NHF grants can help you buy a house sooner

Many would-be homeowners feel they can’t get a foot in the door because they lack cash for a down payment and closing costs.

Luckily, you’re not on your own when it comes to those big out-of-pocket expenses.

There are thousands of down payment assistance programs nationwide to help first-time home buyers and repeat buyers alike.

The National Homebuyers Fund (NHF) is one such program. Since 2002, it’s given millions of dollars to help families achieve their homeownership dreams.

The best part: NHF grants and loans generally don’t have to be repaid. So if you qualify for assistance, it’s as good as free money.

In this article (Skip to…)

• What is the National Homebuyers Fund?
• How NHF grants work
• How to qualify for NHF down payment assistance
• Drawbacks to consider
• Alternatives to NHF for home buying grants
• What are today’s mortgage rates?

The National Homebuyers Fund (NHF). is a nonprofit public benefit corporation founded in 2002.

It offers closing and/or down payment assistance qualified borrowers nationwide — including first-time home buyers repeat buyers.

The NHF can offer assistance up to 5% of the mortgage loan amount. So if you got a $250,000 mortgage, for example, the NHF might give you up to $12,500 as a grant or forgivable loan to help with your upfront costs.

The NHF can offer assistance up to 5% of the mortgage loan amount. That’s $12,500 toward the down payment on a $250,000 loan.

California residents can also take advantage of other NHF programs, including financing for energy efficiency home upgrades, getting a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC), and additional down payment assistance.

According to its website, the NHF was created to “stimulate and expand homeownership opportunities and strengthen communities nationwide.” Its target audience is people seeking affordable housing help, including first-time buyers.

Since its creation, this organization has given more than $339.4 million in down payment assistance to eligible borrowers. What’s more, it has aided over 40,300 people or families in buying a home.

1. A grant of up to 5% of the final loan amount. “Grants are free and do not have to be repaid,” notes Anna DeSimone, author of Housing Finance 2020
2. A second mortgage loan with 0% interest that is forgiven after three years. This second mortgage is typically big enough to cover your down payment or closing costs

With a forgivable loan, you don’t have to pay any principal or interest — meaning, you don’t pay it back at all — so long as you abide by the program’s restrictions. Chiefly, you have to stay in the house the full three years it takes the loan to be forgiven.

“Forgivable loans help home buyers cover their upfront costs,” DeSimone says. “And then each year, for several years, a certain portion of the loan balance is forgiven, until it reaches zero.”

In the case of an NHF loan, the loan balance is completely forgiven after three years.

This article lists popular down payment assistance programs in every state.

Or, you can visit downpaymentresource.com to locate aid resources in your area you may qualify for based on your credit and income.

“Another place to look for homebuyer assistance is on the HUD website,” suggests Randall Yates, CEO of The Lenders Network.

Depending on the program offered, “usually, a minimum credit score of 640 is needed, and there are income limits that vary by state. And typically, these other programs offer assistance between 3% and 5% of the purchase price to eligible borrowers.”

Most down payment assistance programs have a miminum credit score of 640 and offer assistance between 3% and 5% of the purchase price.

Ryan Leahy with Mortgage Network also recommends contacting the housing authority for the municipality where you’re buying. These agencies can help you find closing cost and down payment assistance programs that may not be widely known.

“Look closely at requirements that may have to be met, such as completing a first-time home buyer class,” advises Leahy.

Lastly, whether you pursue NHF funds or otherwise, “make sure you work with a loan officer that has experience working with grants and down payment assistance programs,” Leahy adds.

“Sometimes, these programs can make your mortgage loan a bit more challenging to coordinate and ensure all the funds are ready for closing.” So having a loan officer who’s already familiar with the process will make everything go more smoothly.