72 days 1,972 sqft
2018-06-01 68 days 1,937 sqft
2018-07-01 73 days 1,915 sqft
2018-08-01 80 days 1,922 sqft
2018-09-01 84 days 1,936 sqft
2018-10-01 85 days 1,951 sqft
2018-11-01 91 days 1,940 sqft
2018-12-01 96 days 1,929 sqft
2019-01-01 101 days 1,925 sqft
2019-02-01 96 days 1,937 sqft
2019-03-01 91 days 1,948 sqft
2019-04-01 80 days 1,948 sqft
2019-05-01 73 days 1,939 sqft
2019-06-01 67 days 2,000 sqft
2019-07-01 66 days 2,013 sqft
2019-08-01 68 days 2,030 sqft
2019-09-01 70 days 2,055 sqft
2019-10-01 70 days 2,098 sqft
2019-11-01 67 days 2,134 sqft
2019-12-01 74 days 2,114 sqft
2020-01-01 82 days 2,098 sqft
2020-02-01 80 days 2,109 sqft
2020-03-01 71 days 2,060 sqft
2020-04-01 67 days 2,013 sqft
2020-05-01 69 days 2,047 sqft
2020-06-01 58 days 2,140 sqft
2020-07-01 51 days 2,104 sqft
2020-08-01 44 days 2,046 sqft
2020-09-01 45 days 2,012 sqft
2020-10-01 39 days 2,004 sqft
2020-11-01 42 days 1,962 sqft
2020-12-01 46 days 1,931 sqft
2021-01-01 54 days 1,988 sqft
2021-02-01 33 days 1,899 sqft
2021-03-01 32 days 1,883 sqft
2021-04-01 32 days 1,866 sqft
2021-05-01 19 days 1,819 sqft
2021-06-01 22 days 1,814 sqft
2021-07-01 26 days 1,790 sqft
2021-08-01 37 days 1,821 sqft
2021-09-01 37 days 1,785 sqft
2021-10-01 38 days 1,800 sqft
2021-11-01 42 days 1,830 sqft
2021-12-01 55 days 1,895 sqft
2022-01-01 57 days 1,849 sqft
2022-02-01 31 days 1,795 sqft
2022-03-01 25 days 1,737 sqft
2022-04-01 23 days 1,713 sqft
2022-05-01 22 days 1,819 sqft
2022-06-01 26 days 1,890 sqft
2022-07-01 30 days 1,936 sqft
2022-08-01 37 days 1,866 sqft
2022-09-01 44 days 1,879 sqft
2022-10-01 41 days 1,955 sqft
2022-11-01 50 days 1,970 sqft
2022-12-01 64 days 1,943 sqft
2023-01-01 64 days 1,964 sqft
2023-02-01 38 days 1,872 sqft
2023-03-01 40 days 1,891 sqft
2023-04-01 36 days 2,019 sqft
2023-05-01 36 days 2,084 sqft
2023-06-01 40 days 2,039 sqft
2023-07-01 43 days 2,052 sqft
2023-08-01 35 days 2,104 sqft
2023-09-01 37 days 2,035 sqft
2023-10-01 39 days 1,981 sqft
2023-11-01 44 days 2,030 sqft
Columbus's median listing age (time on market) for 2023-11-01 was 44 days. This is -13% shorter than the same period one year ago.

Columbus's median square footage for active listings during the 2023-11-01 period was 2,030 sqft. One year prior, the average listing was 1,970 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).