People are under the confused notion that they need thousands of dollars for a down payment on their dream home because of the problems in the mortgage industry. That is absolutely false! A HUD approved government program allows any buyer to take advantage of the amazing buyers market we are in and buy their dream home with No Money Down.
Here is a step by step process to BUY a home with ZERO down payment and ZERO out of pocket expenses using an FHA approved mortgage and time tested principles.
You must first find an expert Mortgage Consultant that’s familiar with FHA and working with a DPA. DPA is short for down payment assistance program. The most popular DPA is the Nehemiah program. Nehemiah has been in existence since 1998 and has assisted buyers with gift funds of over $1 Billion (yes a “B”). They are completely government approved.
Now you will need to get pre-qualifed for a DPA with a certified DPA specialist. Most people are concerned about credit with a no money down program but credit does not need to be perfect. Credit scores can be as low as 550 to qualify. FHA is primarily concerned with the borrowers ability to repay. So they will be focused on the income verification and will look at your last 2 years of income verification. Any owner occupant is eligible for this program.
Now the fun part begins - looking for your new home. Due to current market conditions this is easier than ever. FHA limits have increased and typically they are around $423,000 for most areas. In certain areas, like Los Angeles county, they go as high as $729,000. These limits should give you plenty of flexiblity to buy your dream home.
Now your realtor must begin the negotiations with the seller. The sellers assistance is vital. They must participate in the DPA by funding the closing costs to you and down payment to Nehemiah (or whatever DPA you choose). The seller will be required to contribute 7-10% to you through Nehemiah and closing costs. Expect to offer closer to the list price of the property since you are requesting a large contribution. The seller is generally concerned with how much they are walking away with so the contribution is not important to them.
Apply for a mortgage with a Certified Nehemiah specialist. Choosing the right specialist is an important step due to the complexity of Nehemiah and the FHA. An inexperienced “Broker” can cost you time and money and perhaps even cause you to lose your contract.
The requirements for qualifying are fairly simple. You will need your last two years of tax returns or W-2’s. You will need to have your most recent paystub and 2-3 months of bank statements. If you are renting right now you will also need the last years worth of cancelled checks or a letter from the property manager.
Now it’s time to celebrate! The closing is the simpliest part - if your realtor and mortgage planner have done their jobs. There should never be any surprises and all your questions should have already been answered. It is amazing to see clients walk away from closing with a 5.8% Fixed rate mortgage and a new home - all with no money down! Anyone can do it, even you. Don’t miss out on the greatest buyers market of our generation.