Traditionally, people are often under the confused notion that they need a plenty number of dollars for a down payment on their dream home because of the problems in the mortgage industry. That is absolutely false! A HUD approved government program allows any buyer to take advantage of the amazing buyers market we are in and buy their dream home with No Money Down.
The following will walk you through how to buy a home with no money down and no money out of pocket using a government program (FHA) and a DPA.
first, you should get in contact with an Mortgage Planner that specializes in FHA and works with a DPA. DPA is short for down payment assistance program. One of the longest running and most used DPA's is the Nehemiah program. Nehemiah has assisted over 275,000 buyers and sellers since 1998. They are government approved and HUD compliant.
Get pre-approved for a DPA with a certified specialist. Credit need not be perfect to qualify. In fact, a score as low as 550 is acceptable for some FHA financing. The most important aspect of qualifying for the program is income verification. This program is for any buyer (first time or otherwise) of an owner occupied residence.
Now the fun part begins - looking for your new home. Due to current market conditions this is easier than ever. FHA limits have increased and typically they are around $423,000 for most areas. In certain areas, like Los Angeles county, they go as high as $729,000. These limits should give you plenty of flexiblity to buy your dream home.
Negotiate with your seller to participate in the DPA. The ZERO down home loan program requires the sellers participation to fund the closing costs and down payment. Fortunately, in this market environment sellers are more flexible than ever. The seller will be primarily concerned with his/her net from the sale. So many times your offer will be closer to the list price since you will be requesting a 7-10% contribution for down payment and closing costs.
Apply for a mortgage with a Certified Nehemiah specialist. Choosing the right specialist is an important step due to the complexity of Nehemiah and the FHA. An inexperienced "Broker" can cost you time and money and perhaps even cause you to lose your contract.
The requirements for qualifying are fairly simple. You will need your last two years of tax returns or W-2's. You will need to have your most recent paystub and 2-3 months of bank statements. If you are renting right now you will also need the last years worth of cancelled checks or a letter from the property manager.
Last but not least is your closing. Many people worry and sweat over this part but if everyone has done their job then it is smooth and seamless. By now all your questions have been answered and there should be no surprises. You know what you rate is, what the term is and how much money is required - ZERO! It's such a pleasure to see new homeowners walk away from closing with a low 6.0% fixed rate and their new home. don't miss this opportunity and let it pass you by.
