The Bank of America Down Payment Grant is a fantastic program that can help you save thousands on your dream home. You can receive up to $7,500 in assistance.
To be eligible, you must meet certain requirements, such as purchasing a home in a specific area and meeting income limits. The grant is only available to first-time homebuyers.
The Bank of America Down Payment Grant can be used in conjunction with other down payment assistance programs. This means you can potentially save even more money on your home purchase.
Bank of America's Down Payment Grant
Bank of America's Down Payment Grant offers up to $10,000 in down payment funds, covering 3% of the purchase price.
To be eligible, buyers must meet income limitations and purchase homes in certain geographic regions. The home must be used as a primary residence, and the grant can only be applied to two specific mortgage products.
Here's a summary of the Down Payment Grant program:
What Is It?
Bank of America's Down Payment Grant is a program that offers financial assistance to help with down payments and closing costs. It's a game-changer for homebuyers who need a little extra help getting into their dream home.
The maximum amount you can get from this grant is $17,500, which can be used for either your down payment or closing costs. Bank of America has two grants available, one for down payments and one for closing costs.
To be eligible for the America's Home Grant program, buyers must meet income limitations and purchase homes in certain geographic regions. The home must be used as a primary residence, which means it's where you'll be living most of the time.
You can get a closing cost credit of up to $7,500 through the America's Home Grant program, which can be used on non-recurring closing costs like title, recording, or buying discount points to lower your mortgage rate.
The NeighborhoodLIFT Program
The NeighborhoodLIFT Program is a great option for homebuyers who need help with down payment and closing costs. It's a partnership between Wells Fargo and NeighborWorks America, and it offers a forgivable, zero-interest second mortgage with no required payments.
This loan can be used for down payment and closing costs, and after five years of living in the home, the loan is forgivable. The home must be a primary residence, and it must be located in a designated NeighborhoodLIFT area.
To qualify for the NeighborhoodLIFT Program, buyers must take a homebuyer education course. This program is not exclusively reserved for first-time buyers, but the home must be a primary residence, and it must be located in a designated NeighborhoodLIFT area.
Here are the key benefits of the NeighborhoodLIFT Program at a glance:
- Forgivable, zero-interest second mortgage
- No required payments
- Can be used for down payment and closing costs
- Forgivable after five years of living in the home
Eligibility and Qualification
To qualify for the Bank of America down payment grant, you don't have to be a Bank of America customer, but you do need to get the mortgage through them. This is a unique requirement for this program.
The program is designed to help those who truly need assistance with their home purchase. Typically, these programs are reserved for buyers with low to middle income.
To meet the requirements, you'll need to be a first-time buyer, which is defined as someone who hasn't owned a primary residence home in the last three years. You'll also need to have low to middle income.
You must use the home as a primary residence, and it must be located in a qualifying area. You'll also need to work with a qualifying lender and use a qualifying loan program.
Here are the key requirements:
- Be a first-time buyer (haven't owned a primary residence home in the last three years)
- Have low to middle income
- Use the home as a primary residence
- Work with a qualifying lender and use a qualifying loan program
In terms of income, there's no cap if you're looking in a low to moderate area. However, if you're looking at a medium to upper income area, there's a cap of 80% of the area's median income.
Program Details
The Bank of America Down Payment Grant program offers a down payment grant of up to 3% of the purchase price, up to $10,000.
You must meet income limitations and purchase homes in certain geographic regions to be eligible for this program. The home must be used for a primary residence, and the grant can only be applied to two specific mortgage products.
The program is designed to help homebuyers cover down payment funds, and it's a great option for those who need a little extra help getting into a home.
How Does It Work?
To get a down payment grant, you'll need to meet income limitations and purchase a home in a specific geographic region. The grant can be up to 3% of the purchase price, which is up to $10,000.
You can get a forgivable, zero-interest second mortgage through the NeighborhoodLIFT Program, which can be used for down payment and closing costs. This loan is forgivable after five years of living in the home.
