CTeBockhorst's Blog

The Mortgage and Real Estate Scoop

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Calculators
    • Download My eGuide Today!
    • First Time Buyer Tips
    • First Time Seller Tips
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Process
    • Loan Programs
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • What to Expect at a Loan Closing: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • Apply
  • Reviews
    • Read My Reviews
    • Zillow Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Archives for Homeownership

Loan Programs For Lower Income Buyers

May 21, 2020 by Coleen TeBockhorst

http://data.bloggingrightalong.com/i/Real_Estate_Terms_The_Debt_to_Income_Ratio_and_How_It_Affects_Your_Home_Purchase.jpgOwning a home may be the American dream, but for many who are in a lower income bracket, finding a loan can become challenging. Thankfully, there are several loan programs that can work well for lower income people considering homeownership. Here’s a closer look at some of these home loans designed to help people who have a low-to-moderate income find a way to buy a home.

FHA Home Loans

FHA home loans are loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration. Lenders are more likely to lend to “higher risk” borrowers through the FHA loan program because the loans have the FHA’s backing.

With the FHA loan, a borrower can have a credit rating as low as 500, as long as there is a reasonable explanation for it, and a fairly high debt-to-income ratio. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, these loans require only a 3.5% down payment, which can come from gifts, and have less stringent requirements for credit rating or income.

USDA Rural Development Loans

If you are shopping for a home in a small town or suburban area, you may qualify for the USDA rural development loan program. Only those borrowers who make no more than 115% of the average median income in their area qualify for this loan program, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

USDA loans require no down payment and the loan has no debt-to-income ratio maximum. It has a low PMI fee even for a zero-down loan, and fair interest rates. For those who live in areas that qualify, the USDA rural housing loan simply makes sense.

97% Loan-To-Value Purchase Loans

One of the biggest challenges for lower income borrowers to overcome is the down payment, but the 97% loan-to-value loan makes that less of a concern. This program, which Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have offered to help encourage more people to get loans, allows people to buy a home with just 3% as a down payment.

The 97% loan-to-value purchase loan is specifically for first-time buyers. Borrowers must not have owned a home within the last three years to apply.

This loan program offers fair interest rates and does not have stringent credit score requirements. Borrowers can use gift funds to pay for the 3% down payment if necessary.

As you can see, there are many home loans designed for lower income borrowers. If you are looking to buy a home but worry you can’t afford it, consider one of these options.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Homeownership, Mortgage, Owning Home

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Contact Coleen

Coleen Tebockhorst

Coleen TeBockhorst
coleen.tebockhorst@citywidehm.com

Senior Loan Officer

Call me! (612) 701-8512

NMLS #274205

Download My Mortgage eGuide today

CW Home Mortgage logo_White

Guaranteed Rate, Inc. DBA Citywide Home Mortgage

Categories

Our Location

9815 S. Monroe Street Suite 106-A
Sandy, UT 84070

Connect With Me

This site is not authorized by the New York State Department of Financial Services. No mortgage loan applications for properties located in New York will be accepted through this site. Operating in the state of California as Guaranteed Rate, Inc. D/B/A Citywide Home Mortgage. If you are a California resident, please review our Privacy Policy to learn more about the categories and business purpose of personal information we may collect and your right to opt-out from the sale of personal information.

Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Refinancing your mortgage may increase costs over the term of your loan. Restrictions may apply. All information provided in this publication is for informational and educational purposes only, and in no way is any of the content contained herein to be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice or instruction. Citywide Home Mortgage does not guarantee the quality, accuracy, completeness or timelines of the information in this publication. While efforts are made to verify the information provided, the information should not be assumed to be error-free. Some information in the publication may have been provided by third parties and has not necessarily been verified by Citywide Home Mortgage. Citywide Home Mortgage, its affiliates and subsidiaries do not assume any liability for the information contained herein, be it direct, indirect, consequential, special, or exemplary, or other damages whatsoever and howsoever caused, arising out of or in connection with the use of this publication or in reliance on the information, including any personal or pecuniary loss, whether the action is in contract, tort (including negligence) or other tortious action.

Coleen TeBockhorst NMLS ID: 274205 Copyright © 1998-2025 Guaranteed Rate, Inc. D/B/A Citywide Home Mortgage. All rights reserved.

For licensing information, go to: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

NMLS License #2611 – 3940 N Ravenswood Chicago, IL 60613. (866) 508-5515. Equal Housing Lender.

Licensing | Privacy | Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · Powered by MySMARTblog

Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Sample Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in