Lake Charles FHA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

LAKE CHARLES, LA

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.

Lake Charles's 60 lenders originated 560 FHA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $116,480,000, with an average FHA loan value of $208,000.

Lake Charles FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

30 Year FHA mortgages in Lake Charles averaged 6.59% for the week of 2024-04-19, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 6.855% for the same period.

Lake Charles's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $6,987.

The average rate for the prior week (2024-04-12) was 6.88% and one month ago for the week of 2024-03-15, the average rate was 6.65%.

The average rate one year ago was 6.27%.

For refis of the same type during the week of 2024-04-19, the average rate was 6.84%.

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

Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles level.

Name # of Loans 2023 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2023 Avg. Closing Costs
FIDELITY BANK 77 6.45% $8,156
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 52 6.58% $9,588
NTFN, INC. 39 6.61% $9,114
DHI MORTGAGE COMPANY, LTD. 33 5.19% $7,798
NEWREZ LLC 30 6.96% $9,982
DSLD MORTGAGE, LLC 27 5.74% $4,896
GMFS LLC 22 6.50% $6,414
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 22 6.29% $9,719
AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD MORTGAGE ACCEPTANCE COMPANY LLC 21 6.75% $10,295
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 15 6.98% $9,346
Chickasaw Community Bank 12 7.04% $10,037
Nations Lending Corporation 12 7.11% $4,601
MORTGAGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC 9 6.64% $7,713
Plains Commerce Bank 8 6.56% $9,840
CARDINAL FINANCIAL 8 6.44% $8,595
T2 FINANCIAL LLC 8 6.74% $10,287
Red River Bank 8 6.30% $6,245
LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 8 6.20% $11,868
UNION HOME MORTGAGE CORP. 7 6.57% $9,124
AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION 7 7.07% $10,080
Equity Prime Mortgage LLC 6 7.00% $8,096
THE MORTGAGE FIRM, INC. 6 7.00% $7,947
AMERICAN FINANCIAL NETWORK, INC. 6 7.27% $10,603
JPMorgan Chase Bank 6 6.23% $5,737
DAS Acquisition Company, LLC 6 7.08% $10,684
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 5 6.25% $12,506
NP, Inc. 5 6.55% $6,412
EUSTIS AND AMERICAN MORTGAGE COMPANY 3 6.83% $7,217
AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 3 6.50% $14,053
AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC. 3 6.88% $9,619
Citizens Bank 3 6.21% $6,597
PLAZA HOME MORTGAGE, INC. 3 6.83% $6,013
MID AMERICA MORTGAGE, INC. 3 7.17% $8,711
BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 2 6.25% $16,388
Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC 2 6.38% $8,594
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 7.94% $6,750
First Horizon Bank 2 6.63% $11,498
Gateway First Bank 2 7.25% $8,164
Hancock Whitney Bank 2 6.63% $6,609
HOMEBRIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 2 6.81% $5,885
M&T Bank 2 6.50% $10,496
MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. 2 6.75% $17,667
STOCKTON MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 6.75% $7,525
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 1 7.25% $11,223
Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 1 5.75% $13,200
PENTAGON FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 1 5.88% $5,698
Magnolia Bank 1 6.13% $9,288
INSPIRE HOME LOANS INC. 1 5.50% $8,223
PREMIA MORTGAGE, LLC 1 7.00% $9,536
FBC MORTGAGE, LLC 1 7.25% $3,795
CRESCENT MORTGAGE COMPANY 1 6.63% $13,950
Renasant Bank 1 7.63% $6,655
Sabine State Bank and Trust Company 1 5.63% $9,375
Wells Fargo Bank 1 6.63% $8,770
CMG MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.75% $13,393
CITY FIRST MORTGAGE SERVICES, L.L.C. 1 7.63% $10,005
BARKSDALE 1 5.88% $6,058
Assurance Financial Group, L.L.C. 1 6.75% $11,991
V.I.P. MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.25% $10,253
NATIONS RELIABLE LENDING, LLC 1 7.63% $8,713

The top Lake Charles FHA lender as defined by loan originations is FIDELITY BANK, with 77 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $8,156, which is $1,432 lower than the next largest lender, UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC.

