The list of FHA-approved condo buildings isn’t a long one. So if you’re looking for a condo and are planning to use an FHA loan with a small down payment, you’ll be limited to a small selection. Many buildings’ FHA approval expired last Fall, so condo properties have to renew their approval on a regular basis now. And keep in mind that certain restrictions apply; some lenders won’t lend if there is already an owner with an FHA loan in the building, for example. Or a minimum number of units have to be owner occupied.
It’s best to run the building details past your lender before you submit an offer, to make sure a purchase is possible for you. It’s also important to note the amount of the homeowners association (HOA) dues, which are very high in some of these properties (BLU, Soma Grand).
Another caveat—many of the buildings with current approval are sold out or close to it. So future purchases in the buildings will depend on resales and whether lenders will allow FHA loans given current restrictions. Easiest course of action is to have your agent do a survey of the buildings in which you’re interested to see if there’s a unit that would work for you.
Here’s the most current list of buildings that have FHA approval:
1151 Sutter
555 Bartlett
631 Folsom (BLU)
766 Harrison (Cubix)
901 Bush
942 Market
Arterra
Candlestick Cove (South SF)
McAllister Mews
Mosaica (601 Alabama)
Museum Plaza (300 Third St)
Sutter Heights
Symphony Towers (750 Van Ness)
The Artani (818 Van Ness)
Esprit Park (900 Minnesota)
The Montgomery (74 New Montgomery)
Soma Grand
Union