NCHFA Offers Down Payment Assistance For NC Home Buyers

North Carolina residents have a champion which offers affordable housing products through approved mortgage lenders. The NC Housing Finance Agency, also known as NCHFA, helps bridge the gap towards home ownership. Although most believe this agency’s products are solely first time home buyer products, there are repeat buyer programs as well. So, why should North Carolina buyers consider asking a lender about NC Housing products? That’s easy! By placing a priority on helping buyers afford a home, it offers down payment assistance, tax credits, foreclosure assistance, and more.

NCHFA Buyer Programs Include

• NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment
• NC Home Advantage
• $2000 NC Home Advantage Tax Credit

In addition to traditional first mortgage guidelines, NCHFA has additional requirements. Examples may include lower debt to income ratios, automated approvals, and income limits. In order to have a better understanding of the NC Housing offerings, let’s expand on the benefits of these NC home loan options.

First Time Home Buyer NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment

NC first-time home buyers have a great way to overcome the down payment shortage problem that plagues so many. Luckily, NCHFA provides $8,000 in down payment assistance for these first-time home buyers. When it comes to DPA funds, it may be used for both down payment and paying closing costs/prepaids. Combining the down payment assistance with seller paid closing costs could allow first-time buyers to purchase with no out-of-pocket money necessary.

But, there is more! First of all, this is not considered a grant. NCHFA is quick to point that out. Rather it is down payment assistance because it is a second mortgage loan, although at superbly favorable terms. How about no interest or monthly payments charged? Additionally, the DPA may be forgiven. yet, there are times when the funds could possibly be paid back. To learn if this $8,000 DPA makes sense, contact an NCHFA-approved, OVM Financial loan officer.

NC Home Advantage Down Payment Assistance

First of all, this form of DPA is not a set dollar amount like above. Instead, this DPA is calculated as a percentage. Although, it is not a percentage of the purchase price. Rather, the 3% or 5% is based on a percentage of the total first mortgage loan amount. Many make this minor mistake when trying to figure out their loan amounts. Another cool feature of this DPA product is that it is not just for first-time home buyers. That’s right! A repeat buyer may also use this DPA product!

Like the $8,000 DPA, the Home Advantage loan DPA funds may be used towards the down payment, closing costs, or prepaids. More often, this form of DPA is a smaller amount. Therefore, using a seller-paid closing cost strategy really comes in handy with this first-time buyer product.

$2,000 MCC Tax Credit

First time home buyers and Veterans have a wonderful opportunity that continues long after the day of closing. The NC Home Advantage Tax Credit offers qualifying buyers up to $2,000 every year. Take note that a first time home buyer does not mean first time ever buying a home. Anyone may be considered a first time home buyer if they have not owned a home within the last 3 years! In order to take advantage of the annual tax credit, there is an additional closing cost. Currently NC Housing charges $475 and lenders are allowed to charge an additional $300 on top of that.

How Does the $2,000 Tax Credit Work?

There is a 30% tax credit for used homes and a 50% tax credit for brand new homes. One of these tax credit percentages are used to determine the potential maximum annual tax credit. Here is how the calculation works:

Loan amount * Interest Rate * Tax Credit Percentage = Potential Annual Tax Credit

$100,000 * .05 * .30 = $1,500 tax credit

Notice we state “potential” tax credit. Each year the credit requires sufficient tax liability to take advantage of the credit. Speaking of credit, this is a true bottom line tax credit. It is a true dollar for dollar reduction in tax liability. Conversely, a tax deduction just lowers taxable income and so the effect is not as much.

The $2,000 mortgage credit certificate may be combined with the NC Home Advantage program. Although, the NC 1st Home Advantage program does allow the MCC tax credit.

A really cool story is recently a buyer who received an MCC tax credit 9 years ago called to tell me that he has received about $15,000 or more in tax credits during these few years of homeownership. How about that?!

NCHFA Income Limits

In order to use popular home buying assistance, income limits come into play. In addition to these guidelines, either maximum household income limits or borrower qualifying income limits apply. Depending on the program being used, lenders must apply one of the two income limit requirements.

NCHFA Household Income Limits

Both the NC 1st Home Advantage and the NC Home Advantage Tax Credit require that buyers meet maximum “household income limit” requirements. Only the actual borrowers’ income and debts are used in the maximum 45% debt-to-income ratio. Additionally, all income from the household must fall within the household income maximum threshold.

Sometimes, calculating qualification for income limits may get tricky. So, one’s best bet is to ask a knowledgeable NCHFA-approved loan officer. Therefore, if looking to use the $8,000 down payment assistance or up to a $2,000 tax credit per year, the household income limits will apply.

3% or 5% Down Payment Assistance Income Limits

Unlike the $8,000 DPA or the $2,000 tax credit, using 3% or 5% down payment assistance does not have a household income limit. Often, buyers may fall out of the parameters of the $8,000 or $2,000 because of the household income limit. Fortunately, NCHFA offers options to help others. So, besides the down payment assistance and the ability for repeat buyers to qualify, the major advantage of this product is how the income limit is used.

In order to meet the NC Home Advantage guidelines, only the actual borrowers’ “qualifying” income is used in the income limit. Currently set at $99,000 and only using the borrower’s income, often fits most NC buyers.

Other Down Payment Assistance Programs

In addition to NC, we also offer assistance for Virginia and South Carolina buyers. Virginia residents have the ability to use down payment assistance or grants combined with first mortgage programs. Offered through VHDA-approved lenders such as OVM Financial, it gives Virginia buyers several advantages.

South Carolina offers a $6,000 down payment assistance to combine with several first mortgage products. It is a great solution for buyers needing a little extra help to buy a home in the Palmetto State.