The lowest fee Lake Charles FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are Nations Lending Corporation ($4,601), DSLD MORTGAGE, LLC ($4,896), GMFS LLC ($6,414), DHI MORTGAGE COMPANY, LTD. ($7,798) and FIDELITY BANK ($8,156).

The lowest rate Lake Charles FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are DHI MORTGAGE COMPANY, LTD. (5.19%), DSLD MORTGAGE, LLC (5.74%), QUICKEN LOANS, LLC (6.29%), FIDELITY BANK (6.45%) and GMFS LLC (6.50%).

Lake Charles FHA Loan Limits

Metro County Year Single Family Limit 2 Family Limit 3 Family Limit 4 Family Limit
LAKE CHARLES, LA CALCASIEU 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
LAKE CHARLES, LA CAMERON 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
LAKE CHARLES, LA CALCASIEU 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900
LAKE CHARLES, LA CAMERON 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900

Market Conditions (Median, Average Prices & Listing Count)

Realtor.com - Lake Charles (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 $231,000 (-3.7%) $294,716 (-11.0%) 0.86 849
2018-02-01 $229,250 (-4.3%) $290,130 (-11.5%) 0.83 838
2018-03-01 $234,900 (-4.5%) $293,049 (-12.0%) 0.82 825
2018-04-01 $235,250 (-5.9%) $293,284 (-13.0%) 0.80 817
2018-05-01 $244,500 (-2.2%) $306,979 (-11.0%) 0.82 803
2018-06-01 $240,000 (-3.7%) $300,900 (-12.1%) 0.80 885
2018-07-01 $235,000 (-4.5%) $296,453 (-9.7%) 0.78 914
2018-08-01 $239,925 (-0.9%) $325,459 (4.2%) 0.80 933
2018-09-01 $235,958 (-1.6%) $319,951 (5.1%) 0.79 952
2018-10-01 $235,479 (-0.6%) $313,600 (3.8%) 0.80 978
2018-11-01 $234,358 (0.7%) $316,874 (5.2%) 0.79 987
2018-12-01 $234,700 (0.5%) $322,782 (7.8%) 0.81 979
2019-01-01 $234,950 (1.7%) $318,136 (8.0%) 0.81 973
2019-02-01 $236,860 (3.3%) $316,143 (9.0%) 0.80 974
2019-03-01 $238,999 (1.8%) $320,703 (9.4%) 0.78 950
2019-04-01 $239,636 (1.9%) $326,348 (11.3%) 0.76 928
2019-05-01 $241,700 (-1.2%) $335,309 (9.2%) 0.76 901
2019-06-01 $240,667 (0.3%) $328,390 (9.1%) 0.75 879
2019-07-01 $239,375 (1.9%) $322,993 (9.0%) 0.75 940
2019-08-01 $235,827 (-1.7%) $318,585 (-2.1%) 0.75 965
2019-09-01 $232,268 (-1.6%) $317,460 (-0.8%) 0.74 966
2019-10-01 $230,000 (-2.3%) $319,554 (1.9%) 0.74 957
2019-11-01 $229,950 (-1.9%) $318,376 (0.5%) 0.75 948
2019-12-01 $220,000 (-6.3%) $259,380 (-19.6%) 0.73 850
2020-01-01 $219,900 (-6.4%) $261,329 (-17.9%) 0.73 836
2020-02-01 $223,700 (-5.6%) $264,697 (-16.3%) 0.73 845
2020-03-01 $220,950 (-7.6%) $270,241 (-15.7%) 0.69 862
2020-04-01 $219,600 (-8.4%) $269,577 (-17.4%) 0.69 886
2020-05-01 $220,990 (-8.6%) $273,204 (-18.5%) 0.67 866
2020-06-01 $224,812 (-6.6%) $280,946 (-14.5%) 0.66 853
2020-07-01 $224,775 (-6.1%) $284,137 (-12.0%) 0.65 837
