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Taft is one of the more affordable cities in Kern County. That works in your favor with FHA — lower prices mean you're not fighting loan limits.
FHA loan limits in Kern County sit well above typical Taft home prices. Most buyers here have plenty of room to work with.
580 (3.5% down)
Min Credit Score
3.5%
Min Down Payment
Up to 57%
Max DTI
1.75% of loan
Upfront MIP
2 years (Ch. 7)
After Bankruptcy
FHA Loans in Taft
FHA requires a 580 credit score for 3.5% down. Drop below 580 but stay above 500, and you'll need 10% down instead.
Debt-to-income ratio — what you owe monthly versus what you earn — can go up to 57% on FHA with strong compensating factors. That's flexible by any standard.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect fha loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Taft.
Taft is one of the more affordable cities in Kern County. That works in your favor with FHA — lower prices mean you're not fighting loan limits.
FHA loan limits in Kern County sit well above typical Taft home prices. Most buyers here have plenty of room to work with.
FHA requires a 580 credit score for 3.5% down. Drop below 580 but stay above 500, and you'll need 10% down instead.
Most retail banks approve FHA loans in bigger metros and drag their feet on small-market towns like Taft. Wholesale lenders don't have that bias.
We work with 200+ wholesale lenders. Several specialize in Kern County rural and small-city FHA deals. That gives you real options, not take-it-or-leave-it pricing.
Taft has a lot of oil field workers — W-2, overtime-heavy income. FHA handles overtime well if it's been consistent for two years.
Self-employed contractors in the energy sector need two years of tax returns. FHA averages those two years for qualifying income. A bad year can hurt you — plan ahead.
Conventional loans need 620+ credit and typically 5% down. FHA beats that on both fronts for buyers with bruised credit or thin savings.
USDA is worth checking if you're buying on the outskirts of Taft. Zero down, but the property must be in an eligible rural zone. FHA has no geographic restriction.
Taft's economy runs on energy. Job stability in that sector can be cyclical — lenders look at two-year employment history closely.
Appraisals in small Kern County markets can be tight. FHA appraisers must use local comps. Fewer sales means fewer data points, which can create valuation gaps.
Kern County follows the standard conforming FHA limit. Taft home prices typically fall well below that ceiling, so limits rarely restrict buyers here.
Yes. W-2 oil field income qualifies well. Overtime counts if you have a two-year consistent history with the same employer or field.
FHA does finance manufactured homes, but the property must meet specific HUD standards. Not every lender handles these — we know which ones do.
FHA charges an upfront MIP of 1.75% plus an annual premium. It stays for the loan's life if you put less than 10% down.
Chapter 7 requires a two-year waiting period after discharge. Chapter 13 may qualify after one year of on-time plan payments with court approval.
FHA works on any property in town. USDA requires rural eligibility — worth checking for properties on Taft's outer edges where zones may apply.