Home Loans Arizona - California - Nevada - Utah

3% Down Payment Mortgage for First-Time Homebuyers in Phoenix AZ

For years, the Federal Housing Administration was the king of the low-down-payment mortgage mountain. Now, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises that provide capital to the mortgage market, are designing loan products for hopeful home buyers with skinny savings accounts.



With Fannie Mae’s HomeReady and Freddie Mac’s Home Possible, a 3% down payment — or what lenders refer to as 97% loan-to-value, or LTV — is available on so-called conventional loans. Conventional loans are the loan products most often issued by lenders.

Many Phoenix AZ homebuyers have a hard time juggling everyday expenses while saving for a down payment or closing costs. Rent, utilities, car payments, student loans, and credit cards, not to mention groceries, can sometimes drain your bank account as quickly as money is deposited.

Considering all of that, it's no surprise that saving for a home is one of the biggest hurdles to actually buying a home. But that doesn't have to be your experience. Today's buyers have mortgage options that require down payments well below 20% of the home's purchase price. In many cases you can buy a home with just 3% down.

There are also buyer assistance programs in Phoenix AZ that may help cover your down payment and possibly closing costs. Funding from those programs often can be combined with financial gifts from your family and friends to reduce your out-of-pocket costs to buy a home.

VA Loans - Veterans Affairs
These loans are insured by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for certain veterans, service members, spouses and other eligible beneficiaries.

They don’t require a down payment or mortgage insurance but do charge a one-time funding fee of 0.5% to 3.3%, depending on the type of loan, the size of the down payment and the nature of your military service.

USDA Loans - U.S. Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture insures home loans for low- to moderate-income homebuyers in eligible rural areas.

Like VA loans, there is no down payment for a USDA loan. But there is an upfront fee of 1% and an ongoing annual fee of 0.35%, both of which apply to purchases and refinances.

FHA Loans - Federal Housing Administration
Insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), borrowers can get an FHA loan with a down payment as low as 3.5%.

Additional fees include an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.75% and an annual mortgage insurance premium of 0.45% to 1.05%, depending on the type, size and length of the loan and the size of the down payment.

Conventional loans
Some mortgage lenders offer small down payment mortgages — as little as 3% down payment — to borrowers who qualify.

These loans, however, aren’t insured by a government agency, so the lender will require private mortgage insurance (PMI). The cost of PMI varies but is often between 0.5% and 1% of the loan amount. You can typically request to have your PMI dropped once you have at least 20% equity in the home.

So if you are ready to purchase a home in Phoenix AZ with only 3% down payment, please contact Nathan Rufty at (623) 850-1210.