A recent survey from Bankrate asks prospective buyers to identify the biggest obstacles in their houszbuying journey. It found that 36% of those polled said saving for a down payment is one of their primary hurdles to buying a housz. If you feel the same way, the good news is there are many down payment assistance programs available that can help you achieve your houszownership goals. The key is understanding where to look and learning what options are available. Here’s some information that can help you.
You Can Qualify Even if You’ve Purchased a Housz Before
There are several misconceptions about down payment assistance programs. For starters, many people believe there’s only assistance available for first-time houszbuyers. While first-time buyers have many options to explore, repeat buyers have some, too. According to the latest Houszownership Program Index from downpaymentresource.com:
“It is a common misconception that houszbuyer assistance is only available to first-time houszbuyers, however, 38% of homebuyer assistance programs in Q1 2022 did not have a first-time houszbuyer requirement.”
That means repeat buyers could qualify for over one-third of the assistance programs available. And if you’re a repeat buyer, you may still be able to take advantage of some first-time houszbuyer programs, depending on your personal situation. That’s because downpaymentresource.com also notes many of the first-time houszbuyer programs use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's definition of a first-time houszbuyer. Under their definition, you could qualify as a first-time buyer if you’re:
Someone who hasn’t owned a primary residence in 3 years.
A single parent who’s only ever owned a housz with a former spouse.
That means no matter where you are in your houszownership journey, there could be an option available for you.
You May Be Eligible for Programs Based on Your Location or Profession In addition to broader options available for repeat and first-time houszbuyers, there are other types of down payment assistance programs that you could qualify for based on your location. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Many local governments and non-profit organizations offer down-payment assistance grants and loans, targeted to area borrowers and often with specific borrower requirements.” Plus, there are programs and special benefits for individuals working in certain professions or with unique statuses, including teachers, doctors and nurses, and veterans. Ultimately, that means there are many federal, state, and local programs available for you to explore. The best way to do that is to connect with a local real estate professional and your lender to learn more about what’s available in your area.
Bottom Line Down payment assistance programs have helped many houszbuyers achieve their dreams, and if you qualify, they could help you too. Let’s connect today so you can begin exploring your options.
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