Louisiana FHA Loans at a Glance: just 3.5% down · FICO from 580 · statewide limit $541,287 · pairs with LHC DPA up to 9% · NMLS #1826020
Louisiana FHA Home Loans · Direct Lender Since 1998

FHA Loans Louisiana

Buy a Louisiana home with as little as 3.5% down and a credit score from 580. From New Orleans to Baton Rouge and the Northshore, FHA keeps ownership within reach – and it pairs with Louisiana Housing Corporation down-payment help, with some programs reaching up to 9%.

  • 3.5% down with a 580+ FICO (10% down from 500-579)
  • Pair LHC assistance (4% grant, or up to 9% on MRB Home)
  • Uniform statewide FHA limit of $541,287 (one-unit)
  • We help you plan for Louisiana’s insurance and flood-zone costs
  • Gift funds welcome; seller can pay up to 6% of closing costs

Start My Louisiana FHA Application →

Get Pre-Approved for a Louisiana FHA Loan

Fast, friendly, no obligation.

Get Your Free Quote! No Credit Pull Required.

★ 3.5% down★ 580 credit OK★ LHC DPA★ Insurance-savvy★ First-time friendly★ Serving LA since 1998

Why an FHA loan works in Louisiana

An FHA loan is a government-insured mortgage that helps Louisiana buyers qualify with flexible credit, a low down payment and higher debt-to-income than conventional financing. With every parish at the floor, FHA is broadly usable across the state.

In Louisiana, affordability is driven as much by insurance as by price. Whether you are buying your first home in Baton Rouge or a place on the Northshore, we structure your FHA loan and help you plan for insurance and flood costs so your budget holds up. Start your application →

2026 Louisiana FHA loan limits by county

FHA loan limits are set by parish, but in 2026 every Louisiana parish uses the same one-unit floor:

All Louisiana parishes (1-unit)$541,287 – statewide, including the New Orleans metro (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany) and Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston)
2-unit properties$693,050
3-unit properties$837,700
4-unit properties$1,041,125

2026 one-unit FHA limits set annually by HUD; 2-4 unit limits are higher. We confirm the exact limit for your Louisiana county before you write an offer.

Ready to see how much home you can buy in Louisiana with 3.5% down? Get pre-approved today.
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Louisiana down payment assistance you can pair with FHA

Your FHA loan pairs with the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC), which offers some of the deeper down-payment help in the South:

Market Rate GNMA Program

Up to 4% of the loan toward down payment, closing costs and prepaids – grant-style help that does not have to be repaid.

MRB Home & MRB Assisted

MRB Assisted offers 4% assistance; MRB Home ranges roughly 5%-9% depending on your loan amount.

Delta 100

For first-time buyers in eligible Delta parishes with thin credit – 100% financing, no down payment and no PMI, plus up to 3% closing help.

Who qualifies

First-time buyers (or targeted areas), 640+ credit, income limits and a homebuyer class.

Gift funds & seller credits

Combine gift funds and up to 6% in seller credits with FHA and LHC help to minimize cash to close.

Insurance planning

We factor homeowner and flood insurance into your pre-approval so your payment is realistic.

Ask about LHC assistance – 4% grants and up to 9% on select programs.
See If You Qualify

Assistance programs have income, price and funding limits, are first-come while funds last, and are subject to change and eligibility. We confirm what you qualify for.

First-time buyer, family, or 55+ mover – we have a Louisiana FHA program for you.
Start My Application

What it takes to qualify for a Louisiana FHA loan

Down paymentAs little as 3.5% down if your score is 580 or higher; 10% down applies from 500-579
CreditA 580 minimum for the low-down program, and hands-on help for buyers still rebuilding
MIP (mortgage insurance)A one-time 1.75% upfront premium rolled into the loan, plus a small monthly premium (about 0.15%-0.55%)
DTI flexibilityRoom up to roughly 43%-50% of income when you have compensating factors or automated approval
Where the down payment can come fromSavings, a family gift, or an eligible down-payment-assistance program
Help from the sellerSellers may cover up to 6% of your closing costs on an FHA purchase
Eligible propertiesA Louisiana single-family home, an FHA-approved condo or townhome, or a 2-4 unit you occupy
How you use itIt must be your primary residence – the home you live in
Adding a co-borrowerA non-occupant co-borrower such as a parent can be added to help you qualify
Buy a Louisiana home with an FHA loan - apply nowYour Louisiana home is closer than you think →

