Responsible Home Ownership
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 2019
The Responsible Home Ownership program is run by a non-profit organization called Community Housing and Development Corp. The Responsible Home Ownership program offers down payment assistance to low-income individuals who have steady income and good credit. You may qualify for this program if you meet the following criteria:
- You meet the low-income criteria for this assistance program.
- You are pre-qualified for an FHA home loan, or are approved for an FHA loan.
- You are purchasing a home in the United States (as opposed to "offshore").
- You purchase a "participating home".
The participating home requirement means the seller must sign the "Participating Home Agreement". Check with your loan officer and/or realtor to learn how to get your seller involved in this program if the seller is not already participating. Funds from this program can be used for both closing costs and down payments.
This down payment assistance program is much different than other programs in one major way; it is not limited to owner-occupied single family residences. The terms of this program allow down payment assistance for multi-family homes and even commercial purchases.
Some of the purchases you can make using down payment assistance from the Responsible Home Ownership program may fall outside the bounds of what you are permitted to buy with an FHA loan. Check with your loan officer if you have specific questions about your participation in this program using an FHA-approved 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
October 6, 2019 - There are several areas that can affect whether your dream home is able to be purchased or not and your FHA appraiser is the one tasked with determining if the issues below will interfere with loan approval or not.
October 5, 2019 - Those who have FHA mortgages should know that the basic policy of the FHA and HUD in natural disasters is that participating lenders should consider loan moratoriums, flexible loan modification plans, and other foreclosure avoidance measures.
September 30, 2019 - Do you need to refinance your home? There are some important steps you can take to help yourself get the best deal possible when trying to refinance. A bit of planning and preparation will go a long way toward helping you get the best rates and terms possible on your refi loan.
September 27, 2019 - In the earliest days of September 2019, mortgage loan interest rates were being reported in some circles as the best in three years. A week later, rates were suddenly pushing higher. Rates become more important when you are about to enter into a mortgage loan interest rate lock commitment with the lender.
September 25, 2019 - When a disaster strikes, it is crucial that FHA borrowers contact their lenders as quickly as possible in the aftermath to make arrangements for the existing mortgage. Yes, disaster-based home loan relief is possible, but it is not automatic and you must apply for this relief with your lender.
