The Housing Action Resource Trust
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
The Housing Action Resource Trust or HART program is a non-profit housing organization offering help to home buyers who qualify for FHA "first mortgage" loans. A first mortgage does not mean "first-time home buyers only," but rather those who are getting the initial mortgage and not applying for a second mortgage or home equity loan.
Those who have pre-approval for an FHA loan or have an approved FHA loan qualify for HART. This program is aimed at those who have the right credit and employment to qualify for an FHA loan but lack the money for a down payment and/or closing costs. To use the Housing Action Resource Trust:
- Get an FHA-approved loan or pre-approval on an FHA loan.
- Find a house and make an offer.
- Tell your realtor you want to buy the home using the Housing Action Resource Trust program
- Contact your loan officer, who applies to the HART program on your behalf.
As with other down payment assistance programs, the seller must agree to participate in the HART program. Your loan officer will let you know when funds are scheduled to be transferred in your name for the down payment and/or closing costs.
If your seller has not signed up for the HART program but is willing to participate, ask your loan officer and/or realtor for details on how the seller may register with the House Action Resource Trust.
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 18, 2021 - 2020 was a newsworthy year for many important reasons, but for the housing market one of the biggest headlines involved volatility in mortgage loan interest rates for both government-backed mortgages like FHA loans and VA mortgages as well as for conventional lenders.
January 14, 2021 - Escrow accounts are used to hold the money you need to make a good faith deposit, pay property taxes, etc. The money is placed in the account and allowed to stay until the payment date. Escrow is basically a place to hold the money as it changes hands.
January 6, 2021 - First-time home buyers won’t notice, but some of the FHA loan paperwork typically dealt with during the home loan process is changing. The changes are part of a larger move dictated by something known as the Housing Finance Reform plan.
January 3, 2021 - If you are considering your first home loan, there are some great resources you should use in your planning and saving stage of the mortgage. No new borrower has all the information they need to buy a home at their fingertips in the early days.
December 30, 2020 - If you want to build a home on your own land or on land you buy in conjunction with your construction loan, you should know there are a variety of construction mortgages out there and not all of them are the same.
