Futures Home Assistance Program
Loan Assistance Programs Canceled in 2008
Elimination of Non Profit 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 2021
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:
SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus
Do you know what's on your credit report?
Learn what your score means.
FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
April 9, 2021 - The debt-to-income ratio is an important calculation for all borrowers--the more income you have compared to outgoing payments every month the better. So how do borrowers with a lot of debt deal with this problem? Learn about what the FHA considers to be a debt.
April 8, 2021 - There are some general FHA loan rules you should know in the planning stages of your new loan--rules that can help you decide what to do about saving up for a down payment or how to deal with closing costs. Knowing these rules can help you get much closer to home loan approval.
April 7, 2021 - The FHA Cash-Out refinance loan is a way home owners can tap into the equity built up in their homes and take it out in cash once the original loan and the closing costs of the new loan have been dealt with. There are many uses for the money you get in a cash-out refinance transaction.
March 31, 2021 - But the FHA mortgage loan program offers new purchase home loans for owner/occupiers with down payments as low as 3.5%. FHA loan applicants who don’t meet FHA and lender credit score minimum requirements may need to consider a 10% down payment.
March 30, 2021 - FHA home loans are for any financially qualified borrower. They are not limited to those in financial need and they are not restricted to first-time home buyers. However, there are some things you should DEFINITELY do ahead of your home loan and things you should NOT do.