2020-08-01 $220,900 (-6.3%) $286,257 (-10.2%) 0.63 839
2020-09-01 $221,225 (-4.8%) $285,808 (-10.0%) 0.63 674
2020-10-01 $225,500 (-2.0%) $291,843 (-8.7%) 0.65 554
2020-11-01 $228,858 (-0.5%) $282,198 (-11.4%) 0.67 507
2020-12-01 $229,600 (4.4%) $278,805 (7.5%) 0.68 479
2021-01-01 $234,500 (6.6%) $279,397 (6.9%) 0.70 449
2021-02-01 $242,500 (8.4%) $294,010 (11.1%) 0.71 403
2021-03-01 $238,450 (7.9%) $291,157 (7.7%) 0.68 364
2021-04-01 $236,920 (7.9%) $289,688 (7.5%) 0.64 346
2021-05-01 $231,999 (5.0%) $296,690 (8.6%) 0.62 307
2021-06-01 $230,750 (2.6%) $294,126 (4.7%) 0.61 300
2021-07-01 $234,200 (4.2%) $291,448 (2.6%) 0.62 343
2021-08-01 $231,500 (4.8%) $292,828 (2.3%) 0.62 375
2021-09-01 $231,500 (4.6%) $285,080 (-0.3%) 0.62 420
2021-10-01 $224,900 (-0.3%) $278,038 (-4.7%) 0.60 465
2021-11-01 $219,675 (-4.0%) $270,784 (-4.0%) 0.59 506
2021-12-01 $216,375 (-5.8%) $262,106 (-6.0%) 0.59 524
2022-01-01 $223,900 (-4.5%) $265,414 (-5.0%) 0.61 494
2022-02-01 $218,075 (-10.1%) $266,044 (-9.5%) 0.57 487
2022-03-01 $219,900 (-7.8%) $267,113 (-8.3%) 0.55 469
2022-04-01 $218,900 (-7.6%) $279,878 (-3.4%) 0.52 467
2022-05-01 $220,000 (-5.2%) $285,888 (-3.6%) 0.50 510
2022-06-01 $237,100 (2.8%) $291,517 (-0.9%) 0.53 586
2022-07-01 $239,900 (2.4%) $286,760 (-1.6%) 0.54 659
2022-08-01 $234,225 (1.2%) $279,878 (-4.4%) 0.54 715
2022-09-01 $229,500 (-0.9%) $273,866 (-3.9%) 0.54 757
2022-10-01 $237,900 (5.8%) $277,279 (-0.3%) 0.56 821
2022-11-01 $238,575 (8.6%) $274,424 (1.3%) 0.57 864
2022-12-01 $235,000 (8.6%) $271,946 (3.8%) 0.58 878
2023-01-01 $236,225 (5.5%) $276,139 (4.0%) 0.59 836
2023-02-01 $229,475 (5.2%) $271,433 (2.0%) 0.55 815
2023-03-01 $236,750 (7.7%) $281,413 (5.4%) 0.56 823
2023-04-01 $235,000 (7.4%) $284,281 (1.6%) 0.55 811
2023-05-01 $242,400 (10.2%) $294,189 (2.9%) 0.55 893
2023-06-01 $249,450 (5.2%) $298,551 (2.4%) 0.56 876
2023-07-01 $249,000 (3.8%) $293,884 (2.5%) 0.57 907
2023-08-01 $241,350 (3.0%) $293,122 (4.7%) 0.55 921
2023-09-01 $238,745 (4.0%) $287,317 (4.9%) 0.56 930
2023-10-01 $239,200 (0.6%) $290,705 (4.8%) 0.56 921
2023-11-01 $239,675 (0.5%) $288,707 (5.2%) 0.57 906
2023-12-01 $239,999 (2.1%) $289,403 (6.4%) 0.59 888
2024-01-01 $239,950 (1.6%) $289,436 (4.8%) 0.59 835
2024-02-01 $244,400 (6.5%) $292,779 (7.9%) 0.59 882
2024-03-01 $245,000 (3.5%) $298,297 (6.0%) 0.58 916
Lake Charles's median listing price for 2024-03-01 was $245,000, a difference of $8,250 (3.5%) versus the prior year and $600 versus the prior month.

Lake Charles's median listing price comes in at 58% of the national average.

Lake Charles's average listing price for 2024-03-01 was $298,297, a difference of $16,884 (6.0%) versus the prior year and $5,518 versus the prior month.

