How Much Should Buyers Put Down On A House?

By ERIN FLYNN JAY If you are looking for a home and don’t have 20% to put down, you are not alone. According to the National Association of Realtors, the typical down payment for first-time buyers is 8%. For repeat buyers, it’s 19%. And for 38% of first-time buyers, saving for a down payment was the most difficult step in the process. Sean Moss, EVP of product and operations at Down Payment Resource, says there is no one right answer to the question of how much money to put down when purchasing a home. It’s dependent on the buyer’s financial situation, as well as the loan type they plan to use. “It’s a common misconception that 20% down is the…

Average Rates Creep Closer To 8%

Average mortgage rates are creeping closer to 8%, piling more lousy news on top of recent sales declines and price spikes. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.63%, up from 7.57%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.94%. On Wednesday, the daily rate hit 8%, pointing to further average increases next week. The 15-year fixed-rate rose to 6.92% from 6.89%. A year ago, it averaged 6.23%. “Not only are homebuyers feeling the impact of rising rates, but home builders are as well. Incoming data shows that the construction of new homes rebounded in September but as rates keep rising, home builders appear to be losing confidence,” said Sam Khater, Freddie…

DPR Highlights Resources For Homebuyers With Disabilities

This Disability Pride Month, Down Payment Resource has highlighted homebuyer assistance programs designed for people with disabilities. People with disabilities may be eligible for any homebuyer assistance program, but there are some resources geared toward this group in particular. While they vary in purpose and scope, they all serve to support the dream of homeownership for people with disabilities.  “Homeownership provides individuals with disabilities and their caregivers with greater independence and empowerment. It allows them to have control over their living environment, make decisions regarding accessibility modifications and customize their homes to meet their unique needs,” said Down Payment Resource founder and CEO Rob Chrane. “My hope is that this report will raise awareness about the available programs that provide…

Four New Hires At DPR

Down Payment Resource has announced four new hires to help expand its sales footprint, relationships, and customer base. The new crew includes two leadership appointments – Tani Lawrence as Enterprise Sales Executive and Angel Romero as HFA relationship manager – as well as two DPA program specialists, Keith Futrell and Kathy Gault. “Intense consumer demand for homebuyer assistance has driven explosive usership across our tools for lenders, agents, and listing sites — prompting us to grow our team with the addition of four incredibly knowledgeable and passionate housing finance professionals,” said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. “I look forward to working with the expanded DPR family to champion innovative tools, strategies, and programs that make homeownership more affordable and…

Listen To The Mortgage Note’s Spring Podcast

The Mortgage Note’s team has been tracking national trends and the ways companies are working to attract buyers and sellers to the market this spring. Editor Kimberley Haas interviewed industry leaders to learn more about what they are seeing and what products are being offered for this podcast. If you would like to participate in future episodes, please email us at [email protected]. Read Articles Featuring The Guests: Sun Belt Success And Stress: One-On-One With Troy Williamson Support For Multifamily Homebuyers On The Rise Innovations In Lending: One-On-One With Knock CEO Sean Black Growing Enterprises: Presale Home Renovation Company Revive Continues National Expansion Follow Us On Twitter: The Mortgage Bankers Association's National Advocacy Conference is taking place in Washington, D.C. What…

Support For Multifamily Homebuyers On The Rise

By KIMBERLEY HAAS Programs that support ownership of multifamily properties are estimated to make up almost 30% of homebuyer assistance offerings and that may present unique opportunities in markets strapped for inventory. According to the Down Payment Resource’s Homeownership Program Index, 33 new programs supporting multifamily homebuyers and builders were added in Q4 2022. Multifamily programs now make up 29.3% of all available assistance offerings, a 5.5% increase over Q3 2022, according to the index. Sean Moss, executive vice president of product and operations at Down Payment Resource, told The Mortgage Note that even first-time homebuyers can qualify for down payment assistance and become both an owner and a landlord at the same time. Moss said the buyer receiving the…

Helpers Can Be Found Throughout The Industry

By KIMBERLEY HAAS Leaders in the industry are committed to giving back during the holiday season and throughout the year. It was announced earlier this month that Down Payment Resource in Atlanta, Ga., will help a family in Memphis, Tenn., attain their homeownership dreams by donating $10,000 to the Homeownership Council of America’s Equity Down Payment Assistance program. They provide down payment and closing cost assistance for low-to-moderate income and minority first-time homebuyers. Leaders at Down Payment Resource say that is “a mission that aligns with our company’s founding goal of expanding affordable homeownership program awareness, understanding, and participation.” Rob Chrane, founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource, said in a statement for The Mortgage Note that they are supporting the program because…

Leaders: There Are Still Potential Buyers Despite The Odds

By CHUCK GREEN Despite a plethora of obstacles, there are prospective buyers chomping at the bit to purchase a home, according to experts. On Wednesday, Zillow Home Loans Senior Economist Matthew Speakman released a statement on mortgage rates dropping after a report on inflation showed that price pressures may finally be easing. “The arrival of weaker-than-expected October Consumer Price Index data was just the sign investors had been waiting for, and markets viewed it as a signal that the Federal Reserve may finally take its foot off the brakes as it determines the path forward for monetary policy,” Speakman said. “Bond yields tumbled as a result and mortgage rates – which had spent the last few weeks oscillating at or…