The Ultimate Guide to Down Payment Options: Making Home Ownership More Affordable

Posted by Matt Weaver

Introduction
Hello everyone! I'm Matt, your trusted mortgage guy. Are you eager to learn more about the multiple avenues available to make your home buying experience smoother and more cost-effective? You've come to the right place.

Table of Contents

The Charm of Chaffa
AFR's Exclusive Down Payment Assistance
A Unique 100% Down FHA Offer
Points to Ponder: Weighing the Costs

  1. The Charm of Chaffa: Colorado’s Gem

Origin: Exclusive to Colorado
Features:
Offers either a 3% grant or 4% of your purchase price as a silent second.
This silent second will remain attached to your property until your loan is settled.
Acts as a second mortgage lien—stable and unchanging.
Advantages:
Minimum amount: A mere $1,000 can have you owning a house (subject to income qualifications).
Post seller concessions, this usually amounts to roughly $5-6k.
Set interest rates.
Requires a minimum credit score of 620.
My Take: A top-tier option that I am personally fond of.

  1. AFR’s Exclusive Down Payment Assistance: Zero Down Wonder

Origin: Unique to Excel.
Features:
Offers 100% financing with zero down.
Grant options include a full 3.5% down or a 3% grant to cater to all associated costs.
Advantages:
No need for a second loan (unlike Chaffa).
Potentially zero out-of-pocket expenses, especially with seller concessions.
Links to more on AFR: Click here for comprehensive details.

  1. A Unique 100% Down FHA Offer: Limitless Opportunities

Origin: Exclusive to Excel, reminiscent of Chenoa.
Features:
No income caps: Ideal for those earning below 135% of the max income limits relative to the median income of their locality.
Offers a choice between the 3.5% silent second or a secondary loan.
Advantages:
The secondary loan involves regular payments but at a marginally elevated interest rate. This results in a reduced interest rate on your principal loan.
More about this FHA offer: Click here for a deep dive.

  1. Points to Ponder: Weighing the Costs

Down payment assistance is a phenomenal resource, but it's pivotal to be aware of the accompanying costs:
Typically, a higher interest rate.
Elevated closing costs.
Additional fees and procedural formalities like income limits.
They're an excellent stepping stone for first-time homeowners, but bear in mind, if saving for an outright purchase isn't viable for you, these programs might have slightly elevated costs. Remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Conclusion
Thank you for investing your time with me. The realm of down payment assistance is vast and diverse, but I hope this guide provided clarity. While we've only scratched the surface, I hope this knowledge empowers your home-buying journey. Catch you soon in the next guide!

Looking to expand your investment property portfolio? Matt Weaver is the go-to mortgage expert you can trust to help acquire more investment homes.
(970) 232-8302
mattweaver@excelfg.com
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