On July 30, 2008, President Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 which prohibits seller-funded down payment assistance. Historical program information is only provided for reference on this website.

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Family Home Providers Program

Loan Assistance Programs 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 2024

Family Home Providers is a non-profit affordable housing company offering down payment assistance to any family with steady employment and good credit. Under the Family Home Providers plan, those with an FHA loan are eligible for 3% of the final contract price of the home purchased with the FHA approved loan. Under this program:

  • The buyer makes an offer on an FHA qualified home.
  • The home must appraise for the sales contract price (or more).
  • Buyer and Seller must apply for the program.
  • Funds are intended for down payments. The seller pays closing costs.

One business day before closing on the home, Family Home Providers will wire the money to the closing agent. Your loan officer can set up a homeowner's insurance policy for your new home and open an escrow account, and you can close the deal.

Under the Family Home Providers down payment assistance program, your out-of-pocket costs for the down payment and/or closing costs should be under $1,000. Talk to your loan officer if you think you need to lower this amount. The loan officer can give you advice for saving the extra money, or re-arranging the closing terms to absorb some of the additional costs into your FHA loan where permitted. You may not be able to absorb all the closing costs of an FHA mortgage, ask your loan officer what rules may apply to you.

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.

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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News

Buyer Risks When Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop

April 29, 2024 - U.S. News and World Report published an article in April 2024 that included data from a U.S. News survey of American mortgage trends this year. In that survey, nearly 70% of house hunters who responded say they are waiting for home loan interest rates to fall before buying a house this year.

Better to Buy a Home with Cash or an FHA Mortgage?

April 28, 2024 - Buying in cash does not necessarily mean you will get a big discount on the house. It’s all the same to the seller, who gets their money, either way. In more competitive housing markets, the cash offer is more appealing to some because it may work faster than dealing with a lender.

The State of Mortgage Rates in Q2 2024

April 26, 2024 - During the second quarter of 2024, 30-year fixed-rate FHA mortgage rates were listed in the low 7% range, a place many hoped would be in the rearview mirror by now. What do respected market watchers say about the current state of the housing market regarding mortgage rates?

Where not to Buy Your Home

April 24, 2024 - Finding or building your dream home means paying attention to many important details. Is the house you want large enough to live in for 5 to 10 years without outgrowing it? Is your house close enough to essential services like child care or school?

Elevated Risks for FHA Mortgage Borrowers?

April 21, 2024 - Are home loans riskier in 2024 due to elevated potential for scams and fraud? Fraud prevention company Funding Shield reports high fraud vulnerability in roughly half of all portfolio loans, including residential mortgages, in the first three months of 2024.