People are under the confused notion that they need thousands 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 is a process to step you through the bascis of buying with absolutely no money out of pocket. This government program is approved by HUD and completely RESPA compliant.
Your first step is to 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 it’s time to start looking for your home. FHA limits have increased recently so you may be surprised how high you can go. In some areas (Los Angeles) FHA limits go up to $729,000. In most other areas the limit is $423,000. With values down all over the country this is an ideal time to buy.
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.
Go to closing and be AMAZED! The closing is not a time to fret and be worried. The closing is the finsh line - the CELEBRATION! If your Mortgage Consultant has done their job then all questions will have been answered. I’ve seen individuals walk away from closing with a 5.75% 30 year fixed rate mortgage, a few hundred dollars back to them and a new HOME! You can do it too. Don’t let the greatest buying opportunity of our generation go by.
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