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.
Chenoa Fund®
The Chenoa Fund® is a national down payment assistance program provided by CBC Mortgage Agency and administered through authorized lenders like Mortgage Equity Partners. The program is designed to increase creditworthy borrowers’ access to homeownership. Based on their core belief that everyone deserves access to affordable housing, they offer Down Payment Assistance programs paired with FHA Loans to provide a 100% financing option.
Under the program, borrowers who meet eligibility requirements may receive a second mortgage to cover the minimum down payment of 3.5% when purchasing a home with an FHA loan.
Here is an overview of the Chenoa Fund®
Chenoa Fund® DPA For FHA loans offers one product with a repayable and forgivable option. For all products, the borrower will need to have a credit score of 600 or higher.
Repayable: This loan has a 10-year term with an interest rate matching the interest rate on the FHA first mortgage. This loan does require a monthly payment on the second mortgage.
Forgivable: This loan has a 30-year term with an interest rate of 0% (0% APR). This loan does not require a monthly payment on the second mortgage. Forgiveness is determined by the DPA amount:
- 5%: Forgivable after 36 consecutive, on-time payments on the FHA first mortgage. This forgiveness period resets if the borrower makes a late payment, but the borrower has the full 30-year term to meet the forgiveness conditions. This loan may also be forgiven at the end of the 30-year term if the previous forgiveness condition has not been met.
- 5%: Forgivable after the initial 120 consecutive, on-time payments on the FHA first mortgage. This forgiveness period is terminated if the borrower has a payment that is 60+ days late, but the loan will remain with a 30-year term, 0% interest rate (0% APR), and no monthly payment.
Both forgivable loan options may be forgiven at the end of the 30-year term if the previous forgiveness conditions have not been met, even if the borrower made late payments on the FHA’s first mortgage. If it is not already forgiven, the loan must be repaid upon transfer of ownership or refinance.
Florida Housing
Florida Housing’s First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program offers 30-year fixed rate FIRST mortgage loans to first-time homebuyers and qualified veterans in Florida.
This program uses income and purchase price limits to determine eligibility.
Potential borrowers must:
- Complete a Homebuyers Education Class
- Qualify for a Mortgage loan and a qualifying FICO Score
Florida Housing also offers down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a second mortgage loan to assist eligible homebuyers with their down payment and closing costs. Down payment assistance is only available when used in conjunction with Florida Housing’s first mortgage loan. Down payment assistance is NOT available as “stand-alone” down payment assistance. It is only available when used in conjunction with one of Florida Housing’s Homebuyer Programs.
The Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program offers eligible first-time homebuyers a nonrefundable Federal income tax credit which can be utilized with a lender’s first mortgage. The MCC reduces an eligible borrower’s Federal income taxes and, in effect, creating additional income for the borrower to use in making mortgage payments or other household expenses. Florida Housing’s Program offers a tax credit amount of up to 50%, based on the loan amount.
Contact one of our Florida Loan Officers to get started today!
MassHousing
MassHousing is a state and regional program that provides affordable mortgage options for the purchase of a 1-4 family home or condominium in Massachusetts.
Key features are:
- Affordable, fixed interest rates
- Flexible underwriting guidelines and income limits
- Loans are serviced by MassHousing
- Down payment assistance
- Options with and without Mortgage Insurance
- Mortgage Payment Protection with MI plus (protection that helps you pay your mortgage if you lose your job!)
- Rehabilitation/Renovation loans available
Contact one of our Massachusetts Loan Officers to get started today!
New Hampshire Housing
New Hampshire Housing promotes, finances and supports affordable housing for Granite State residents. One of the goals of NH Housing is to offer safe, fixed-rate mortgages.
New Hampshire Housing offers homebuyer programs for New Hampshire residents with incomes up to $128,900.
Loan options include:
- Home Flex which provides up to 3% of the base loan amount to help with down payments
- Home Preferred which is a conventional mortgage with 3% down and reduced MI rates
- Rehabilitation Mortgage Programs if you are buying a fixer-upper, you can add up to a $35,000 to your purchase mortgage with as little as 3.5% down to assist with repairs and upgrades.
- Home-Start Homebuyer Tax Credit makes homeownership more affordable for first-time homebuyers. The homebuyer tax credit can decrease the federal income taxes you owe, thereby boosting your take-home pay, which may help you qualify for a mortgage. It is an annual credit for the life of the mortgage.
- Home Preferred No MI provides you with conventional mortgage financing terms and not MI (Mortgage Insurance) option. No MI with as little as 3% down, (97% LTV).
Contact one of our New Hampshire Loan Officers to get started today!
