Your Down Payment

Lots of people who are looking to buy a new house can easily qualify for various loan programs, but they can't afford a large down payment. Below are a few straightforward ways to put together your down payment

Slash your budget and build up savings. Be on the look-out for ways you can reduce your expenditures to save toward a down payment. You might also try enrolling in an automatic savings plan to have a portion of your pay automatically moved into a savings account. You might look into some big expenses in your spending history that you can give up, or reduce, at least temporarily. For example, you might decide to move into less expensive housing, or skip a family vacation.

Work a second job and sell items you do not need. Perhaps you can find a second job to get your down payment money. You can also get serious about the possessions you actually need and the things you can sell. Multiple small things might add up to a fair amount at a garage or tag sale. Also, you might want to think about selling any investments you own.

Borrow from retirement funds. Check the parameters of your retirement program. Some people get down payment money by withdrawing from their Individual Retirement Accounts or borrowing from 401(k) plans. You will need to make sure you know about any penalties, the way this will affect on your taxes, and repayment terms.

Ask for assistance from generous family members. First-time homebuyers somtimes get help with their down payment help from thoughtful family members who may be willing to help get them in their own home. Your family members may be eager to help you reach the goal of having your first home.

Research housing finance agencies. These types of agencies offer special loan programs for low and moderate-income borrowers, buyers with an interest in sprucing up a home within a targeted part of the city, and additional specific kinds of buyers as specified by the agency. With the help of a housing finance agency, you may be given an interest rate that is below market, down payment assistance and other advantages. Housing finance agencies can help you with a reduced interest rate, get you your down payment, and provide other advantages. These non-profit programs were established to boost community in certain areas.

Research no-down and low-down mortgages.

• Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage loans

  The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), plays a vital part in aiding low and moderate-income buyers qualify for mortgages. Part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD), FHA (Federal Housing Administration) aids homebuyers in getting mortgages. FHA provides mortgage insurance to the private lenders, ensuring the buyers are eligible for a loan. Down payment sums for FHA loans are smaller than those of conventional mortgages, even though these loans hold average interest rates. Closing costs may be financed in the mortgage, while your down payment might be as low as 3 percent of the purchase price.

• VA mortgages

  VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterens and service people can benefit from a VA loan, which generally offers a competitive rate of interest, no down payment, and minimal closing costs. While it's true that the mortgages aren't actually provided by the VA, the office verfifies borrowers by issuing eligibility certificates.

• Piggy-back loans

  You may fund a down payment with a second mortgage that closes along with the first. Most of the time, the piggyback loan is for 10 percent of the purchase price, and the first mortgage finances 80 percent. Rather than the traditional 20 percent down payment, the homebuyer just has to pull together the remaining 10 percent.

• Carry-Back loans

  In a "carry back" mortgage, the seller commits to lend you some of his home equity to assist you with your down payment money. The buyer finances most of the purchase price through a traditional mortgage program and borrows the remaining funds from the seller. Often, this type of second mortgage has higher interest.

The feeling of accomplishment will be the same, no matter which method you use to get together the down payment. Your new home will be your reward!

Want to discuss down payments? Call us at (707) 252-2700.