Futures Home Assistance 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 2023
Futures Home Assistance is a non-profit charity group offering a free down payment gift up to 6% of the closing costs of a home purchased with an FHA loan. The mission statement of Futures Home Assistance includes the belief that people who dream of owning a home should not be hindered because of a lack of down payment funds.
The application process for the Futures Home Assistance program is similar to many other charity groups offering down payment assistance:
- Apply for an FHA home loan or pre-approval for an FHA loan.
- Find a home and make an offer.
- The seller must agree to participate in the Futures Home Assistance program.
- Once the offer is approved, contact your loan officer.
- Your loan officer applies on your behalf for the Futures Home Assistance down payment assistance.
For those with approved FHA home loans, Futures Home Assistance usually responds to your loan officer's request within 24 hours. Once you are notified of approval your loan officer will tell you how long until your down payment gift funds are available. In some cases, more than the standard 6% down payment assistance amount may be available. Ask your loan officer whether you are eligible to receive more than 6% through this program.
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.
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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.