The NeighborhoodLIFT Program is not just for first-time buyers, but you do need to take a homebuyer education course to qualify. The home must be a primary residence and located in a designated NeighborhoodLIFT area.
Homebuyer Purchase & Renovation Program
The Homebuyer Purchase & Renovation Program is a game-changer for homebuyers. It allows you to purchase a home and have funds available in a rehab escrow to revitalize properties and make necessary repairs after closing.
You won't have to make a mortgage payment during the first six months of the mortgage after closing if you can't live in the property during the renovation. This is a huge benefit, as you won't have to worry about making payments while your home is being fixed up.
The future mortgage payments don't change, and the impact of six months of mortgage payments added to the loan is eliminated by permanently reducing the interest rate by an additional 0.375%. This is a great incentive to take advantage of the program.
NACA's HAND department provides ongoing assistance and coordination throughout the renovation process. They'll work with you to create a scope of work and rehab budget, identify and estimate the cost of required repairs and renovations, and more.
Here's a breakdown of the HAND program's services:
- Educate and work with a homebuyer throughout the renovation process.
- Creating a scope of work and rehab budget.
- Identify and estimate the cost for the required repairs and renovations.
- Work with a homebuyer’s property inspector.
- Work with a homebuyer to identify eligible contractors to work with, focusing on local contractors.
- Working with homeowners in selecting and contracting with contractors.
- Administering inspections and disbursing payments to contractors for completed work.
- Communicating regularly with the homeowner’s lender supplying regular inspections and project updates until all work is done, per the terms of the rehabilitation agreements.
- Providing on-going assistance during the renovation process through renovation completion.
America's Home Program
The America's Home Program is a great option for those looking for down payment assistance. It offers credits on closing costs, which can be a huge help when buying a home.
You can get a closing cost credit of up to $7,500 to be used on non-recurring closing costs such as title, recording, or to buy discount points that lower the mortgage rate. This can save you a significant amount of money upfront.
To be eligible for the program, buyers must meet income limitations and purchase homes in certain geographic regions. The home must be used as a primary residence.
Here are some key details about the America's Home Program:
- Closing cost credit: up to $7,500
- Eligibility: income limitations and certain geographic regions
- Home use: primary residence only
Keep in mind that these programs can be complex, so it's essential to do your research and find a knowledgeable real estate agent to guide you through the process.
Save Thousands on a Home
You can save thousands on a home with a down payment grant. Homebuyers can save anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000 using statewide down payment assistance programs.
In 2023, 39.5% of all FHA mortgage endorsements went to down payment assistance loans, which were especially crucial for first-time home buyers seeking affordability. This is a significant number, showing how important these programs are for many people.
Down payment assistance programs can cover an average of 3% of the home purchase, which can be a game-changer for buyers who need help getting into a home. Since many loans start at 3% down, one of these programs can boost a would-be buyer to homeowner status.
Bank of America has its own DPA program, the America's Home Grant, which offers credits on closing costs. You can get a closing cost credit of up to $7,500 to be used on non-recurring closing costs.
This program is designed for buyers who meet income limitations and purchase homes in certain geographic regions. The home must be used as a primary residence, so it's not for investors or second-home buyers.
Application and Process
To apply for a Bank of America down payment grant, you'll need to follow a straightforward process. First, you'll want to identify the ideal DPA program that suits your needs, and your agent can help you find the specific qualifying lender who works with that program.
Contact the lender and let them know you're looking to use the DPA program, and ask how to apply. They'll guide you through the process of applying for the grant or second loan and your home loan.
Apply with a Qualified Lender
To apply for down payment assistance, you'll need to work with a qualified lender. Typically, these lenders work with specific down payment assistance programs, so you'll want to identify the ideal program for your situation.
Most down payment assistance programs require you to contact a lender who works with that particular program. Your agent can help you find the right lender and guide you through the application process.
