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Exeter is a small Central Valley city in Tulare County. Home prices here stay well below coastal California levels.
That works in your favor with FHA. Lower prices mean smaller loan balances and easier qualification thresholds.
580 (3.5% down)
Min Credit Score
3.5%
Min Down Payment
Up to 57%
Max DTI Ratio
Required on all FHA
Mortgage Insurance
2-yr wait (Ch. 7)
After Bankruptcy
FHA Loans in Exeter
FHA requires a 580 credit score for 3.5% down. Drop below 580 and you need 10% down to qualify.
Debt-to-income ratios can stretch to 57% with strong compensating factors. That's more room than conventional allows.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect fha loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Exeter.
Exeter is a small Central Valley city in Tulare County. Home prices here stay well below coastal California levels.
That works in your favor with FHA. Lower prices mean smaller loan balances and easier qualification thresholds.
FHA requires a 580 credit score for 3.5% down. Drop below 580 and you need 10% down to qualify.
Most retail banks offer FHA, but their overlays — extra lender rules — often push minimums above FHA guidelines.
We shop across 200+ wholesale lenders. Some approve at 580 where others require 620. That gap matters in Exeter.
FHA mortgage insurance never goes away on 30-year loans with low down payments. That's a real cost to plan for.
If you put 10% down, MIP drops off after 11 years. Some buyers refi to conventional once equity hits 20%.
USDA loans cover many Tulare County areas — including parts near Exeter — with zero down and no monthly MIP.
If you qualify for USDA, it usually beats FHA on total cost. VA beats both if you have military service.
Tulare County has an agricultural economy. Seasonal or self-employed income needs two years of tax returns for FHA.
FHA appraisals are stricter than conventional. Properties with deferred maintenance can delay or kill approval.
Tulare County follows the standard FHA loan limit for 2026. Check current HUD limits — they adjust annually and cap what you can borrow.
Yes. FHA covers 2-4 unit properties if you occupy one unit. Multi-unit loan limits are higher than single-family.
Chapter 7 requires a 2-year wait from discharge. Chapter 13 may qualify after 12 months of on-time plan payments.
FHA requires an appraisal, not a full inspection. But hire an independent inspector — appraisers miss things.
Yes, but you need two years of self-employment tax returns. Lenders average your net income — write-offs hurt your qualifying income.
USDA wins on cost if the property qualifies. We check USDA eligibility first — if it works, it beats FHA almost every time.