Quickdown 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
Quickdown is a program that works with non-profit agencies to provide down payment assistance. Homebuyers who benefit from Quickdown are those who qualify for approved or pre-approved FHA home loans. This program is designed for those who want to buy a home but are "cash challenged" and can't afford the down payment. Quickdown Homebuyers:
- Can't afford to purchase a home without down payment assistance
- Must use assistance funds for down payments only.
- Are often first-time homebuyers or those who can't qualify for a conventional mortgage.
Quickdown requires the seller's participation, but does not work in direct contact with the seller. Ask your loan officer and/or real estate agent on how to get a willing seller involved in the closing of a home purchased with an FHA loan with assistance from Quickdown. If you have found a seller familiar with Quickdown:
- Make an offer on the home you wish to buy.
- Once the offer is approved, contact your loan officer and ask about using the Quickdown assistance program for the down payment.
- Your loan officer applies to Quickdown on your behalf.
If you are interested in using Quickdown, your loan officer must file an application for pre-approval, so it's important to decide on using this down payment assistance program as early as possible to avoid delays in processing and getting your funds in time to close the sale using your FHA home loan.
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
September 18, 2023 - First-time homebuyers and experienced homebuyers who have never applied for an FHA mortgage may wonder whether they can use an FHA mortgage in certain situations. We examine some of the allowed and disallowed uses for an FHA mortgage in this article.
September 17, 2023 - Credit scores and what it takes to be approved for a mortgage are among the most frequently asked-about topics related to FHA home loans. What does Experian recommend a borrower do to better qualify for an FHA mortgage or any other type of home loan?
September 16, 2023 - Some think the question of buying a home in 2023 is absurd. They look at the high interest rates we see at press time compared to the rates available a year or two ago and wonder why anyone would purchase a home under current conditions.
September 15, 2023 - How much money should a first-time home buyer save for a down payment? It depends on the type of home loan you want, whether you want to avoid mortgage insurance, and whether your FICO scores are high enough to qualify for the lowest down payment.
September 12, 2023 - CBS News MoneyWatch published an article in the last days of August 2023 noting that mortgage rates are hovering in the 7% range, with no real end in sight to the higher interest rates reported at press time. This article lists some of the top ways you can get a lower mortgage rate.
