Putting Together Your Down Payment

Lots of borrowers can easily qualify for various loan programs, but they can't afford a large down payment. Below are a few methods that will help you get together your down payment

Slash the budget and build up savings. Look for ways you can trim your monthly expenditures to set aside funds for a down payment. There are bank programs in which some of your take-home pay is automatically transferred into a savings account each pay period. Some effective ways to save additional funds include moving into housing that is less expensive, and skipping a year's vacation.

Work more and sell items you do not need. Maybe you can get an additional job and save your earnings. Additionally, you can make an exhaustive inventory of things you can sell. Unused gold jewelry can bring a good amount from local jewelers. You may own desirable items you can sell on an auction website, or household goods for a garage or tag sale. Also, you can think about selling any investments you own.

Borrow funds from a retirement plan. Investigate the provisions of your specific program. It is possible to borrow funds from a 401(k) for a down payment or withdraw from an IRA. Be sure to ask your plan representative about the tax ramifications, your obligation for repayment, and penalties for withdrawing early.

Ask for assistance from generous members of your family. Many homebuyers are often fortunate enough to get help with their down payment help from caring family members who may be willing to help them get into their own home. Your family members may be willing to help you reach the goal of buying your own home.

Contact housing finance agencies. These agencies provide provisional mortgage programs to low and moderate-income buyers, buyers with an interest in rehabilitating a residence within a specific part of the city, and other certain types of buyers as defined by the agency. With the help of a housing finance agency, you may be given a below market interest rate, down payment help and other benefits. Housing finance agencies may help you with a reduced interest rate, get you your down payment, and offer other benefits. These non-profit programs exist to build up home ownership in certain neighborhoods.

Learn about low-down and no-down mortgage loan programs.

• Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans

  The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), plays an important part in aiding low to moderate-income Americans qualify for mortgage loans. An office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD), FHA (Federal Housing Administration) helps individuals get FHA provides mortgage insurance to the private lenders, helping the buyers to become eligible for a home loan. Down payment sums for FHA mortgages are below those of conventional mortgages, even though these loans have current interest rates. The down payment may go as low as three percent and the closing costs might be covered by the mortgage.

• VA mortgages

  VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Service persons and veterans can benefit from a VA loan, which generally offers a low rate of interest, no down payment, and minimal closing costs. Even though the VA doesn't actually finance the mortgage loans, it does certify eligibility to apply for a VA loan.

• Piggy-back loans

  A piggy-back loan is a second mortgage that closes at the same time as the first. Generally the piggyback loan takes care of 10 percent of the purchase price, while the first mortgage finances 80 percent. Instead of the usual 20 percent down payment, the homebuyer just has to pull together the remaining 10 percent.

• Carry-Back loans

  With a carry-back mortgage, the seller loans you part of his or her equity. The buyer finances the highest percentage of the purchase price through a traditional mortgage program and borrows the remainder from the seller. Usually you'll pay a slightly higher interest rate on the loan from the seller.

No matter how you gather down payment funds, the satisfaction of owning your own home will be just as sweet!