A State-by-State Guide to Down Payment Assistance
The home buying process is quite complicated, especially for first-time home buyers. Although a traditional mortgage usually requires you to have 20% down to qualify for the best rates, Federal Housing Administration and USDA Rural Housing Development loans, for instance, allow for lower down payments.
Check your state's Down Payment Assistance Programs
While the homebuying process can be a stressful situation, most buyers tend to struggle with down payment requirements. Fortunately, many states offer down payment assistance programs (DAPs) to help prospective buyers. Here's a short list of some programs offered by a variety of states.
Alabama
A person may receive up to 4% of their loan amount as down payment assistance in the Step Up program. Only FHA, VA, or HFA Advantage borrowers are eligible. Other requirements are necessary as well.
Alaska
Alaska's Affordable Housing Enhanced Loan program (AHELP) supplies borrowers with down payment assistance, but only for individuals who own one residence in the area.
Arizona
Arizona's Home+PLUS Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance Program provides renters with up to 5% of the total value of the home for down payment assistance.
Arkansas
The Arkansas Development Finance Authority's Down Payment Assistance Program supplies between $1,000 and $15,000 to help with the down payment as a second mortgage.
California
The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has the MyHome Assistance Program, which gives homebuyers 3.5% for the down payment for an FHA loan or 3% for a conventional mortgage.
Colorado
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) provides up to 3% for first mortgage loans for those who meet the income requirements. You may also take a second mortgage loan out for the down payment, and you may defer payments until after the home is refinanced, sold, or paid off.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority has a down payment assistance program where you can borrow up to $20,000 in assistance. The interest rates range between 1% and 1.5%.
Delaware
You may receive a no-interest loan from the Delaware Housing Authority. You may borrow between 2% and 5%.
Florida
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation provides up to $10,000 toward a downpayment for a conventional, FHA, USDA, or Veterans Affairs (VA) loan.
Georgia
Georgia residents may apply for the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, which gives up to $5,000 in down payment assistance. Public protectors and healthcare workers may qualify for up to $7,500.
Idaho
The Idaho Housing and Finance Association offers up to 10% as a second mortgage or forgivable loan.
Get Your Dream Home
While there are too many DAPs to list, consider visiting your state's housing finance agency for more information on any programs and assistance available to you.
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