Why buyers choose FHA in Louisiana

  • Put down just 3.5% and keep your savings intact
  • Qualify from a 580 score with practical, human underwriting
  • Cover the down payment with gifts or LHC help
  • Finance a house, condo or an owner-occupied 2-4 unit
  • Lower your rate down the road with an FHA Streamline

Get My FHA Pre-Approval →

Louisiana FHA payment & affordability calculators

Estimate your Louisiana FHA payment, cash to close and price range below. These tools are for planning only; apply to get your real numbers.

1. FHA monthly payment

Estimate your full monthly payment including FHA mortgage insurance.

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Total monthly payment
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Principal, interest & MIP

2. Down payment & cash to close

See your down payment and estimated cash after seller credits.

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Estimated cash to close
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Down payment amount

3. How much home can I afford?

Estimate your FHA price range from income and monthly debts.

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Estimated home price
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Max housing payment

4. FHA loan amount + MIP

See your base loan plus the 1.75% upfront MIP financed in.

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Total financed (with UFMIP)
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Base loan / 1.75% UFMIP

Estimates only and not a commitment to lend. FHA charges 1.75% upfront MIP (financed) plus a monthly annual premium (~0.55% here for illustration). Actual figures depend on your property, credit and qualification.

Stack LHC assistance with FHA - grants up to 9% on select programs.
See If I Qualify

Top Louisiana school districts & family towns

Great schools support both your kids and your resale value. Here are some of the top-rated Louisiana districts and towns:

Zachary Community (Baton Rouge area)

Frequently ranked Louisiana's top public district.

Central Community (Baton Rouge)

A highly rated, sought-after breakaway district.

St. Tammany Parish (Mandeville, Covington)

Strong Northshore schools in fast-growing suburbs.

Ascension Parish (Gonzales, Prairieville)

Well-regarded, growing district south of Baton Rouge.

Lafayette Parish select zones

Solid schools in the heart of Acadiana.

Jefferson Parish (Metairie)

Established New Orleans-metro schools and neighborhoods.

Louisiana 55+ & active-adult communities

An FHA loan can buy a home in a Louisiana 55+ community (any condo must be FHA-approved). Some of the most popular:

Money Hill (Abita Springs)

Gated golf community popular with active-adult buyers on the Northshore.

TerraBella Village (Covington)

New Urbanist neighborhood with age-targeted appeal.

Del Webb-style communities (Northshore)

Low-maintenance 55+ living north of Lake Pontchartrain.

Active-adult sections (Baton Rouge)

Patio-home neighborhoods for downsizers.

Villas communities (Lafayette)

Maintenance-provided homes in Acadiana.

Condominium communities (New Orleans metro)

FHA-approved 55+ condos with low upkeep.

FHA loans across Louisiana - cities we serve

We have financed FHA purchases and refinances across Louisiana since 1998. Here are some of the markets we serve:

  • New Orleans
  • Baton Rouge
  • Shreveport
  • Lafayette
  • Lake Charles
  • Metairie
  • Kenner
  • Bossier City
  • Monroe
  • Alexandria
  • Houma
  • Slidell
  • Mandeville
  • Covington
  • Hammond
  • Prairieville
  • Central
  • Zachary
  • New Iberia
  • Ruston

Do not see your city? Start your application → - we lend statewide across Louisiana.

Ready to buy in Louisiana? Start here

From a first condo to a move-up house in a top Louisiana school zone or a 55+ community, we pair you with the right FHA program and a same-week pre-approval - 3.5% down.

