When you decide to buy your first home, you’re probably hoping that you could rely on the first time homebuyer credit for some help. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that program is no longer in effect. But, don’t despair because there are other government programs and tax credits that can help you find your first abode.

What is the first time homebuyer credit?

In 2008, the Obama administration passed the Housing Economic and Recovery Act (HERA) to help homebuyers purchase their first home, despite the financial crisis the country was going through at the time. With so many instances of foreclosures and mortgage defaults, there weren’t very many homebuyers in the market, and lending standards were tight. The concept of this program was to decrease closing costs and moving expenses.

The first-time homebuyer credit was a provision under HERA, where qualifying individuals and couples could receive a tax credit if they were purchasing a new primary residence home between April 8, 2008, and September 30, 2010. Depending on when the house was purchased, there were a few different versions of the credit offered to buyers. With that said, a buyer’s eligibility would be determined based on the closing date of the transaction.

When the credit was first made available, new homeowners could receive a credit of 10% of the home’s purchase price, up to $7,500. They would have to repay that money — interest-free — over the course of 15 years in equal installments. Eligible single homebuyers couldn’t earn more than $75,000, and married homebuyers couldn’t make more than $150,000.

The credit increased on November 6, 2009, where new homeowners could receive a credit up to $8,000 without being required to pay the money back ㅡ as long as they stayed in the home for at least three years. Eligible single homebuyers couldn’t earn more than $125,000, and married homebuyers couldn’t make more than $225,000. If the homebuyers moved out before the three years, they were required to pay the money back in full.

Is the first-time homebuyer credit still available?

The first-time homebuyer credit ended on April 30, 2010, but still allowed people to claim the credit if their closing date was on or before September 30, 2010. Unfortunately, there aren’t any federal first-time homebuyer credit programs available for new homebuyers today.

Are there other options similar to the first-time homebuyer credit?

Although there isn’t a first-time homebuyer tax credit available today, that doesn’t mean you’re entirely out of luck. There are still some federally-backed mortgage programs designed for first-time homebuyers that can help. These federal loans often have less restrictive qualification requirements and often are more affordable than other mortgage options.

FHA loans

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) supports a home loan program that helps buyers who aren’t qualified for a conventional home loan. The FHA insures lenders so that they’ll feel more confident when lending to someone who’s considered a higher-risk. Applicants for a FHA loan may have better odds of getting approved for a mortgage through this program as they may be eligible for a lower down payment and be able to qualify with a lower credit score.

Keep in mind, if you opt for an FHA loan, you will be required to pay mortgage insurance if you’re not able to bring a 20% down payment to the table. Some of this is taken care of at closing, and the rest is charged in monthly payments.

To qualify for an FHA loan, applicants must:

• Show proof that they have been employed for two years
• Verify income with tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements
• An FHA-approved appraiser must ensure the property meets HUD standards
• Earn enough money per month so the mortgage payment isn’t more than 31% their take-home pay.
• Ensure all debt payments do not exceed 43% of gross monthly income
• Have a 10% down payment if their FICO score is between 500 to 579
• Have a 3.5% down payment if their FICO score is 580 and up

USDA loans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a program called the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, which helps people with low- to very-low incomes purchase a home. The program offers qualified homebuyers with the opportunity to find suitable housing in eligible rural areas. Julene Webb, a top real estate agent in Idaho with more than 20 years of experience, states, “The USDA loan is great because it can help you make that first purchase with a lower down payment. We have a few programs that accomplish what the first time homebuyer’s credit did.”

The benefit of applying for this type of loan is that it’s 100% financed, which means you don’t have to put any money down. Along with 100% financing, homebuyers may qualify for payment assistance, which could lead to a mortgage interest rate as low as 1%.

If you’re interested in a home in a more rural area and are considering this type of loan, the property you’re looking at:

• Cannot be worth more than the loan limit for that area
  • Check out this map to find the loan limit for your area
  • Learn the latest news on loan limits here
• Cannot be larger than 2,000 square feet
• Cannot have in-ground swimming pools
• Cannot be designed for earning an income

To qualify for an USDA 502 loan, applicants must:

• Currently have inadequate, unsafe, or unsanitary housing
• Be unqualified to be approved from other lending resources
• Use the home they buy as their primary residence
• Have the financial means to repay the loan
  • Have records of being steadily employed for two years
  • Show two years of tax records if self-employed
• Be a citizen or meet eligible non-citizen requirements
• Qualify to participate in federal-funded programs

VA loans

A Veteran’s Affair loan (also known as a VA loan) is a particular type of mortgage available to  military veterans, or their surviving spouses to obtain affordable housing. Ninety percent of the loans backed by the VA require no down payments, which can be a great help for those who have visions of being a homeowner.

