Incentive programs for first time home buyers

Mayor Doubles Incentive for First-Time Homebuyers to $10,000

BALTIMORE, MD. (Wednesday, April 27, 2022) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that effective May 1, 2022, the City is increasing incentives for first-time homebuyers to $10,000 for eligible households. Additionally, qualified homebuyers purchasing homes in Impact Investment Areas will be eligible for $20,000 in first-time homebuyer incentives.

This is a part of the Mayor’s strategy to increase Baltimore's population of middle-income families and central to the Scott Administration’s growth plan for 2030, which was created in response to declining population numbers – especially among middle-income Black homeowners. 

“Home prices and mortgage rates continue to escalate. This dynamic can cause housing affordability to sink for many first-time buyers,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “To address these challenges and continue to grow our communities, we are boosting the amount of assistance we offer to make buying a home more affordable. In order to continue to grow our city and strengthen our economy, we must do everything in our power to prevent potential Baltimore homeowners from being squeezed out of the marketplace.”

The First-Time Homebuyers Incentive Program is funded with Community Development Block Grant funds and offers down-payment help and closing cost support for first-time homebuyers. Assistance is increasing from $5,000 to $10,000, and an additional $10,000 is available for purchases made in the City’s Impact Investment Areas. Eligible buyers must purchase the home for owner-occupancy and have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Currently, AMI is $55,950 for a household of one, $63,950 for two, or $79,900 for four.

“This is further evidence that we are hyper-focused on equitable neighborhood development,” continued Mayor Scott. “Home buying incentives can level the playing field and ensure greater success for many potential homeowners.”

Approximately $2.5 million is available for the program. The Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) administers the program.

“We’re ready to commit these funds to the marketplace for applications submitted on or after May 1,” said Nicole Hart, DHCD Deputy Commissioner for Homeownership & Housing Preservation. “The incentive functions as a five-year forgivable loan, reducing by 20% each year provided the homebuyer lives in the house as their primary residence.”

This program will compliment other existing incentives available to potential homebuyers including the Baltimore City Employee Homeownership Program providing $5,000 for employees that have been with the City for at least six months, the Live Near Your Work partnership encouraging homeownership near places of employment, Buying Into Baltimore grants, and the Vacants to Value Booster encouraging rehabilitation of properties with City-issued Vacant Building Notices.

For additional information about the First-Time Homebuyers Incentive Program and other Baltimore City homeownership incentives, visit https://dhcd.baltimorecity.gov/hho/homeownership-incentives.

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Incentive programs for first time home buyers

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Financial Assistance for Homebuyers in New York

The Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (TRIP)’s HomeOwnership Center administers federal HOME funds for the City of Troy available to first-time homebuyers for down payment and/or closing cost assistance. The Homebuyer Incentive Program (HIP) grants assistance of $15,000 and $20,000 to income-eligible applicants, in order to promote homeownership in Troy for low-income homebuyers.

Eligibility Requirements
In order to be considered eligible for the Homebuyer Incentive Program, TRIP requires that all applicants must be first-time homebuyers, fall under 80 percent of the area median income, and show a minimum of $1,500 in savings at the time of applying. They must have completed the pre-purchase program before applying for down payment assistance. Applicants cannot have a purchase contract on a home at the time of application and must be willing to sign 10-year grant enforcement.

Income Limits
1 person household: $46,550
2 person household: $53,200
3 person household: $59,850
4 person household: $66,500
5 person household: $71,850
6 person household: $77,150
7 person household: $82,500
8 person household: $87,800

(Note: these figures were accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current - visit the program website for updated information)

Property Guidelines 
Any home being purchased must be owner-occupied and have one or two units. The property’s purchase price must not exceed 95 percent of the median purchase price for the Capital Region as defined by HUD and must be located in the City of Troy. The property must be inspected for Code Compliance & Lead-Based Paint Hazards.

*Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but States and Local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price and income limits.
 

Incentive programs for first time home buyers

Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.

FHA.com's compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.

Down Payment Grants in New York

Albany County Rural Housing Alliance Acquisition Grant

The ACRHA grant comes in the form of a forgivable loan, which is meant to assist with purchase and repair of a home. 51 percent of the grant must be used for rehabilitation/repair of the purchased home while the other 49 percent must be used for down payment and/or closing costs.

City of Albany Home Acquisition Program (HAP)

The City of Albany offers to its residents the Home Acquisition Program (HAP). It provides financial assistance to low income households with low annual incomes.  Funds can be put towards the down payment and closing costs of the home for a first-time homebuyer who resides in the property being purchased.

First Time Home Buyer’s Program

This program is in the form of a second mortgage and provides eligible applicants with a loan of up to 10 percent of the purchase price of the property in order to meet the down payment requirements. The loan has an interest rate of 4 percent with a 5-year term.

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance

The Homebuyer Incentive Program (HIP) grants assistance of $15,000 and $20,000 to income- eligible applicants, in order to promote homeownership in Troy for low income homebuyers. Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program requires that all applicants must be first time homebuyers.

Homebuyer Dream Program®

With the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York's Homebuyer Dream Program, participants can obtain a grant up to a $9,500 towards down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time home buyers purchasing a home through one of their approved community- member lenders.  Additionally, the program offers up to $500 towards the defrayment of homeownership counseling costs.  

NY State Association of Realtors Housing Opportunities Foundation

New York State’s NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation, Inc. offers qualifying homebuyers the opportunity to receive a grant, which is designed to assist with closing costs and/or down payments. The Housing Opportunities Foundation Individual Grant Program is in the form of a gift . Repayment is not required.

Rensselaer County Homebuyer Program

The Troy Homebuyer Incentive Program (HIP) makes funds available for down payment and/or closing cost assistance, via the Rensselaer Country Homebuyer Program.

State of New York Mortgage Agency Down Payment Assistance Loan

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL), which is available for all buyers using a SONYMA mortgage program, can provide the initial funding needed to purchase a home.

Incentive programs for first time home buyers

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Incentive programs for first time home buyers

What is the best program for first time home buyers?

1. FHA loan. FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and are considered more secure than conventional loans because they are backed by the US government. They're one of the easiest mortgages to get approved for if you're a first-time homebuyer with a low credit score and minimal down payment savings.

How do I qualify for first time home buyer grant in Florida?

To qualify for assistance, you generally must meet the following criteria:.
Be a first-time homebuyer..
Have a credit score of at least 640..
Take a homebuyer education course..
Qualify for a loan with a participating lender..
Fall below income limits in your area..

What is the first time home buyer incentive Canada?

Through the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, the Government of Canada offers to a first-time home buyer: 5% of the purchase price of an existing home. 5% or 10% of the purchase price of a newly constructed home.

What incentives are there for first time home buyers in Ontario?

The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive is a shared-equity mortgage with the Government of Canada, which offers: 5% or 10% for a first-time buyer's purchase of a newly constructed home. 5% for a first-time buyer's purchase of a resale (existing) home.