First Time Home Buyer Incentives Programs And Grants

It can be a daunting task to buy a new home for the first time. There are many documents, and financial terms that you have to deal with. Besides, it is required for you to have some knowledge such as the fees and the costs. The longer process it takes, the more money you must spend. Luckily, there are some first-time home buyer incentives such as programs and grants that can help you deal with this issue. If you are a first-time homebuyer, you can be eligible to get financial help in various forms. Here are the grants and programs available for a homebuyer.

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First-Time Home Buyer Incentives Option

  1. FHA loan

Take this option if you want a big help to insure the mortgage. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) can be a helpful agency that works with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

What can they do? They insure the loan, and you as the lender can get a layer of protection. A lender will not experience any loss if you default on the mortgage. They also provide competitive interest rates, lower closing costs, and smaller down payment requirements compared to conventional loans.

You are eligible for a down payment of about 3.5 percent of the purchase price if you have a credit score of about 580 or higher.

Visit their official page to know the details about the program: https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/buying/loans

  1. USDA loan

You can take it as the second option. It is not too popular, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a homebuyer assistance program you can join with.

It can be one of your first-time home buyer incentives if you are looking for any program with a focus on residences in certain rural areas so you do not have to purchase or run a farm to make you eligible.

USDA guarantees the loan and they do not require any down payment. The loan payments are fixed. If you have about 620 or higher credit scores, you can get streamlined processing. However, there are income limitations, which are based on region.

Here is the official webpage, that you can visit to get more information about the program.

  1. VA Loans

VA, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs provides service members, where surviving spouses and veterans can purchase homes. They guarantee part of the loan so that it is possible for the lenders to get offer some features.

VA loans provide competitive interest rates. They do not come with down payment. You do not have to pay for private mortgage insurance. They also do not include a minimum credit score for your eligibility.

In case it is difficult to make payments on the mortgage, VA helps you to negotiate with the lender.

To get more details, you can visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/

  1. Good Neighbor Next Door

HUD funds the program to provide housing aid, especially for emergency medical technicians, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers.

By participating in this program, it is possible for you to get about 50% off the listed price of the home in some regions as the discount and the program known as revitalization areas.

By visiting the HUDHomes website (https://www.hudhomestore.com/Home/GNND.aspx), you can find some properties that are available in your specific state. However, you have to live in the home for about 36 months.

  1. Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac

Take it as your next option. The government as the sponsor presents Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They cooperate with local lenders to provide mortgage options for low- and moderate-income families.

With the help of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, lenders provide competitive interest rates as well as a down payment as low as 3% from the purchase price.

For first-time homebuyers, they can be eligible for home financing education programs. Fannie Mae provides the “HomePath Ready Buyers” program.

You can go here to get more information about Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

  1. Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)

It is a type of loan with the goal to help you add improvements to your home. It supports a more environmentally friendly concept. The federal government goes with the EEM loans. To support the loan, the government insures them through VA or FHA programs.

The benefit of this grant is it supports you to have an energy-efficient home without having a larger down payment. The amount rolled to the primary loan you have. There are some improvements to do for your home such as new insulation, a modern heating and cooling system, and double-paned windows.

  1. Federal Housing Administration 203(k)

In case you want to buy a fixer-upper, we recommend you have a 203(k) rehabilitation program as a solid choice.

FHA backs this type of loan. This loan involves the value of the residence after you are done with some improvements. It allows you to borrow the funds to go with the project and then include them in your main mortgage.

  1. Native American Direct Loan

The Native American Veteran Direct Loan program has been available since 1992. It has been helping many Native American Veterans as well as their spouses to buy homes on the federal trust lands. The lender is the VA.

It is possible if you are eligible. The eligible buyer does not have to make a down payment or even pay for private mortgage insurance. It works if you need a first-time homebuyer grant with the offer of low closing costs with a fixed-rate mortgage for about 30 years.

  1. Local Grants and Programs For First-time Homebuyers

There are some grants and programs available that the Federal government has created, but you still have some offers from states and cities.

There are some important things to do when it comes to purchasing a new home. It is recommendable for you to check your city or state’s website to get any information on housing assistance available in your living area.

Even it is good to consider contacting any real estate agent. On the other hand, call a local HUD-approved housing counseling agency to know more about grants and programs as your first-time home buyer incentives to support your situation.

PS: Again, for Moslem, please avoid interest rates!!

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