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Easing Your Way Into Homeownership: A Guide To Low Down Payment Mortgage Programs
There's no question about it: Buying a first home is a big financial commitment. In most cases, a home is the largest single purchase an individual or family will make in a lifetime. However, because of the tax advantages afforded to homeowners, buying a home also can be one of the best financial decisions you'll ever make. Problem is, many would-be homeowners remain renters simply because they mistakenly believe mortgage lenders require that buyers come up with 20 percent of the purchase price as a down payment. While it's true lenders feel it's less risky to work with buyers who are able to bring a substantial down payment to the table, the standard 20 percent requirement is fast becoming a relic of the past. In recent years, lenders have become more flexible in working with first-time homebuyers by creating a variety of special programs that require only a small down payment. These programs, combined with the most favorable interest rates in two decades, have encouraged growing numbers of renters to consider the tremendous benefits of home ownership. While the list of programs offered by individual lenders is too extensive to mention in detail, here are some common programs you are likely to come across as you work with your real estate agent to purchase your first home: Federal Housing Administration (FHA): FHS mortgages allow homebuyers to purchase a home with as little as a 5 percent down payment, and to finance all non-recurring closing costs. The current maximum loan amount in most urban markets is $151,725. In addition, borrowers are allowed to use up to 41 percent of their gross income toward paying mortgage debt - well above the ratio allowed under most private programs. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): VA mortgages allow veteran or active service personnel purchase home with no down payment, up to the current maximum price of $184.000. However, there is no purchase price limitation for buyers able to make a down payment. Like the FHA program, VA borrowers can put up to 41 percent of gross income toward their mortgage debt. Mortgage Revenue Bonds and Mortgage Credit Certificates: Mortgages funded with these instruments typically require a minimum of 5 percent down and have interest rates that are 1.5 to 2 percentage points below conventional 30-year fixed rates. These types of loans, offered by state and local housing agencies, are available only to first-time homebuyers. There generally are income and purchase price caps that vary, depending on where you plan to buy. Private Mortgage Insurance: Most major lenders offer privately insured mortgages, which generally require a 10 percent down payment (although some lenders offer loans with a 5 percent down payment to buyers with exceptional credit). These loans typically are not limited by maximum loan amount or purchase price limitation. Community Homebuyer Program: Through their networks of mortgage lenders, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) offer Community Homebuyer Program loans. These programs require a 5 percent down payment, 3 percent of which may be a gift. To further help buyers qualify, applicants may use 38 percent of their gross income. Currently, the maximum loan amount available through these programs is $203,150. Clearly, there are a lot of options for first-time homebuyers. While lenders will be more than happy to share information about their own programs, you can save yourself a good deal of time by first selecting a professional real estate agent who is experienced in working with first-time buyers in the areas where you plan to buy. An agent who focuses on first-time buyers will know from experience which lenders in your area offer a low down payment program that will meet your unique needs. Today, taking the first step toward owning your own home is easier than before. Your real estate agent is your best resource for finding innovative ways to help you come up with a down payment and qualify for financing. There's certainly no need to wait until you've saved a 20 percent down payment! About The Author W. Troy Swezey is the author of "EASING YOUR WAY INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP: A GUIDE TO LOW DOWN PAYMENT MORTGAGE PROGRAMS." As a Realtor at Century 21 Paul & Associates, he has helped many individuals with their real estate needs. Visit his web site to download his free e-book, "REAL ESTATE SECRETS EXPOSED." http://www.TroyIsMyRealtor.com or mail to: TroyC21@usa.net