Once you've chosen a lender, contact them and let them know you're interested in using a down payment assistance program. They'll walk you through the process of applying for the grant or second loan and your home loan.
Keep in mind that not all lenders work with down payment assistance programs, so it's essential to find one that does. This will ensure you can take advantage of the program's benefits.
Here are some key requirements to look for in a qualified lender:
- They work with the down payment assistance program you're interested in
- They can guide you through the application process
- They can help you understand the program's terms and conditions
By working with a qualified lender, you'll be able to navigate the application process with ease and take advantage of the down payment assistance program's benefits.
Find the Right Agent
To navigate the application and process of down payment assistance (DPA) programs, finding the right agent is crucial. You'll need an agent with specific experience in using these programs.
First, narrow your search to agents who are experienced at working with first-time, middle-income, and low-income buyers. This will increase your chances of finding an agent who knows the ropes.
Ask point-blank if they've ever helped a buyer with DPA before. If you get a long stare, it's likely they don't know much about these programs.
A qualifying lender is also essential, so make sure your agent has experience working with them too. An agent who's never been through the process may be in over their head.
Loan Options and Costs
You can get down payment assistance by taking out a second mortgage, which might have deferred payments until you sell or refinance the home.
Some DPA loans have low- or no-interest options, making them a solid choice if you plan to stay put for a bit.
Many DPA programs can be used to cover closing costs, which is another large chunk of change you'll owe at closing.
Low Options
If you're a teacher, you might be eligible for special home loans that don't require a lot of savings for a down payment.
Besides down payment assistance programs, there are standard loan programs available for buyers who don't have a lot of savings.
Some second mortgages have deferred payments until you sell or refinance the home, or are forgiven completely once you've lived in the home a certain number of years.
These down payment-oriented second mortgages often feature low- or no-interest options, making them a solid choice for those who plan to stay put.
Many DPA programs can be used to cover closing costs, which is another large chunk of change you'll owe at closing.
Conventional Loans
Conventional loans are a popular option for homebuyers, and one of the biggest perks is that you can put down as little as 3% of the purchase price.
This low down payment requirement is a game-changer for many buyers, making it easier to get into a home without breaking the bank.
Fannie Mae's HomeReady and Freddie Mac's HomeOne and Home Possible are just a few examples of conventional loan programs designed to help first-time and low-income buyers.
These programs offer flexible eligibility requirements and competitive interest rates, making it more accessible for those who need a little extra help.
Closing Cost
When you're buying a home, closing costs can be a significant expense. Closing costs are fees associated with the home buying process, and they can range from 2-5% of the purchase price.
One option to help with closing costs is the closing cost grant, also known as America's home grant. This is a lender credit of $7,500 towards nonrecurring closing costs.
This grant is provided directly by Bank of America, so there's no need to repay it. It's a one-time credit that can help reduce the financial burden of buying a home.
However, it's essential to understand what the closing cost grant can and cannot cover. It cannot cover a down payment, as this is a prepaid item.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to not pay 20% down payment?
Consider alternative loan options such as FHA, VA, or USDA loans, or explore city programs offering down payment assistance to reduce or eliminate the need for a 20% down payment. These options can help make homeownership more affordable and accessible.
Is Bank of America down payment grant taxable?
The Bank of America Down Payment Grant may be considered taxable income, and a 1099-MISC will be issued. Consult with your tax advisor to understand your specific tax implications.
Sources
- https://www.winthehouseyoulove.com/videos/new-17-500-grant-from-bank-of-america-requirements-and-how-to-apply
- https://www.naca.com/naca-programs/
- https://lasentinel.net/bank-of-america-introduces-affordable-loan-solution-to-aid-homeownership-in-african-american-communities.html
- https://www.homelight.com/blog/buyer-down-payment-grants/
- https://denverite.com/2019/07/01/bank-of-america-has-down-payment-money-for-denver-homebuyers-who-need-it/
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