According to consumer research conducted by Fannie Mae, the primary barrier to homeownership for first-time home buyers is saving money for down payments and closing costs.  Potential first-time home buyers particularly struggle with the amount required for a down payment on a home in Southern California.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently announced new loan programs requiring as little as 3% down for well-qualified first-time home buyers.  In fact, the Fannie Mae program only requires that one of the co-borrowers must be a first-time home buyer.  The Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs provide even more economical options than the FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment requirement.  In addition to the option to purchase with 3% down, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs also offer options for qualified homeowners to refinance their loan up to the 97% LTV level.

With these new down payment and financing options, we may see additional buyers in the housing search.  The potentially increased number buyers in the housing search will represent a great opportunity for home sellers to put their homes on the market and have additional buyers competing for their homes.

You can find further information regarding these programs at the following sites:

Fannie Mae program: http://www.fanniemae.com/portal/about-us/media/corporate-news/2014/6203.html

Freddie Mac program: 

http://www.freddiemac.com/blog/homeownership/20141208_three_percent_down_mortgage.html

Please contact Esquire Real Estate with any additional questions regarding these programs or to discuss the purchase or sale of your next home.