There is a common misconception that many buyers have regarding the down payment necessary to purchase a home. Multiple studies reveal that 40-50% of Americans believe you need between 15-20% of a down payment to be eligible to purchase a home.
This misconception came about as the government just last year debated
new guidelines for residential mortgages because of the housing collapse in 2007. Some were arguing that there should be a minimum of 20% or even 30% down payment on all mortgage loans.
However, those standards were never implemented.
To counter this misunderstanding, Christina Boyle,
Freddie Mac’s VP and Head of Single-Family Sales & Relationship Management, in a recent
Executive Perspectives explained that a person
“can get a conforming, conventional mortgage with a down payment of as little as 5 percent”.
3% Down Payments Available Soon?
Just last week,
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt
announced that mortgages requiring only a three percent down payment may soon be available:
“To increase access for creditworthy but lower-wealth borrowers, FHFA is also working with the Enterprises to develop sensible and responsible guidelines for mortgages with loan-to-value ratios between 95 and 97 percent. Through these revised guidelines, we believe that the Enterprises will be able to responsibly serve a targeted segment of creditworthy borrowers with lower-down payment mortgages by taking into account “compensating factors.”
Bottom Line
If you are saving for either your first home or that perfect move-up dream house, make sure you know all your options. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Call us for more information or a referral to a great lender!
