First-Time Home Buying Tips and Programs

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may be able to take advantage of special government programs to help lower your costs.

Regardless of the type of mortgage you select, there are a variety of important tips to consider when buying your first home.

Owning a home is part of the American Dream. To make that dream a reality, both the federal and state governments have created special programs to help first-time homebuyers get into a house of their dreams, or at least one they can afford. Here are some of the federal and state agencies that are making homeownership more affordable:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offer several programs to help homeowners afford their home:

• HUD’s Good Neighbor Next Door Program: If you are a police officer, pre-K through 12th-grade teacher, emergency medical technician or firefighter, you may qualify for a substantial discount (up to 50%) on your home.
• HUD’s Public Housing Resident Program: If you are currently a resident of public housing, you may be able to convert your rent to a mortgage with this program.
• FHA Loans: HUD oversees the FHA, which offers a first-time homebuyers program that can help lower your down payment (starting at just 3.5%), lower your closing costs and help you qualify.
• Habitat for Humanity Home Application: For those willing to actively participate in building their new home with other volunteers, consider applying to live in a Habitat home. 

In addition to federal programs, many states also offer special help to homeowners. HUD lists out these resources by state, so you can look up what may be available where you live or where you may be relocating to.

Besides special programs, there are a lot of tips that first-time homebuyers should consider:

• Separate your wants versus needs: Just because you want a pool doesn’t mean you need a pool. Learn more about how to decide which things you can’t do without and those that you can wait for.
• Figure out how much home you can afford: A great place to start is our mortgage calculator to get a high-level estimate of what your mortgage payment may be. Remember to account for taxes, PMI, your down payment, closing fees and home insurance. Fannie Mae recommends spending only 28% of your income on your home, but ultimately you need to decide what makes you comfortable. Remember: a house payment that stresses you financially doesn’t make for a feeling of security.
• Don’t forget about closing costs: It’s a good idea to get an understanding of how much you’ll need to set aside to close on your new home. Closing costs vary by state, so do some research about your area.
• Gather your paperwork: Applying for a mortgage involves a fair amount of paperwork. Reach out to one of our loan advisors to get an explanation of what you will need.
• Get your credit in line: It’s a great idea to pull your free annual credit report if you are in the market to buy a home because the higher your credit score, the better the chance that you will receive a lower interest rate on your home loan. Find out if there are any errors in your credit report and take the time to resolve any issues.
• Find out if you qualify for any tax breaks: In addition to federal and state programs for first-time and prospective homebuyers, there are several tax credits you may be able to take advantage of, like the mortgage interest credit, energy efficiency credits and lower-income housing credits.

Want to learn more about buying your first home or get pre-qualified? Contact us at First American Bank to set up an appointment or speak to a loan advisor.