PHILADELPHIA - The Pennsylvania real estate market is booming. Low-interest rates have encouraged homeowners to sell their homes and homebuyers to purchase. According to statistics, the average time a home was on the market before it sold was just 16 days in August 2021. This hot market benefits first-time homebuyers because the prices of homes are low, and properties move quickly.
Down payment assistance programs
First-time home buyers in Pennsylvania have a few options for down payment assistance programs. The First Front Door program provides up to $3 for every $1 you contribute toward the down payment. While the program does not provide a down payment for the entire purchase price, it does help with closing costs.
This government program offers assistance with the down payment of a single-family primary home. You don't have to be a first-time buyer to qualify, but you should have a household income within the program's income limits. In addition, you must take a homebuyer education course. These courses can be taken online or in person with a participating housing counseling agency. Once you have completed the course, you will receive an additional $500 toward your closing costs.
Another down payment assistance program for Pennsylvania first-time home buyers is the HFA Preferred (Lo MI) loan. This program provides up to $5,000 toward the down payment and closing costs. In addition, you do not have to pay the grant back for five years. However, you will have to pay it back if you sell the home before the five years. To qualify for a grant, you must have a household income under 80% of the area's median income.
Another down payment assistance program for Pennsylvania first-time home buyers involves homeownership education and counseling. These programs vary in their level of support and eligibility requirements. Some require you to meet a certain number of criteria, including income, homeownership, and home occupancy.
Closing cost assistance programs
Closing cost assistance programs for first-timers in Pennsylvania are available to help buyers meet closing costs. Depending on the program, income restrictions may apply. Some have a dollar limit based on household size, while others have income limits based on average incomes in the area. Check out Pennsylvania's HUD website to learn more about the programs.
The First Front Door program matches the down payment that a first-time homebuyer puts down with up to $5,000 of grant funds. The grant doesn't need to be repaid for five years but must be paid back if the buyer sells the home before the five-year mark. To qualify, applicants must earn less than eighty percent of the median income for the area.
Closing cost assistance programs in Pennsylvania provide financial assistance to help borrowers with the closing costs of purchasing a home. These programs are separate from lenders and target lower-income home buyers. To qualify, buyers must apply through a local housing agency. To get assistance, the buyer must meet minimum quality standards. The program can help buyers with down payment and up to 100% closing costs.
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) offers several programs to help first-time home buyers purchase a home. The program offers down payment and closing cost assistance and is available statewide to residents of Pennsylvania. To qualify, applicants must meet income requirements, purchase price limits, and credit requirements.
Tax credits for first-time home buyers
Buying a home is expensive, but Pennsylvania offers tax credits for first-time home buyers to help offset the costs. These credits can reduce your taxable income and may result in a tax rebate. In Pennsylvania, for example, you can write off up to 50% of your interest on a mortgage for a home you purchase with a 20% down payment. These programs also offer additional assistance for people in low-income categories and those who are military veterans.
Pennsylvania has several programs to assist first-time homebuyers, and each program has different requirements and application procedures. While the state offers tax credits for first-time homebuyers, there are also requirements based on income and the home's purchase price. Many programs also require applicants to participate in homebuyer education.
One such program, called the Keystone Home Loan, helps low-income homebuyers buy their first home in Pennsylvania. This program offers financial assistance for the down payment and closing costs and is compatible with the Pennsylvania HOMEstead loan. Another program, the HFA Preferred Loan, is specifically designed for low-income households.
Several Pennsylvania tax credits are available for first-time home buyers, and many city-specific programs are available to help buyers buy a home. For example, the NeighborWorks America/Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT program offers up to $15,000 in down payment assistance and other services. Another program, the Homeownership First Program, offers up to $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.