For the 2024-03-01 period, Lake Charles had 916 MLS listings, a difference of 34 listings (4%) versus the prior month and 93 listings (11%) versus the prior year.

Median Listing Time on Market & Square Footage

Realtor.com - Lake Charles (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Date Median Listing Time on Market Median Square Footage
2018-01-01 84 days 1,961 sqft
2018-02-01 88 days 1,928 sqft
2018-03-01 80 days 1,940 sqft
2018-04-01 71 days 1,946 sqft
2018-05-01 69 days 1,996 sqft
2018-06-01 69 days 2,000 sqft
2018-07-01 74 days 1,982 sqft
2018-08-01 79 days 2,007 sqft
2018-09-01 81 days 1,984 sqft
2018-10-01 79 days 1,991 sqft
2018-11-01 83 days 1,985 sqft
2018-12-01 87 days 1,982 sqft
2019-01-01 90 days 1,983 sqft
2019-02-01 94 days 1,986 sqft
2019-03-01 82 days 1,991 sqft
2019-04-01 75 days 2,009 sqft
2019-05-01 76 days 2,021 sqft
2019-06-01 76 days 2,017 sqft
2019-07-01 79 days 2,009 sqft
2019-08-01 79 days 1,998 sqft
2019-09-01 81 days 1,989 sqft
2019-10-01 82 days 1,993 sqft
2019-11-01 88 days 2,000 sqft
2019-12-01 89 days 1,890 sqft
2020-01-01 91 days 1,877 sqft
2020-02-01 92 days 1,889 sqft
2020-03-01 71 days 1,889 sqft
2020-04-01 78 days 1,882 sqft
2020-05-01 80 days 1,894 sqft
2020-06-01 81 days 1,900 sqft
2020-07-01 77 days 1,899 sqft
2020-08-01 75 days 1,900 sqft
2020-09-01 86 days 1,900 sqft
2020-10-01 98 days 1,900 sqft
2020-11-01 100 days 1,900 sqft
2020-12-01 67 days 1,898 sqft
2021-01-01 70 days 1,899 sqft
2021-02-01 60 days 1,897 sqft
2021-03-01 58 days 1,880 sqft
2021-04-01 55 days 1,886 sqft
2021-05-01 53 days 1,889 sqft
2021-06-01 52 days 1,893 sqft
2021-07-01 47 days 1,886 sqft
2021-08-01 51 days 1,892 sqft
2021-09-01 53 days 1,886 sqft
2021-10-01 58 days 1,858 sqft
2021-11-01 65 days 1,842 sqft
2021-12-01 69 days 1,813 sqft
2022-01-01 72 days 1,825 sqft
2022-02-01 62 days 1,812 sqft
2022-03-01 57 days 1,834 sqft
2022-04-01 54 days 1,810 sqft
2022-05-01 52 days 1,841 sqft
2022-06-01 53 days 1,876 sqft
2022-07-01 54 days 1,902 sqft
2022-08-01 60 days 1,889 sqft
2022-09-01 64 days 1,885 sqft
2022-10-01 70 days 1,880 sqft
2022-11-01 77 days 1,877 sqft
2022-12-01 89 days 1,875 sqft
2023-01-01 97 days 1,882 sqft
2023-02-01 97 days 1,852 sqft
2023-03-01 92 days 1,881 sqft
2023-04-01 78 days 1,875 sqft
2023-05-01 72 days 1,880 sqft
2023-06-01 78 days 1,895 sqft
2023-07-01 80 days 1,895 sqft
2023-08-01 78 days 1,880 sqft
2023-09-01 78 days 1,875 sqft
2023-10-01 85 days 1,882 sqft
2023-11-01 90 days 1,857 sqft
2023-12-01 94 days 1,860 sqft
2024-01-01 102 days 1,867 sqft
2024-02-01 94 days 1,876 sqft
2024-03-01 80 days 1,880 sqft
Lake Charles's median listing age (time on market) for 2024-03-01 was 80 days. This is -13% shorter than the same period one year ago.

Lake Charles's median square footage for active listings during the 2024-03-01 period was 1,880 sqft. One year prior, the average listing was 1,881 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).