Obtaining A Mortgage

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Info for Homebuyers      

Buyer Income Limits       

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Obtaining A Mortgage      

Assistance Amounts      

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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.

  •  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.

  • Qualifying for a Mortgage Loan

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:

  • A current steady and stable source of income, and a history of stable income.

  • A reasonably good credit history.

  • The ability to afford the mortgage payment.

  • A reasonable level of other debt.

  • Some savings of your own.

  • What If I Don't Think I am Qualified for a Mortgage Loan?

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.

  • How Much Assistance Can I Get?

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.

 

The Meeker family moves in to their new home in Auburndale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     View and Print our Down Payment Assistance Programs Brochure

You will need Adobe Reader 5.0 or later to view and print the brochure. If you do not have Adobe Reader 5.0 or later, you can download it for free by clicking on the link below.

 

 

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Last modified: 02/22/10

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