10 First-Time Homebuyer Grants and Programs
Shelling out big bucks for your first home, along with shopping for a mortgage, might seem daunting. Luckily, though, there are numerous first-time homebuyer programs and grants that can help you get your foot in the homeownership door.
FREE DOWNLOAD: The Ultimate Home Buyers Guide
Here’s a look at 10 first-time homebuyer programs that are popular with first-time house hunters:
1. FHA loan – A loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration that’s ideal for borrowers with lower credit scores or little money saved up for a down payment.
2. USDA loan – A loan program guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for lower-income borrowers in eligible rural areas.
3. VA loan – A loan backed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for military personnel, veterans and their families. VA loans have minimal closing costs, competitive rates and no down payment requirement, however, a funding fee is required for some borrowers.
4. Good Neighbor Next Door – A HUD program that provides housing aid — a discount of 50 percent on a home’s list price in revitalization areas — for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers.
5. Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac – Loans backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac require 3 percent down for conventional mortgages making them ideal for first-time buyers who have strong credit but little savings for a down payment.
6. HomePath ReadyBuyer Program – A program that provides 3 percent in closing-cost assistance to first-time buyers who complete an educational course and purchase a foreclosed Fannie Mae property.
7. Energy-efficient mortgage – An EEM is backed by FHA or VA loan programs and allows borrowers to combine the cost of energy-efficient upgrades onto a primary loan upfront — all without a larger down payment.
8. FHA Section 203(k) – An FHA-backed loan that lets you borrow the funds needed to pay for home improvement projects and roll the costs into one loan with your primary mortgage.
9. Local first-time homebuyer programs and grants – Many states and cities offer first-time buyer programs and grants for down payment or closing cost assistance. These programs typically come with income restrictions and have to be repaid when you sell the home.
10. Native American Direct Loan – Backed by the VA, this program provides direct home loans to eligible Native American veterans to buy, renovate or build homes on federal trust land.
YOUR TURN
Have you or someone benefited from a First-Time Homebuyer program? Add it to our list! Sound off on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter feeds. And don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly HOME ADVICEtm eNewsletter for articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. You may unsubscribe at any time.