specific type of financial assistance offered. HSH.com ensured to collect programs that were available statewide, and included programs for both first-time home buyers as well as repeat buyers. “To qualify for one of these statewide home buyer programs, which can offer anything from below-market mortgage rates to down-payment assistance to special programs for police or firefighters, borrowers must almost always attend a home buyer education course,” adds Keith Gumbinger from HSH. com. “Statewide assistance programs must be acquired through a participating lender.” You can visit the following site to find home buyer programs that might work for you in your home state: https://www.hsh. com/finance/mortgage/home-buyer-programs.html. Start by clicking on your state on the map; then, you’ll see short descriptions of available programs and information such as state agency websites, participating lenders, eligibility requirements, courses, and contact information. Qualifications Remember that each type of grant or loan or other home buyer programwill have different requirements and qualifications in order to be eligible, so make sure you learn all you can about a) what assistance is available in your area; b) what the program(s) offer; c) what conditions must be met in order to qualify; and c) what you need to do, personally, to ensure your eligibility. Since home buyer grants are meant to be used specifically, and only, toward the purchase of a new home, there are qualifying rules for these funds. According to HUD, most grants are given to those who qualify for a mortgage. Further, all federal grant programs aimed at first-time home buyers will require the individual to attend a HUD-approved house counseling
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