IFA FirstHome

The Iowa Finance Authority supports the FirstHome program to help first-time home buyers in Iowa. A participant must not have owned residential property in the three years prior to qualifying as a first-time buyer in Iowa. Nevertheless, if you are a veteran or making a purchase in a targeted area, you could qualify for this program.

FirstHome offers an array of lending options with notably competitive home mortgage rates in Iowa. Your mortgage rates will not be influenced by your credit score. If your income falls below 80% of AMI, you may also be eligible for lower mortgage insurance premiums. You can opt to repay a basic FirstHome conventional loan over 25 or 30 years.

To take part in the Iowa mortgage assistance program, certain borrower and house rules must be satisfied:

• A down payment of just 3% for a conventional loan
• A minimum credit score of 640
• A debt-to-income proportion of less than 50%
• Completion of a homebuyer education program is compulsory for conventional loans
• Your income must be underneath the IFA limits, which vary county by county from $95,200 to $132,710 for a two-person household.
• It must be used as your primary residence
• The property must be a single-family residence.
• The purchase price cannot exceed roughly $481,000 in most areas or up to around $588,000 in targeted areas.

IFA Homes for Iowans

The Homes for Iowans program offers help for both repeat and first-time home buyers in Iowa. Credit ratings will not dictate a mortgage rate, though a 640 minimum is mandatory.

The eligibility criteria are identical to the FirstHome program except the following:

• Household earnings may not surpass $161,560 or 80 percent of the region's average median income level for a traditional loan.
• The maximum price permitted for a purchase cannot exceed $588,000.

IFA FirstHome and Homes for Iowans DPA

The IFA does not offer separate down payment assistance in Iowa. However, you can access assistance through their FirstHome and Homes for Iowans mortgage programs.

FirstHome provides more flexibility, with aid coming in either a $2,500 grant or as a second loan. The second Iowa mortgage assistance program is the only choice available through Homes for Iowans. Both programs allow you to finance as much as 5% of the home's purchase price for the down payment, with the amount not restricted by an upper limit. There are no monthly installments; the loan is to be repaid when the residence is sold, refinanced, or repayment of the first mortgage is made. These funds are open to be used for closing costs as well as down payment.

IFA Military Homeownership Assistance Program

This Iowa Finance Authority program is designed to help military personnel and former soldiers and surviving spouses purchase a home by offering a $5,000 grant. Such Iowa grants for homeowners can be combined with financing from either the IFA's FirstHome or Homes for Iowans loan options or a mortgage from another approved lender.

There are several criteria applicants must meet to pass for the assistance:

• First, this Iowa grant for homeowners must be approved before closing on a property.
• In addition, the residence bought with the grant money must be a single-family house, townhouse, condominium, or four-unit building if making one of the units their primary domicile.

Please note that funding for this program is limited. Therefore, check with IFA regarding the current availability of funds.

Des Moines homebuyer assistance

The City of Des Moines provides various first-time home buyer Iowa programs through four local non-profit organizations: HOME, Inc., Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Neighborhood Finance Corporation, and Neighborhood Development Corporation. These programs help residents interested in buying in Iowa.

Iowa City homebuyer assistance

Addressing racial disparities in homeownership, Iowa City has teamed with GreenState Credit Union and Hills Bank to boost access through an innovative public-private partnership. This initiative supplies down payment aid up to nearly $24,999 to qualified applicants. Criteria for the assistance include annual income below 80% of the area median, securing financing from one of the banks after financial counseling, and contributing a minimum of $250 toward settlement.

FHA Loans

Borrowers seeking home financing through an FHA-backed mortgage can expect more lenient creditworthiness conditions and down payment requirements as compared to traditional purchase loans. While credit profiles hovering around the 580 mark may gain approval for an FHA alternative, a nominal 3.5% of the home's price secures the deal. On the other hand, a 500-range credit standing may carry the deal with a sizable 10% down payment commitment.

VA Loans

Loans guaranteed through the US Department of Veterans Affairs are intended to help eligible military veterans, active duty personnel, and surviving spouses acquire a primary residence, refinance an existing mortgage, or cover renovation costs. They seem lucrative to first-time home buyers in Iowa owing to no down payment, no PMI, and competitive interest rates facilities.

USDA Loans

To be considered for a USDA loan, the home must be in a designated rural area. For first-timers who meet this location criteria, USDA loans are attractive because no down payment is necessary.