There are national non-profit organizations
dedicated to assisting homebuyers with their down payment and closing costs.
Buyers can receive a free gift under these
programs. Gift amounts vary with each program but are generally available in
amounts of 3% with some programs, all the way up to $22,500 with others.
Buyers never have to repay these gifts.
It's easy to receive a free gift from
these programs, however qualification guidelines do vary with each program.
Each program requires that buyers must qualify for any eligible loan program
with their lender (there are many programs that qualify).
While this is the ONLY qualifying
requirement of some programs, others have requirements such as requiring
that the buyer complete a Home Ownership Counseling Course or provide 1% of
their own funds into the transaction. In addition some programs have
income/asset restrictions, recapture clauses, reserves required, or
geographic boundaries. Each program can provide you with their specific
requirements and/or limitations
These programs generally participate with
FHA, Conforming, and Non-Conforming loan products. Most of these programs do
not underwrite the loan or add any cost in the form of points, fees, etc.,
they simply provide the gift for the down payment and/or closing costs.
These downpayment assistance programs can
be used for Single Family (1-4 unit) homes, Manufactured/Modular Homes,
Condominiums, Townhouses, Existing or New Construction, Rehab and
Non-Conforming.