Alabama First-Time Home Buyer Programs of 2018

What you need to know

First-time home buyers can get a conventional home loan with as little as 3% down if the mortgage meets requirements set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And if you put at least 20% down, you won’t have to pay mortgage insurance. Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 to qualify for a Read More

What you need to know

Mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, offer relaxed qualification requirements, especially when it comes to down payment and credit score. You can qualify for an FHA home loan with a credit score as low as 500, but you’ll need a 10% down payment. If your score is 580 or Read More

What you need to know

Guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, these mortgages are available to military members, veterans and surviving spouses. If you qualify, you’ll see benefits such as no minimum credit score and no down payment or mortgage insurance, but you'll likely have to pay a VA funding fee.

What you need to know

The USDA home loan program encourages rural and suburban homeownership by offering zero-down-payment mortgages to lower-income buyers. Borrowers with nontraditional credit data, like rent or utility payments, can still apply, but those with a score of 640 or above will experience faster loan Read More

What you need to know

Step Up helps eligible low- to moderate-income home buyers purchase a new or existing home with a 30-year, fixed-rate conventional or FHA mortgage and 3% down payment assistance. Your income must be under $97,300, regardless of household size or where in Alabama you buy the home. Features include 3% Read More

What you need to know

Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs), dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credits of 20% to 50% of their mortgage interest, up to $2,000, are for first-time home buyers with conventional, FHA, VA or USDA fixed-rate mortgages. The credit can be used as long as you keep the original first mortgage. Read More