There are a few different types of VA loans you might be eligible for:

• The VA offers loans to purchase a house, which are forgiving in terms of credit scores and the minimum down payment amount (0% — you can’t get lower than that!).
• Once you’ve purchased your house, you’ll be eligible for interest-rate reduction refinance loans that can help you lower your interest rate by refinancing your current VA loan.
• Native American direct loan program helps eligible Native American veterans buy, build, or renovate homes on Federal Trust Land.
• Specially Adapted Housing grants can help veterans who were permanently disabled during active duty buy or build a home to suit their needs. The current maximum amount veterans can receive is $90,364 and the money can be used to:
  • Build a home that is specially adapted for those with disabilities on land to be purchased in the future
  • Build a home on land that is suitable for specially adapted homes that has already been purchased
  • Remodel a home with features to turn it into a specially adapted home
  • Use the grant toward the principal balance of a specially adapted home that has already been purchased with a VA grant.

To figure out what loan would be suitable for your needs, we recommend talking with your real estate agent about your options.

To qualify for a VA loan, homebuyers should fall into one of the following categories:

• Served in active duty during wartime for 90 consecutive days
• Served in active duty during peacetime for 181 days
• Been part of the National Guard or Reserves for six (6) years
• Are a spouse of a veteran who died while serving active duty or as a result of a disability caused by a service-related incident

GSE programs for first-time homebuyers

Along with these federally backed loans, you have the option of applying to government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) programs for low-income homebuyers. For example, Fannie Mae has the HomeReady program (fact sheet) that requires only a 3% down payment, and you can even have family members apply as co-borrowers to help improve the chances for approval.

Then you have Freddie Mac’s program called Home Possible (fact sheet) that requires the same 3% down payment, but borrowers also have the chance to use “sweat equity” to pay the down payment and closing costs. Any money you spend on materials to repair the home you’re purchasing or any repairs you do to the house can count as money paid toward those expenses.

Tax breaks even first-time homebuyers can claim

Mortgage interest deduction

Homeowners can deduct the interest they pay on their mortgage when they file taxes. For mortgages taken out before December 16, 2017, you can deduct up to $1 million of mortgage interest ($500,000 if you’re married and file separately). For any mortgage loans taken out after December 16, 2017, homeowners can only deduct up to $750,000 of interest ($375,00 if you’re married and file separately).

Residential energy credits

If you make improvements to your home that’ll make your home more energy-efficient, you may qualify for tax credits to help with the costs. Depending on the improvements you make, you could get 10% credit for cheaper improvements like replacing windows, installing better insulation, and updating the HVAC system. For more extensive improvements, like installing solar panels, wind, or geothermal systems, you could get a 30% credit.

Property tax deduction

As a homeowner, you can deduct the local property taxes of your primary residence every year. If you have a second home, you can even deduct those property taxes too!

Mortgage points

Mortgage points are fees that a homebuyer can pay their mortgage lender upfront to get a lower interest rate. One mortgage point typically costs 1% of the loan amount and reduces your rate by around 0.25%. Your points may qualify for tax deductions if you’re able to meet specific parameters.

Penalty-free withdrawals from IRA for first-time homebuyers

If you have to withdraw money from your retirement account, you may get hit with a 10% early withdrawal penalty. However, if you’re a first-time homebuyer, you can withdraw up to $10,000 and use it toward a down payment for a new home. Of course, this depends on the type of IRA you have. We strongly recommend consulting with a financial advisor before messing with your retirement plan.

Buying a home after the first-time homebuyer credit

Although the first time homebuyer credit isn’t available for today’s new homebuyers, there are plenty of other options available that can help.

“The first thing you have to do is reach out to your mortgage originator, talk to them about what your goals are, and then they’ll tell you your options in the area you’re considering. The loan programs are always changing, so the originator is going to stay on top of that and will let you know what your best options are,” Webb advises.

Rural developments are a good example of an option for first-time buyers “because you can choose to drive fifteen minutes further and get 100% financing ㅡ or the FHA loan, where you’re getting a grant to help you with your down payment and closing costs,” she adds.

When you choose a loan program designed to help first-time homebuyers, buying a home becomes a little bit easier…and even a little more affordable, too.