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What is an FHA loan?

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) administers a program of loan insurance to expand homeownership opportunities. FHA provides mortgage insurance to FHA-approved lenders to protect these lenders against losses if the homeowner defaults on the loan.

The cost of the mortgage insurance is passed along to the homeowner. The standards for qualifying for these loans are generally more flexible than for conventional loans.

The FHA is part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To learn more about FHA loan programs, including whether you might qualify for one, visit HUD’s website , call HUD at (800) 225-5342, or visit GovLoans.gov. HUD also provides a list of qualified FHA lenders .