Monday 18 September 2017

There Are Some Great Down Payment Assistance Programs Florida Residents Can Take Advantage Of

By Carolyn Stewart


Home ownership is a dream and goal for a lot of people. In today's economy it may seem like all available funds go toward paying bills, household expenses, and the needs of your children. Saving towards a down payment may be next to impossible, but several states are aware of the problem and have programs designed for those with limited incomes and decent credit. What follows is a brief description of some of the most popular down payment assistance programs Florida currently has available.

In certain counties, residents can take advantage of HHF, or the Hardest Hit Fund. This fund is designed to assist the citizens who have been most affected by recent economic downturns. This year Florida has a maximum allowance of fifteen thousand dollars for qualified buyers to use toward a down payment on a single family home, pre-approved condo, or town house. The qualifying loans are for thirty years at a fixed rate.

There are funds available through a conventional HFA preferred loan for any qualified person in the state. It will pay seven thousand five hundred dollars toward earnest money and closing. You cannot have a co-signer on the loan, and you must complete an education course on home buying. Discounted mortgage insurance is available with this loan. Foreclosure properties and new construction homes fall under the acceptable home loan guidelines.

There is a program called FHA with Florida Assist available for first time home buyers. The maximum assistance for this is also seventy-five hundred dollars. You have to attend and complete a home buyer course and must have a credit score of at least six hundred forty. You cannot get cash back at closing.

Even those with somewhat higher incomes can get assistance through the program called Conventional HFA Preferred Plus Loan. The first time home buyers qualification is waived for veterans. This program does not assist with a flat amount. Instead it gives purchasers a grant of three percent of the purchase price. Applicants have to attend and complete an educational course as with the other programs. Not all of the counties in Florida are included in this program.

There are grants available where the state will match every dollar a home buyer contributes with four dollars of its own. The buyers must put in at least a thousand dollars, and the state's maximum match is five thousand. Anyone in the state can apply. The matching money can be applied to the purchase of new construction, town homes, and foreclosures.

Law enforcement officers, military personnel, firefighters, and teachers can apply for special matching funds programs that will assist with as much as seven thousand five hundred dollars. Healthcare workers, other first responders, and veterans can also qualify. The property must be owner occupied, and the homer buyer must attend home counseling.

There are a number of other plans available. You can go online to find out more or contact the state directly. There is no charge for applying for the programs, and you are under no obligation to enter into any agreement with Florida.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment