No. A frequent misconception about the FHA mortgage insurance programs is that it is only limited to low income or subsidized housing.  HUD will insure market-rate apartment assets with no income restrictions or subsidies.

FHA mortgage insurance programs are not restricted to low-income tenants nor do they control rents charged. The programs, as part of the National Housing Act, were designed to provide financing for new construction or substantial rehabilitation of multifamily projects, in the case of Section 221(d)(3), 221(d)(4), and 231 insurance. Under the Section 231 program, all project residents can be limited to 62 years and older. The Section 223(f) insurance program was created to assure the availability of mortgage capital for the acquisition or refinance of existing multifamily properties. All of these programs involve market rate consideration in underwriting unless they are restricted by requirements associated with other funding sources.

Maturities of 35 years or less for Section 223(f) and 40 years or less for Section 221(d) are permissible, however, all debt must be amortized within the term of the loan. Shorter amortization periods increase annual debt service requirements, which decrease the amount a property can borrow based on debt service coverage.

Interest rates usually are not fixed prior to the issuance of a HUD firm commitment. In order to reduce the possibility that rising interest rates might hinder proceeding under a HUD firm commitment, RED Mortgage Capital, LLC will submit the application to HUD at a rate slightly higher than the anticipated final rate. Rates typically will be fixed following the issuance of the firm commitment and after the requirements for rate, the lock has been met.

Refinance or acquisition transactions will require a minimum debt service coverage, including a deposit to the replacement reserve, ranging from 1.11x to 1.20x. New construction and substantial rehabilitation transactions will require a minimum debt service coverage, including a deposit to replacement reserve, ranging from 1.11x to 1.20x.

FHA mortgage insurance programs do not dictate income limitations. The borrower, however, must certify to abide by Fair Housing practices.

For new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects, and operating deficit escrow is dependent upon underwritten rent-up assumptions or program-based minimums. In the case of refinancing, acquisition, or substantial rehabilitation (when significant tenant displacement does not occur), an operating deficit escrow is not required.

FHA requires that the borrower (or borrowing entity) be a single asset mortgagor. Often, the owning entity is structured as Limited Liability Companies (LLC).