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Then make sure you get personalized rate quotes from at least three to five mortgage lenders. Note that government loan programs require you to buy a primary residence. That means you can’t use these loans for a vacation home or investment property. If you’re a first-time home buyer in Pennsylvania with a 20% down payment, you can get a conventional loan with a competitive interest rate. The PHFA Keystone Government Loan program allows applicants with credit scores less than 680 to use the 3% down payment assistance.
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or an existing homeowner, you may qualify for homebuyer assistance in Pennsylvania. These programs provide cash assistance for down payments and closing costs. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency should provide free advice to any first-time home buyer in PA. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides a few lists of statewide, regional, and local homeowner resources.
Luzerne County
The HFA PreferredTM program offers a 30-year fixed-rate loan that is similar to a conventional loan. If you make less than a 20% down payment, you will have to buy private mortgage insurance to protect the lender from default risk. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is a non-profit organization created by the Pennsylvania legislature that provides several mortgage programs to help home buyers. PHFA aims to provide affordable housing to all residents of Pennsylvania. Their home buyer programs target a variety of situations, which gives home buyers several options. PHFA mortgages and programs offer financial benefits that include competitive mortgage rates, fewer fees, and down payment assistance.
These programs usually provide cash assistance through a second mortgage or another loan and often have income and residency restrictions. If you are unsure whether you qualify for home buyer assistance, it is best to consult with a homebuyer assistance consultant. In Pennsylvania, the average listing price of a home is $360,570. The average down payment on a conventional loan is roughly five percent.
Which Pennsylvania first time home buyer programs are provided by PHFA?
The value of your HOMEstead program loan will begin dropping by 20% every year as soon as you purchase your home (even though you don’t make any payments). Therefore, your $15,000 remaining on your $20K HOMEstead loan after five years in the house will automatically be forgiven. If you move after the first year, you must pay back 90% of the borrowed sum. This is if it’s less than $10k due to being on time with monthly payments and following other requirements such as not getting another mortgage within five years. Second, even though you might be able to get a higher interest rate than different types of loans, Veterans Affairs loans come with a lower down payment than conventional mortgages do. This means that if you don’t have thousands of dollars saved up for your down payment right now, you can still buy a home.

A down payment as low as 3% – Your mortgage will cover the cost of up to 97% of your home’s purchase price. If you're looking for a lower-cost mortgage, you may want to check out the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's Keystone Loan Program. You can also find a variety of other PHFA home purchase programs, including 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Another benefit of an FHA loan is getting approved even with a higher debt-to-income ratio.
I. Conforming Loan
There are certain requirements that a borrower must meet to be eligible for this program. The Keystone Home Loan Program offers loans with lower borrower requirements to first-time home buyers, which are insured by the Pennsylvania Housing Insurance Fund . Your mortgage rate will depend on your financial circumstance, the lender, and the current benchmark rates like the Prime Rate. Another PHFA program is the HOMEstead down-payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan program. The proceeds must be used for down-payment and closing cost assistance. Best of all, the loan is forgiven at an annual rate of 20% for five years.
First-time homebuyers in Luzerne County may be eligible to apply for the Growing Homeowner’s Program to assist with homeownership goals. This program offers down payment assistance in an amount up to $7,500 in a second mortgage loan that is forgivable after five years of residing within the primary residence. The application process includes working alongside a homeownership specialist to establish financial goals and attend a minimum of three homebuyer readiness classes. The PHFA offers HFA Preferred to both first-time and repeat buyers.
It includes an eight-hour workshop, one-on-one counseling, and an emphasis on financial literacy. The course is offered through a partnership with social service organizations, lenders, and housing providers. Another PHFA program, the Keystone home-loan Program, is available to first-time homebuyers with large down payments. The program's purchase limits are generous, but the income and down payment requirements vary by county. Down payment assistance may be available through state and local government programs.
Homebuyers looking to live in Allegheny County, but outside of the City of Pittsburgh, may be eligible to apply for the Allegheny County First-Time Homebuyer Program. This program, when available, offers a low-interest, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for qualified borrowers who meet income limits and other requirements. The City of Philadelphia’s Division of Housing and Community Development supports the City of Philadelphia’s Philly First Home program.
Could help those who are elderly or with disabilities find a home. The act might be able to help with rental resources in addition to home purchase options for those who are unable to find and secure housing help on their own. Residents of Allegheny County could get help with programs available for buyers.
Residents of Delaware County may be eligible for financial assistance through the Delaware County Homeownership First and Revitalization Program. This program is specifically designed to help low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers who are purchasing in Delaware County. Eligible applicants may qualify for up to $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Eligible borrowers must also use the Access Home Modification Program and meet income requirements. For mosthome purchase assistance programs, there is a length of ownership requirement.
Buying a home for the first time can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. With so many steps involved, from financing to closing, it's essential to understand all the available resources to help make the process easier. This assisted-housing program gives you an interest-free second mortgage that you have to repay over 10 years. It lets you borrow up to 4% of the home’s market or appraised value, whichever is less. 311 provides direct access to City government information, services, and real-time service updates.
Record low interest rates under 3% have inspired homebuyers to purchase and homeowners to cash in on their homes. In fact, in August 2020, the average time a home was on the market before selling was as low as sixteen days. First-time homebuyer grants offer opportunities to gain homeownership, especially for buyers who need extra support toward paying for their first house. These grants vary in their guidelines and application process, but they have some essential similarities.
We can not and do not guarantee the appropriateness or correctness of the information in your specific situation. I strongly advise you to get individual counsel from competent experts. When real estate is most active, the best time to buy a home is during the fall and winter seasons. Sellers are also more motivated to sell during the warmer months, and home values change significantly in response to buyer demand.

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