Nehemiah 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 2020
The Nehemiah Program has helped over a quarter of a million Americans purchase homes. Unlike some down payment assistance programs, Nehemiah offers down payment help to anyone who qualifies for an approved FHA loan. There are no limits on income or assets, but buyers must have an FHA loan or be pre-approved for an FHA mortgage. The Nehemiah program offers:
- Up to 6% of the final contract sales price for down payment and/or closing costs.
- Available for first-time and repeat homebuyers.
- Approved for new construction and resale homes.
- No geographical restrictions.
As with most down payment assistance programs, these funds are not available for "second mortgage" or home equity loans; Nehemiah is intended to help people buy a new home. The process for applying for Nehemiah is similar to most other down payment assistance programs:
- Find a house and make the seller an offer.
- When the offer is approved, contact your loan officer.
- Tell your realtor you want to buy the home using the Nehemiah program.
- Your loan officer applies to the Nehemiah program on your behalf.
- Nehemiah down payment assistance will be sent before you close on the home.
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
March 16, 2020 - It’s easy to assume that a rate cut automatically equals a lower mortgage loan interest rate. But that is far from accurate and what the Fed did in cutting interest rates down to the zero range does NOT automatically translate into a lower home loan interest rate for you.
March 15, 2020 - There are times when mortgage rates are low, and there are times when rates fall so very low that even those in the lending industry contemplate their refinance loan options. Now is one of those times. It's a milestone well worth paying attention to.
March 12, 2020 - At the time of this writing, in the second week of March 2020, mortgage loan interest rates have taken a sharp turn upwards after hitting lows not seen in recent memory. FHA mortgage loan interest rates were, for a time, below the three percent zone.
March 10, 2020 - Finance blogs and mortgage rate watchers report that the week ending March 6 saw a massive surge in refinance loan applications; refinancing is at a rate not seen in well over a decade. Low mortgage rates coming as a result of investor reactions to coronavirus news.
March 9, 2020 - The last week of February 2020 was a remarkable one for mortgage loan interest rates. Much has been made of the economic effects of the virus that causes coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, according to the Centers For Disease Control.
