Ten First-Time Homebuyer Grants & Programs in 2023

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The typical U.S. home buyer will save for a down payment 7 years in advance. It's not a good idea to delay buying a home, especially as rents rise and life becomes more expensive.

If you're ready for buying, you should be able and willing to buy. Special programs for first-time buyers, such as first-time home buyer grants, can help you realize your American Dream sooner.

Let's examine the grants and programs for first-time homeowners that might be available.

First-Time home buyer grant programs and assistance with down payment

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is a First Time Home Buyer Grant?

A grant specifically for first-time home buyers is designed to make new homeowners across the nation. The federal, state and local governments all award grants. There are also charitable and housing foundations across the country.

Grants do not require repayment, as the grant recipient is performing a public benefit. The public good of homeownership is the goal for first-time buyers.

The U.S. economy's keystone is home ownership because homeowners:

All shapes and sizes of neighborhoods can be stabilized

All communities should prosper

Families can create wealth generationally

Government research shows that $10,000 grants for first-time buyers can increase homeownership by 34%. Therefore, it is no surprise that Congress introduced eight bills, including the LIFT Act, to encourage grants and tax credit for first-time buyers.

A rising homeownership rate is a better economic thing.

What First-Time Home Buyer Grants are There?

1. The $25,000 Downpayment to Equity Program – Expected in 2023

Congress introduced a bill titled the Downpayment Toward Equity Act in 2021. It provides a home buyer grant for the first generation, and extra grant money to renters who are economically or socially disadvantaged.

The Downpayment towards Equity Act grants renters up to $25,000 to help them buy their first home. Grants can be used to cover closing costs, make a downpayment or lower your mortgage interest using discount points.

Find out if you are eligible for the $25,000 Grant.

2. National Homebuyers Fund

The National Homebuyers Fund (a non-profit, public benefit corporation) is a not-for-profit organization. It can sponsor first-time or repeat homebuyers with up to 5% of a home’s purchase price.

First-time buyers are eligible to use the program along with conventional, FHA and VA loans. It also forgives the loan for five years. You can only apply for the National Homebuyers Fund grant through your mortgage company. Renters cannot apply directly. For a list of participating lenders, please call (916) 413-3967

Pre-approval is the initial step in the grant application process.

3. State and local government grants

Housing grants may be offered by state or local governments to qualified first-time homeowners. Start at $500 for a grant. The money can be used to cover closing costs, mortgage rate reductions, or down payments.

A lot of local housing grants require that buyers meet minimum credit standards and have a household income in a certain, lower-income bracket.

Find your municipality's web site, search for housing assistance or grants, and then check your local program requirements.

Find out if your qualifications are here.

4. Homebuyer Cancelable Mortgage

My-Down Payment offers a forgivable loan that acts as a grant. Approved buyers are eligible to receive cash as a down payment up to 5% of the purchase price. There is no interest or repayment required.

My-Down Payment does not offer a mortgage that is forgivable. The minimum requirements for eligibility are that the recipients have average credit ratings and can qualify for an FHA loan. They also need to agree to take a 30-year fixed-rate Mortgage. A 1-hour educational seminar online may also be required.

Find out if you are eligible for a forgivable mortgage.

Get preapproved for a mortgage now.

Get my preapproval

What is the First-Time Buyer Program?

People who have never previously owned a home are eligible for first-time home buyer programs. These programs, which are similar to first-time buyer grants, typically come from the federal government, state governments, or local governments. They can be found as closing costs assistance, down payment assistance, forgivable mortgages, tax credits or forgivable mortages.

What are the Different Types Of First-Time Homebuyer Programs?

1. Conventional Mortgages with Low Down Payment

Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac has four programs that are suitable for first-time homebuyers. These programs offer low down payment options and credit requirements.

Fannie Mae HomeReady: This 3 percent down payment mortgage comes with a minimum FICO score of 620. HomeReady loans are available to buyers looking to purchase a HomePath house. They also get a $500 closing credit. HomePath Ready buyers can qualify for a 3% cash donation towards closing costs or the mortgage.

Home Possible: This mortgage with a 3 percent downpayment requires a minimum FICO score of 660. Freddie Mac backs Home Possible.

Conventional 97 Mortgage: The Conventional 97 mortgage, which is backed Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, requires a 3% downpayment and a 620 minimum credit score.

Pre-approve to determine if these programs are right for you.

2. Government-backed Mortgages with No or Low Down Payment

These government-backed mortgage loans allow first-time home buyers to choose from a variety of financing options, including low down payments or zero credit scores.