  • Pre-approval in days, not weeks
  • Stack Louisiana assistance and family gift funds
  • A direct FHA lender serving buyers since 1998

Apply for My Louisiana FHA Loan →

Apply for your Louisiana FHA home loanGet pre-approved with 3.5% down →

Louisiana 2027 housing & FHA outlook

A few Louisiana trends worth watching as you plan a 2027 purchase:

Insurance is the affordability story

Premiums have spiked post-storm; the Insure Louisiana program is working to bring carriers back - insurability now drives budgets more than price.

Flood zones matter

Elevation certificates and NFIP Risk Rating 2.0 premiums increasingly determine which FHA appraisals clear - we plan for it up front.

Northshore outperforms

St. Tammany draws buyers leaving higher-risk coastal parishes, supporting steady demand.

Floor limits keep FHA usable

With every parish at $541,287, FHA remains broadly usable statewide into 2027.

Outlook only, not a guarantee or financial advice. Market conditions change; we give you current, personalized numbers when you apply.

Your Louisiana FHA loan, step by step

Start your pre-approval

A few minutes online tells you your price range, rate and 3.5%-down payment.

Shop with an edge

Make offers in the Louisiana town and school zone you want, backed by a real pre-approval.

Appraisal & approval

We manage the FHA appraisal and underwriting, staying flexible on credit and gift funds.

Get your keys

Close on your Louisiana home and start building equity from day one.

FHA loan programs available in Louisiana

Buy with FHA

Purchase a Louisiana house, condo or owner-occupied 2-4 unit for as little as 3.5% down.

Streamline refinance

Trim your rate or payment on an existing FHA loan with light docs and usually no appraisal.

203(k) rehab loan

Finance the purchase and the renovations of a fixer-upper in a single FHA loan.

Cash-out refinance

Pull Louisiana equity out, up to FHA limits, for improvements or other needs.

Condo financing

FHA loans for units in approved Louisiana condo projects, or single-unit spot approval.

Stack down-payment help

Layer Louisiana assistance and gift funds on your FHA loan to lower your cash to close.

Frequently asked Louisiana FHA questions

What are the 2026 FHA loan limits in Louisiana?

Every Louisiana parish uses the same one-unit FHA limit of $541,287 in 2026, including the New Orleans metro (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany) and Baton Rouge. Two-to-four unit limits are higher.

How does insurance affect my Louisiana FHA loan?

Homeowner and flood insurance are the biggest swing factors in a Louisiana payment. FHA requires escrow for insurance and taxes, so we build realistic premiums into your pre-approval - and factor flood-zone elevation where it applies - so your approved payment holds up.

What is the minimum down payment on a Louisiana FHA loan?

3.5% of the price when your score is 580+, or 10% between 500 and 579. Gift funds and approved down-payment assistance can cover much of it.

Do FHA condos have to be approved in Louisiana?

Yes - the condo project needs to be FHA-approved, though we can pursue single-unit spot approval on many buildings. We verify your specific property.

Is FHA good for a first-time buyer in Louisiana?

It is often the best fit - low 3.5% down, a 580 credit floor, gift funds allowed, and it stacks with Louisiana Housing Corporation assistance for even less cash to close.

Are you an actual FHA lender?

Yes - CambridgeHomeLoan.com is a direct lender (NMLS #1826020) that has served homebuyers since 1998, guiding you from application through closing.

Start your Louisiana FHA loan

A few minutes online gets you pre-approved: 3.5% down, a 580 credit floor, and Louisiana down-payment help welcome. We have served Louisiana homebuyers since 1998.

Get Pre-Approved for a Louisiana FHA Loan

Fast, friendly, no obligation.

Get Your Free Quote! No Credit Pull Required.

Start My Application →

Serving Louisiana homebuyers Since 1998!
© 2026 CambridgeHomeLoan.com  ·  NMLS #1826020  ·  4830 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609  ·  (800) 826-5077  ·  Equal Housing Lender  ·  NMLS Consumer Access

Rates, terms, FHA loan limits and program guidelines are for 2026, subject to change, and depend on the property, credit and qualification. Not a commitment to lend. This is not a government agency. Equal Housing Lender.


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