Reverse Mortgage
HECM for Purchase Down Payment: Sourcing Rules and Seasoning Requirements (2026)
HECM for Purchase down payment rules in 2026: acceptable sources, the 6% IPC cap after FHA's April 2024 change, and 12-month seasoning explained.
seasoning
Cash-Out
Cash-Out Refinance on Inherited Property in 2026: Title, Lien and Occupancy Rules
Conventional cash-out lenders waive the six-month title-seasoning requirement for inherited property. Here is how the 2026 title, lien and occupancy rules work across conventional, FHA and VA financing.
Cash-Out
FHA Cash-Out Refinance Seasoning in 2026: The 12-Month Rule Explained
Understand FHA cash-out refinance rules for 2026, including 12-month ownership and occupancy, mortgage payment history, exceptions and Streamline differences.
Refinancing
HECM-to-HECM Refinance 2026: The 5× Benefit Rule, MIP Credit, and When It’s Worth It
HUD's 5× benefit rule decides if you can refinance your reverse mortgage in 2026. See the math, seasoning windows, MIP credit, and when it's worth it.
Cash-Out
Delayed Financing Six-Month Rule: When the Clock Starts (2026)
The delayed financing six-month rule gives cash buyers one window to refinance. Learn how the clock starts, how to measure it, and what to do if you miss.
Cash-Out
Delayed Financing Exception: How to Cash-Out Refinance a Home You Bought With Cash (2026)
Yes, you can cash-out refinance a home you bought with cash before the standard six-month waiting period ends. Here's how the exception works.
VA & IRRRL
VA IRRRL 210-Day Seasoning Rule Explained (2026): How the Two-Part Waiting Period Works
The VA IRRRL 210-day seasoning rule requires 210 days plus 6 consecutive payments. See how to count, what resets the clock, and when you qualify in 2026.
Basics
Refinance guide seasoning after purchase before refinancing
What “Seasoning” Means and When It Makes Sense Seasoning refers to the required waiting period between purchasing a home (or obtaining a mortgage) and refinancing that mortgage. Lenders and loan programs set seasoning requirements to reduce fraud, protect investors, and ensure borrowers establish payment history. Seasoning commonly matters most for cash‑out refinances, certain government programs, […]
Cash-Out
Refinance guide seasoning requirements for cash-out refinance
Seasoning Requirements for Cash-Out Refinance: What Homeowners Need to Know When homeowners want to tap the equity in their property through a cash-out refinance, one of the first obstacles they may encounter is a “seasoning” requirement. Seasoning rules determine how long you must own or have had an existing mortgage on the property before a […]