FHA Mortgage: These mortgages are available with a 3.5% downpayment and a minimum FICO score 580.

USDA Mortgage: This mortgage is available in areas with lower density, such as the suburbs or rural areas. First-time buyers don't need to pay a downpayment and must have a minimum score of 620.

VA Mortgage: VA loans provide 100% financing for military veterans, active-duty service members, and spouses who have survived.

Now is the time to get pre-approved

3. Mortgages Assistance for Down Payment

Mortgages that provide down payment assistance are loans that can replace a homebuyer's traditional cash downpayment with borrowed money at favorable terms.

Access to money for down payments at below-market rates is one type of downpayment assistance. Home buyers are able to borrow money at 1 percent from a Bank with a ten-year repayment period.

A deferred loan mortgage is another type of assistance to homebuyers.

A deferred mortgage allows you to borrow money without having to repay it. Only when you sell or refinance your home do you repay the deferred loan.

Let's say, for example that you borrow $25,000 to pay down a deferred-mortgage mortgage. Then, you decide to sell your home within five years since the house's value has increased by two-fold. You will pay the $25,000 loan amount back to the lender at closing. The rest of the profit you keep for yourself.

Down payment assistance mortgages can usually only be obtained through local foundations and municipalities. These loans are usually only available to first-time homebuyers whose income is below the area average and whose credit history includes a track record of making on-time payments. Learn more about downpayment assistance programs.

You can find out if your eligibility here.

4. Forgivable Mortgages

Forgivable Mortgages are loans for down payment that lenders can erase after a buyer meets specific time-based conditions.

For an example of the way forgivable mortgages work let's suppose a first-time purchaser uses a forgivable loan to make his $15,000 down payment.

If the buyer is still living in the home after five years and has paid the primary mortgage according to agreement, their lender will write-off the second $15,000 mortgage without interest or payments. The lien is removed from the title and the loan is cancelled.

Forgivable Mortgages are a popular option for municipalities and communities. They encourage long-term homeownership, community involvement, and community investment. You've probably seen forgivable loans in action if you've ever been to a city that pays people to move there.

My-Down Payment offers an instant mortgage application that will instantly grant a nationwide mortgage with a forgivable interest rate.

5. First-time home buyer tax credit

Tax credits are dollar-for–dollar tax reductions for specific consumer behaviors such as buying a home or purchasing a first house.

Tax credits are available to home owners and buyers through the IRS. The IRS also offers mortgage interest tax deductions. However, buyers of homes may also receive additional tax benefits from the federal and state governments on an ongoing basis.

Installing solar panels can help reduce the strain on the local power grid, so home buyers could get tax breaks. In 2009, the overwhelming supply of homes on sale was offset by tax credits that allowed first-time homeowners to receive up to $8,000 in tax credits to purchase their first property.

Congress is currently considering a tax credit similar to the one for home buyers. A $15,000 tax credit is proposed for first-time buyers. It retroactively applies to December 31, 2020. It can subtract up to $15,000 from home buyer's tax liability.

You can check your eligibility here.

6. Closing cost assistance programs for home buyers

Closing cost assistance plans are home buyer stimulus programs that pay 100% of the buyer’s purchase closing costs. These include title expenses, transfer taxes and mortgage fees.

Homebuyers typically apply for closing cost assistance through the local housing agency. On the National Council of State Housing Agencies site, you can search for your state’s housing agency. The minimum quality standards must be met by both the buyer and the homeowner.

Closing cost assistance programs are targeted at lower-income homeowners with average credit scores.

Pre-approval is the first step in obtaining closing cost assistance.

Chat Frequently Asked Question

How can you afford to buy a home?

For home buyers who do not have enough money to pay a downpayment, housing grants, downpayment assistance, or forgivable mortgages can be used to buy a home. Certain home buyers may be eligible for 100% mortgages.

Find out more about buying a home without any money.

What is an NHF Grant?

NHF grants are housing grants for first-time buyers. They are awarded by the National Homebuyers Fund. Housing grants can be up to 5% of a home’s purchase price.

Which loan is best for first time home buyers?

To purchase their first home, the majority of first-time homeowners use 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. However, this doesn't mean that it is the best loan. Mortgages don't fit everyone. Get pre-approved by your lender and get advice from them on the best mortgage loan for you.

Find out more about our first-time homebuyer tips.

Check out our other tips for first-time homebuyer.