Home buyer assistance programs are readily available, but most home buyers do not know about them. Most are reserved for first time home buyers, there are many that apply to any real estate consumer. If you are planning a property purchase, here are a few useful information on assistance programs for MA buyers.
Program Criteria
Assistance programs for MA buyers are provided on both a national and community level. Approval is unique for each program, so there may be more than one for which you can qualify. Criteria might include monthly income, family size, property type, home location, or property condition. Some take into account special circumstances such as veteran status, disabilities, ethnicity, ownership of the property by certain entities, or affiliation with certain groups.
Methods of Assistance
Given that all assistance programs for MA buyers are unique, they also administer different methods of help for participants. Some programs will issue funds for closing fees and down payments. For some programs, repayment is not required if specific criteria is met. Some include lower rates or less stringent approval procedures. For properties requiring work, rehab mortgages are also an option.
Why These Programs Make a Difference
Many potential buyers qualify for a mortgage based on credit and earnings, but do not have enough funds on-hand for the up-front costs. These people then defer a home purchase in order to save up funds. During that time, mortgage rates and/or property prices may increase, making it even more challenging to buy. Programs that include down payment grants enable potential home buyers to buy now and benefit from todays market and rates.
Finding Assistance Programs For MA Buyers
All assistance programs for MA buyers are meant to allow more people to purchase homes. The real estate market usually drives the economy, so assistance programs will help improve the economy. Surprisingly, it may be challenging to locate some of these programs. To search for programs, go to DownPaymentResource.com. This website requests some basic facts to generate a report of programs that you should look into. You can subsequently call your mortgage consultant for additional information on certain options that you are interested in. Note that not all mortgage companies are approved to use these programs.