MORE RESOURCES: Refined Real Estate: Unique Leschi home with lake views lists for $1,395,000 seattlerefined.com Coloradans negotiating lower fees for real estate agents with new law on horizon Colorado Public Radio Real estate mogul cautions about avoidable mistake when buying a home, explains how to avoid 'drowning' Fox Business Massachusetts real estate transactions for Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties May 19, 2024 edition MassLive.com Real estate transfers: May 17, 2024 RiverheadLOCAL London Real Estate Is About to Get the ‘Selling Sunset’ Treatment Hollywood Reporter Real Estate Newsletter Articles this Week: Housing Starts Increased to 1.360 million Annual Rate in April Calculated Risk Mid-May Greenwich Real Estate Market Report Greenwich Sentinel Should I Buy a House Now or Wait Until 2025: Expert Forecast Norada Real Estate Investments Dodge County Real Estate Transfers Fremont Tribune The Michael Houck Real Estate Guide for May 19 Oil City News Washington state ahead of the game as lawsuit rewrites real estate commission rules The Business Journals MCB Real Estate Revives Long-Awaited Viva White Oak Mixed-Use Project Source of the Spring STAR resource center Department of Taxation and Finance Yes, there are other coastal Delaware towns besides Rehoboth Washington Blade Revolution in real estate: How the NAR settlement is changing the game Eden Prairie Local News Dutchess County, NY real estate 2024: What's on the market for $579K Poughkeepsie Journal Baltimore real estate: 4 waterfront condos for sale The Baltimore Banner Real Estate Briefs: Lakeside homes, news condos, and more news Rough Draft Atlanta Home Prices Hit Record Highs in April 2024: Trends & Forecast Norada Real Estate Investments Innovative Leaders Vanderstraaten and Rohrman Inducted into North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame ... dallasinnovates.com REAL ESTATE | UPDATE | Johnson Bus selling lot for new West Bend Fire Department No. 1 washingtoncountyinsider.com VIDEO | REAL ESTATE | Construction finally underway for Taco John's in West Bend, WI washingtoncountyinsider.com Oceanport's Denholtz recognized by commercial real estate organization themonmouthjournaleastern.com Routt County real estate sales at $17.6M for May 9-15 Steamboat Pilot & Today James Quinn's Data Center Advisory Expertise at JLL Drives Innovative Real Estate Solutions for Global Corporations Markets Insider Real Estate Mogul Grant Cardone Closes Largest All-Cash Multifamily Deal In South Florida This Year Yahoo Finance Here are recent property transfers up to $1.28 million St. Albans Messenger Westmoreland County Real Estate Transfers | Real Estate | latrobebulletinnews.com latrobebulletinnews.com China Says It Will Start Buying Apartments as Housing Slump Worsens The New York Times Robert Willett may be targeting female Realtors in Northeast Ohio Akron Beacon Journal Number of homes for sale in Metro Atlanta increased significantly, real estate brokerage says – WABE WABE 90.1 FM OT Real Estate Spotlight of the Week: 2115 Sheridan Place The Owensboro Times What's real estate wellness? Fortune Connecticut real estate law changed after MV Realty investigation Eyewitness News 3 Billionaire Frank McCourt raises his hand to buy TikTok Business Insider Connecticut real estate law changed after MV Realty investigation Eyewitness News 3 Ellison sues real estate broker Chad Banken over alleged schemes involving contracts for deed Star Tribune Local couple buys Pat Burrell's former Center City penthouse for 38% under original asking price Philadelphia Business Journal My Co-op Neighbor Never Pays His Maintenance on Time. Can We Make Him? The New York Times Top Workplaces: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Base Camp wins second for small company Richmond Times-Dispatch Bienville Realty: Commercial real estate Fox 10 News Navigating Northern Virginia Real Estate: An Insight Into Rhonda Campbell's Bespoke Approach Grit Daily Letter: Clarifying changes to real estate industry Morgan Hill Times ACRES 2024 showcases innovative real estate projects focused on enhancing environmental sustainability Malaysia Sun Home listings are on the rise in southern Colorado, while other indicators show a slowing real estate market Colorado Public Radio Southern fast-food chain Cook Out buys Tampa real estate Tampa Bay Business Journal Did Fort Worth’s real estate market really ‘bottom out’? | Fort Fort Worth Star-Telegram New Rules for North Texas Real Estate Agents Creates Uncertainty Dallas Observer Sean Bloom Investments Announces $2B Real Estate Project in Las Vegas InvestorsObserver EG Real Estate: 18 Opens This Weekend – East Greenwich News East Greenwich News China's rush to prop up housing sector comes with eye on third plenum: analysts South China Morning Post Busch relative settles squabble with Clayton investors over real estate trust St. Louis Post-Dispatch LOCAL REAL ESTATE TODAY 5.17.24 – KQEN News Radio kqennewsradio.com Shaping the Future of Real Estate Technology RisMedia.com End of war against property speculators marks new phase in China housing South China Morning Post Housing Market 2024 Predictions Bankrate.com KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (NYSE:KREF) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts Defense World Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:NXR) Forecasted to Earn FY2024 Earnings of $0.73 Per Share Defense World Real Estate Transactions for May 18-19 | News, Sports, Jobs Nashua Telegraph |
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