FHA Loans
FHA loans are the most popular path to homeownership for buyers with less-than-perfect credit or limited down payment savings. These articles cover Kern County loan limits, FHA vs conventional comparisons, mortgage insurance, and more.
FHA in Bakersfield: What I Check Before I Submit Your File
Most loan officers submit FHA files and wait for conditions to come back. I review every FHA file the way an underwriter would before it leaves my desk. Here is exactly what I look at and why it matters for Bakersfield's older housing stock.
FHA Manual Underwriting in Bakersfield: How to Get Approved When the Automated System Says No
An automated denial is not the end of an FHA application. Manual underwriting lets a human underwriter evaluate your complete file, and with the right compensating factors, approval is possible even with challenging credit history.
Getting an FHA Loan When You're Self-Employed in Bakersfield: The Two-Year Rule and What Underwriters Actually Need
Self-employed buyers can absolutely qualify for FHA loans. The challenge is documentation. Here's how lenders calculate self-employment income and what you can do before you apply to improve your approval odds.
Buying a Duplex with an FHA Loan in Bakersfield: Rental Income, Multi-Unit Limits, and the House-Hack Strategy
You can buy a duplex with 3.5% down using an FHA loan, live in one unit, and use rental income from the other to offset your mortgage. Here's exactly how the numbers work in Kern County.
FHA Loans with Student Debt in Bakersfield: How IBR, SAVE, and Deferred Loans Are Calculated
Student loan debt doesn't have to block your FHA approval. The real issue is how lenders calculate your payment for DTI purposes, and that calculation depends on your repayment plan.
2026 FHA Loan Limits in Kern County, California
The FHA loan limit for Kern County in 2026 is $541,287 for a single-family home. Here's what that means for Bakersfield buyers and how to make the most of it.
Transferring an FHA Case Number: What Happens and When You Need To
Switching lenders on an FHA loan means transferring the FHA case number, and the appraisal goes with it. Here's how the process works and what buyers and Realtors need to know.
FHA Loan After Bankruptcy or Foreclosure, Waiting Periods and How to Qualify
Bankruptcy or foreclosure doesn't mean you can never own a home again. Here's the exact FHA waiting period, when the clock starts, and how to rebuild your file during the wait.
Can an NFL Player Get an FHA Loan? How Contract Income Is Evaluated
A player signing a $4M contract might think getting a mortgage is trivial. The underwriter might disagree. Here's how contract income actually works in mortgage qualification.
Does FHA Allow Galvanized Plumbing? The 203(k) Rehab Loan Solution Explained
Galvanized plumbing is the quiet deal-killer in older homes. Here's what FHA says about it and how the 203(k) rehab loan lets you buy a home and fix the pipes in one loan.
Can a Cousin Give Gift Funds for an FHA Loan? (The Full Gift Fund Rules Explained)
Yes, a cousin can give you gift funds for an FHA loan, but the paperwork has to be airtight. Here's exactly who qualifies as an acceptable donor and how to document it correctly.
What Repairs Does FHA Require Before Closing? (And Who Pays for Them)
When an FHA appraisal comes back with required repairs, the deal isn't dead, but you need a plan. Here's how FHA repair conditions work and who typically pays.
What Disqualifies a Property for an FHA Loan? (Full List for Buyers and Realtors)
FHA has strict property standards and an appraiser will flag issues that can kill the deal. Here's the complete list of what can disqualify a home, and what to do about it.
2026 FHA Loan Limits in Bakersfield & Kern County, What Buyers Need to Know
The 2026 FHA loan limit for Kern County is $541,287 for a single-family home. Here's what that number means for Bakersfield buyers and what to do if you need more.
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Questions About FHA Loans?
Call Dan at (661) 342-9381. He answers his phone and gives straight answers, no sales pitch.