FHA Loans

When Does FHA Mortgage Insurance Go Away? The 11-Year Rule, the Refinance Exit, and the Math

Douglas Wilkerson

Published on: 08/11/2026

Less than 10% down on an FHA loan means mortgage insurance for the life of the loan — about $29,400 on a $300,000 home. Here is the 11-year rule, the refinance exit, and the math.

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How Much House Can an FHA Loan Buy in Jacksonville? The 2026 Limits, in Dollars

Douglas Wilkerson

Published on: 01/11/2026

Duval County's 2026 FHA loan limit is $580,750 for a one-unit home — and that loan buys a $601,813 home at 3.5% down. Here's how the limit is built, what it means in payment dollars, and what to do over the limit.

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Your Family Can Fund Your FHA Down Payment — and the Seller Can Cover the Rest: Gift Funds and Seller Concessions, Explained

Douglas Wilkerson

Published on: 30/10/2026

FHA lets a family gift cover the entire 3.5% down payment, and the seller can contribute up to 6% of the price toward closing costs. Here is how the two buckets work — and the lines you cannot cross — on a $300,000 Jacksonville example.

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FHA Is Rewriting Its Property Rules for the First Time in 20+ Years — What Buyers Need to Know

Douglas Wilkerson

Published on: 25/10/2026

FHA's September 22, 2026 draft would end required appliance observations and crawl-space visits, set a C4 condition minimum, and narrow lead-paint repairs to the dwelling. Feedback closes November 6, 2026 — but nothing changes yet. What buyers and sellers should do now.

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