Where do first time home buyers go for financing? First time home buyers have many choices for financing.
Due to the current economic conditions, a home buyer usually needs a down payment of at least 3% to get approved for financing. There are many instances today where buyers with even 20% or more to put down cannot get financing because they have less-than-stellar credit scores or their income has decreased over the past 2 years.
Thankfully, numerous states provide educational course for a small fee or even free! The educational courses consist of down payment assistance resources and basic financing options for first time buyers. A buyer’s agent will have enough knowledge of these programs to point a buyer in the right direction .
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, FHA, and RHA are also good alternatives for low-income buying programs.
Fannie Mae stands for Federal National Mortgage Assistance. In 1938, Congress created Fannie Mae. This program renders financial services and other choices for the families who cannot qualify for a home loan due to low- or mid-income levels .
Freddie Mac is the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. In order to sustain the money needed for mortgage lenders, Congress chartered Freddie Mac in 1970. Investors will buy residential loans that Freddie Mac has previously purchased. This raises the abundance of home loans and makes them more affordable.
HUD is the US Department of Housing and Urban Development,. The goal of this program is to strengthen communities and make homes more affordable in order to increase homeownership . Their Good Neighbor Next Door program gives teachers, firefighters, emergency responders, and law enforcement workers a 50% discount of the listed price of a home. Several agencies are part of HUD, and they assist families who have lower incomes to purchase or renovate homes.
There are buyer’s agents who specifically work with buyers of HUD homes. HUD encourages buyer’s to use exclusive buyer agents when looking for a new home. “If you want someone to represent only your interests, consider hiring an “exclusive buyer’s agent,” who will be working for you,” this quote came from HUD in their In Shopping For Your Home Loan – HUD’s Settlement Cost Booklet.
The FHA insured loan is a Federal Housing Administration mortage insurance backed loan that has been afforded by FHA-approved lenders. FHA insured loans are a form of federal assistance.
This program has helped low-income families, who would not be able to afford a home loan without borrowed money, obtain loans. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, this program was created as a form of substantial insurance fir the high-rate of foreclosures and defaults. Presently, it is used to assist people who are not able to afford traditional down payments and do not qualify for private mortgage insurance.
The RHA (Rural Housing Authority) makes direct loans to buyers, provides grants, and guarantee regular commercial loans for home buyers in rural areas. With a purpose of making rural America a more desirable place to reside, the USDA Rural Development program created this.
These are just some of the major first time home buyer financing alternatives! It is important to use a qualified professional to help buyers through the steps and keep buyers aware of their options. Buyer’s can find a buyer’s agent in their area who offers free consultations.
