Sterling FHA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

Sterling, IL

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.

Sterling's 29 lenders originated 97 FHA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $11,585,000, with an average FHA loan value of $119,433.

Sterling FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

30 Year FHA mortgages in Sterling averaged 6.74% for the week of 2024-11-08, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 6.425% for the same period.

Sterling's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $5,224.

The average rate for the prior week (2024-11-01) was 6.41% and one month ago for the week of 2024-10-04, the average rate was 6.23%.

The average rate one year ago was 7.48%.

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.

Sterling 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 Sterling level.

Name # of Loans 2023 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2023 Avg. Closing Costs
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 11 6.65% $6,213
GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY 10 6.96% $6,195
CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 7 7.11% $6,648
U.S. Bank 6 6.77% $4,430
BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 6 6.98% $8,221
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 6 6.92% $5,724
Ixonia Bank 5 6.40% $6,491
RUHL MORTGAGE, LLC 4 6.13% $3,900
Mortgage Research Center, LLC 3 6.71% $3,667
LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 3 7.17% $8,210
CALIBER HOME LOANS, INC. 3 6.29% $5,090
HOMESIDE FINANCIAL, LLC 2 6.94% $8,341
NEWREZ LLC 2 6.56% $5,788
Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. 2 7.00% $7,515
GREENSTATE CREDIT UNION 2 6.63% $4,286
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 7.00% $8,502
Plains Commerce Bank 2 6.81% $6,965
SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. 1 7.75% $3,720
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 1 6.75% $11,022
NBKC BANK 1 7.00% $5,408
Equity Prime Mortgage LLC 1 7.75% $7,838
CIBM Bank 1 6.75% $4,407
CARDINAL FINANCIAL 1 7.63% $7,564
AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 7.75% $6,064
LEADERONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION 1 7.25% $7,816
COMPASS MORTGAGE, INC. 1 7.75% $11,054
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 1 6.75% $3,952
PHH Mortgage Corporation 1 6.49% $9,979
PLAZA HOME MORTGAGE, INC. 1 7.25% $3,884

The top Sterling FHA lender as defined by loan originations is QUICKEN LOANS, LLC, with 11 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $6,213, which is $18 higher than the next largest lender, GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY.

The lowest fee Sterling FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY ($6,195), QUICKEN LOANS, LLC ($6,213), .

The lowest rate Sterling FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are QUICKEN LOANS, LLC (6.65%), GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY (6.96%), .

Sterling FHA Loan Limits

Metro County Year Single Family Limit 2 Family Limit 3 Family Limit 4 Family Limit
STERLING, IL WHITESIDE 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
STERLING, IL WHITESIDE 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).