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To buy a home, and to receive down
payment / closing cost assistance, you will need to
qualify for an affordable first mortgage loan from a bank, financial
institution, or other mortgage lender.
The down payment / closing cost
assistance is provided in conjunction with our Gap Lender Program.
Very Low, Low and Moderate income
households can obtain an affordable first mortgage loan through our Gap Lender
Program. Our Gap Program is familiar to most local lenders and mortgage
brokers, and all lenders
and brokers are invited to participate.
Lenders should click
on this link for more information.
Conventional mortgages are
generally acceptable and many new homebuyers choose an FHA
mortgage that is insured through the federal government's Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD). FHA mortgages are affordable to low and
moderate income homebuyers and generally allow you to finance up to 96.5% of the
home purchase price and make a down payment as small as 3.5%.
Keystone can provide you with the
needed down payment and even more!
Current program assistance amounts are posted on our
Available Funds page.
Homebuyers generally can expect to pay 2-4% of the home's purchase price as
closing costs. You may also be eligible to receive up to $2,000 in
closing cost assistance to reduce your expenses.
Check with your local bank or
financial institution or a mortgage broker to get pre-qualified. If you
are unsure who to contact, ask friends or family for a referral. If you are
interested in finding an FHA lender, contact your
bank or financial institution or check the
yellow pages in your phone book. You can also visit the US Dept. of HUD
website at
http://www.hud.gov/initiatives/homeownership/index.cfm to obtain more
information and a list of participating lenders in your area. Tell your
lender you want to participate in Keystone's down payment assistance programs.
If your lender is not already familiar with our programs, ask them to visit this
web site, or call our
office at 863-682-1025.
When talking to a lender, make sure your first mortgage loan will meet the
following basic requirements:
The first mortgage loan must,
- Be a fixed interest rate loan at not more than 1% above the current 60-day
FNMA par pricing.
- Be fully amortizing for a term not to exceed forty (40) years.
- Not contain a pre-payment penalty.
- Not include a yield - spread premium.
(*New Requirement 1/2009)
- Not require unreasonable or unnecessary closing costs paid by the
borrower.
Other qualifying requirements will apply, and your lender will assist you.
Regardless of which first mortgage
lender you choose, you will probably need to meet some general
criteria established by the lender to obtain a first mortgage loan. This
criteria will vary somewhat from lender to lender but basically, you will need
to demonstrate that you have:
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A current steady and stable source of
income, and a history of stable income.
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A reasonably good credit history.
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The ability to afford the mortgage
payment.
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A reasonable level of other debt.
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Some savings of your own.
Plan to attend our
Homebuyer Education Class
anyway, even if you do not think that you are qualified to obtain a first
mortgage loan due to credit problems or other situations.
Many of the clients that have been
assisted by Keystone have experienced difficulties such as problems with credit.
We have worked with some clients for a period of 2-3 years after they have
attended a class before they purchased a home.
Assistance amounts are based on
your household income level, and the location of the property being purchased.
For more information view our
Assistance Amounts
page.
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