Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance
One of the most challenging parts of buying a home today is coming up with the money for the down payment and closing costs. A great way to make that more affordable is by using a down payment assistance program (DPA). These programs provide eligible homebuyers assistance to purchase a new home. The funds can be in the form of a grant, low-interest mortgage loan, or other incentives to help a buyer purchase a home.
Mortgage Equity Partners has partnered with many different states to help homebuyers. We also offer our own DPA program for all homebuyers. These programs are sometimes limited in funds or time periods so its important to contact one of our experienced loan officers that can tell you what is available in your area.
MEP Advantage Down Payment Assistance Program
Mortgage Equity Partners offers a down payment assistance (DPA) program to help homebuyers who may not be a great fit for state and local DPA and bond programs. We have partnered with a well-established lender to be able to provide down payment assistance through The National Homebuyer’s Fund, a DPA non-profit benefit corporation.
The MEP Advantage DPA Program is designed to increase homeownership opportunities for low-to-moderate-income homebuyers. The funds provided through this program can help subsidize the additional money needed for down payment and closing costs and may help turn homeownership dreams into reality, even for those facing financial constraints.
Our program has 2 options that provides 100% financing of a home’s sales price as per FHA guidelines. With an FHA loan requiring a down payment of 3.5% of the home’s sales price, the MEP Advantage DPA program can be used to cover the rest.
MEP DPA Option 1
Option 1 is a second lien with an interest rate equal to the first note rate plus 2%. It has a 10-year loan term but can be payable upon sale, refinance, or payoff. The total loan amount is 3.5% of the lesser of the sale price or appraised value.
MEP DPA Option 2
Option 2 is a second lien forgivable loan with an interest rate of 0%. The payments are deferred, and no interest accrues. This loan is forgivable after 10 years. The total loan amount is 3.5% of the lesser of the sale price or appraised value.
As you can see, this program is a great tool for homeowners in today’s market who want to buy a home but are being impacted by rising home prices and lack of disposable income for down payment and closing costs.
Additional features of the MEP Advantage DPA:
- The minimum FICO score for this product is 600.
- MEP does not require that the homebuyer be a first-time homebuyer, but homebuyer education is required by at least one occupying home buyer.
- The property types that can be purchased using this program include single-family residences (1-unit), duplexes, some manufactured homes (check with your loan officer on this), PUDS, Townhouses, and some condos (check with your loan officer on this). Note: MEP’s Advantage DPA program is not used on 3–4 unit properties.
Delaware State Housing
With the catchphrase “Kiss your landlord goodbye!” Delaware State Housing Agency (DSHA) keeps up to its goal by helping both first-time and repeat homebuyers. With their Welcome Home suite of programs they focus exclusively on first-time homebuyers offering qualified applicants several different resources (funding for some programs limited).
Initial qualifications for the Welcome Home suite of programs:
- MUST be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for this program.
- Minimum credit score of 620
- Purchase Price Limits for Single Family Homes (varies per county)
For applicants who exceed the income limits for Welcome Home, they offer the Home Again suite for first-time and repeat homebuyers:
- Minimum credit score of 620
- Purchase Price Limits for Single Family Homes (varies per county)
As with many state housing programs, there are a lot of options available and you may be more qualified than you think. If you want to buy a home but don’t think you have enough money for down payment, think again because we have people buying homes using the DSHA loan programs with very little money out of pocket. To learn more about these programs reach out to a qualified Delaware loan officer today!
Pennsylvania Housing
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) provides affordable mortgage financing to buy a home through a variety of programs. The program that is best for you will depend on your specific circumstances, such as your credit history and amount of cash savings, as well as your individual preferences.
What they offer:
- Home purchase and refinance options
- Closing costs and downpayment assistance
- Conventional, FHA, VA and RD loan types
- Competitive interest rates
- Energy efficiency and home repair loans
- Free homebuyer education
- PHFA services the loan for its full lifetime
As with many state housing programs, there are a lot of options available and you may be more qualified than you think. If you want to buy a home but don’t think you have enough money for down payment, think again because we have people buying homes using the PHFA loan programs with very little money out of pocket. To learn more about these programs reach out to a qualified loan officer today!