Great Falls FHA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

GREAT FALLS, MT

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.

Great Falls's 38 lenders originated 212 FHA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $54,200,000, with an average FHA loan value of $255,660.

Great Falls FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

30 Year FHA mortgages in Great Falls averaged 6.34% for the week of 2024-11-08, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 6.425% for the same period.

Great Falls's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $7,459.

The average rate for the prior week (2024-11-01) was 6.11% and one month ago for the week of 2024-10-04, the average rate was 5.43%.

The average rate one year ago was 7.08%.

For refis of the same type during the week of 2024-11-08, the average rate was 6.53%.

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

Great Falls 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 Great Falls level.

Name # of Loans 2023 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2023 Avg. Closing Costs
Stockman Bank of Montana 38 6.10% $10,315
Opportunity Bank of Montana 34 5.86% $8,864
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 31 6.02% $11,288
MANN FINANCIAL INC. 24 6.17% $10,416
UNIVERSAL LENDING CORPORATION 6 5.63% $11,229
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 5 6.17% $11,081
MORTGAGE 1 INCORPORATED 5 6.50% $16,174
GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 5 6.43% $11,357
LEADERONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION 4 6.88% $9,051
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 3 5.42% $16,039
American Bank Center 3 6.46% $9,976
GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY 3 6.21% $10,449
LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC 3 5.50% $11,028
LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 3 6.63% $8,789
Wells Fargo Bank 2 6.63% $9,667
AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 5.69% $13,398
Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC 2 6.06% $11,282
Flagstar Bank, FSB 2 6.17% $6,017
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 2 5.50% $7,857
Glacier Bank 1 7.13% $12,415
Gateway First Bank 1 6.25% $14,895
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.25% $15,685
First National Bank and Trust Company 1 6.75% $7,024
CITY FIRST MORTGAGE SERVICES, L.L.C. 1 6.63% $11,870
Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 1 6.13% $20,249
MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.75% $14,982
NEWREZ LLC 1 6.75% $10,893
CARDINAL FINANCIAL 1 5.75% $9,730
ACADEMY MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.88% $12,396
CALCON MUTUAL MORTGAGE LLC 1 6.00% $7,041
PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY 1 6.00% $13,990
BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 1 6.13% $9,465
AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.00% $13,490
Sunflower Bank 1 6.49% $11,456
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 1 5.40% $17,570
AMERICAN FINANCING CORPORATION 1 7.13% $13,997
U.S. Bank 1 7.25% $14,623
HORIZON 1 6.75% $7,673

The top Great Falls FHA lender as defined by loan originations is Stockman Bank of Montana, with 38 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $10,315, which is $1,452 higher than the next largest lender, Opportunity Bank of Montana.

The lowest fee Great Falls FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are Opportunity Bank of Montana ($8,864), Stockman Bank of Montana ($10,315), MANN FINANCIAL INC. ($10,416), FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION ($11,288) and .

The lowest rate Great Falls FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are Opportunity Bank of Montana (5.86%), FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION (6.02%), Stockman Bank of Montana (6.10%), MANN FINANCIAL INC. (6.17%) and .

Great Falls FHA Loan Limits

Metro County Year Single Family Limit 2 Family Limit 3 Family Limit 4 Family Limit
GREAT FALLS, MT CASCADE 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
GREAT FALLS, MT CASCADE 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).