American Family Funds
Loan Assistance Program Canceled in 2008
Elimination of Nonprofit Down Payment Assistance: On July 30, 2008, President Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 which prohibits seller-funded DPA (Down Payment Assistance) for loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration. Prior to this bill, the seller could contribute up to 6% to the buyer to cover either a down payment or closing costs on an FHA loan. The changes took effect on Oct. 1, 2008. We provide this information for reference only. These grants are no longer available.
NEW: Down Payment Assistance Programs for 2023
American Family Funds (AFF) administers The Dove Foundation, a non-profit charity offering down payment and/or closing cost assistance to qualified American homebuyers. The program features:
- A simple application completed by your loan officer.
- No credit check.
- No income requirements.
- No limit on the amount of down payment assistance and/or closing costs.
Once you are pre-qualified for the FHA loan and find a property you want to buy, notify your loan officer, who will apply for the AFF down payment assistance on your behalf. Make an offer on the home that includes use of the AFF program.
- The seller must accept the terms of your offer.
- AFF provides the down payment money at the time of settlement.
- The money is applied to your down payment and/or closing costs.
- Typical down payments range between 3% and 6% of the contract price of a house, but individual terms may vary.
Ask your loan officer for details on American Family Funds, down payment assistance programs, or how to make an offer contingent on the use of the AFF program if you aren't sure how to proceed. AFF is only one of a wide variety of down payment assistance plans, be sure to explore all your options and find the program that meets your needs.
Down payment assistance programs generally require the seller to pay a fee to participate. This fee is considered a payment for services rendered and not a tax-deductible charitable contribution.
Since this program is no longer available, we recommend that you get pre-approved for a low down payment FHA home loan.
Discontinued Down Payment Grant Programs:
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
January 30, 2023 - Do you want to build a home from the ground up? You can do this with low down payment requirements with an FHA One-Time Close Construction Loan. And construction loan borrowing power has increased in 2023 because FHA loan limits have increased from the previous year.
January 25, 2023 - No matter what the condition of the housing market, there are some important things to remember when buying a home with an FHA mortgage. Are you anticipating some of the most common home buying mistakes? Here are some things to look out for.
January 23, 2023 - An interest rate buydown can temporarily lower the interest rate on a home loan; the USA Today example shows how a borrower could save $250 a month in the first year of home ownership using an interest rate buydown.
January 21, 2023 - Thinking about buying a fixer-upper with an FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Loan? Or are you considering a home improvement project financed with an FHA Cash-Out Refinance? You have a set of choices to make far beyond selecting a lender, deciding on the loan type and term, etc.
January 20, 2023 - HUD wants to give FHA borrowers a way to formally complain about appraisal bias when purchasing a home with an FHA mortgage. It’s called a Reconsideration of Valuation, and it’s part of a larger effort to end racial bias in the housing industry.
