By partnering with the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, DPR is making the holidays a little merrier for one local homebuyer working with the agency

ATLANTA, Ga., Dec. 18, 2023 — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry’s leading technology for connecting home buyers with homebuyer assistance programs, today announced a $10,000 donation to the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership to be used as a grant to help an eligible homebuyer working with the local nonprofit housing agency.

“Atlanta is ranked first in home price appreciation (68.6%) and fourth in rent increases (30%) according to data reported by the Atlanta Regional Commission data, factors that make it even harder for first-time homebuyers to get their foot in the door,” said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. “We are proud to partner with ANDP to help a local homebuyer have a homeownership stake in their community. We want to do all we can to tip the scales in favor of homeownership, particularly among traditionally underserved buyers.”

ANDP develops, finances, and advocates for affordable housing that promotes racial equity and healthy communities where families thrive. The grant funded by DPR is intended for a buyer whose income is at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) and not receiving additional financial assistance from ANDP. The funds can be used for down payment or closing costs (including a rate buydown) on the purchase of an ANDP property. 

“We are pleased to receive donations year-round, but there’s something special about gifts received during the holidays that just makes this gift very special. We appreciate the ongoing support of DPR, especially in these times when buying a home may seem out of reach for many,” said John O’Callaghan, president and CEO of ANDP. “Gifts like these restore hope for our clients and help them take that all-important step toward building generational wealth through homeownership.”

About ANDP:

ANDP was created in 1991 as a result of the merger of the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s Housing Resource Center and the Atlanta Economic Development Corporation’s Neighborhood Development Department. The impetus for ANDP’s creation was to address the diminishing supply of affordable housing in the Metropolitan Atlanta region as well as to help reclaim declining neighborhoods in its core. Throughout its history, ANDP has supported the creation of more than 11,000 units of housing for people of low-to-moderate incomes. For more information, visit the ANDP Homes website.

About Down Payment Resource:Down Payment Resource (DPR) is the housing industry authority on homebuyer assistance program data and solutions. With a database that tracks more than 2,200 programs and toolsets for mortgage lenders, multiple listing services and API users, DPR helps housing professionals connect homebuyers with the assistance they need. DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 600,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

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Down Payment Resource has crafted tools to help mortgage lenders, real estate agents and multiple listing services build relationships with homebuyers by connecting them with the homebuyer assistance they desire.

To explore the best option for your business, contact us.

In 2023 many homebuyers found it tough to compete in a housing market with increased demand, high interest rates and home prices and limited supply. 

We think this makes down payment assistance (DPA) more important than ever. As we look back at 2023, we’re proud of the growth and strategic changes we’ve made to bring current information on more than 2,200 programs to millions of consumers.

Industry Accolades

We didn’t stand alone in recognizing the difference some help with a down payment, closing costs or other fees have in helping more people purchase a home. 

Throughout the year, we received very positive feedback from customers and partners that our tools are helping them make a difference in the lives of homebuyers. 

We were also recognized as a company and individually for our efforts by professional organizations and leading publications, including:

• The Mortgage Bankers Association, which honored our Founder and CEO Rob Chrane with the prestigious MBA NewsLink Tech All-Star Award
• Inc., which recognized DPR on its Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies
• PROGRESS in Lending Association, which recognized our Director of Marketing Melinda Harris on its list of Sales, Marketing and Public Relations Trailblazers
• National Mortgage Professional (NMP), which named Chrane an Industry Titan

Q1 Highlights: Local Focus, National Reach

To kick off the year, we turned a spotlight on DPA programs in our own backyard by reporting on the 46 DPA programs available to help metro Atlanta home buyers. In addition, we gifted one of our local housing agencies with $10,000 to help an eligible first-time homebuyer.

We were pleased to find our Q1 Homeownership Program Index (HPI) report showed a 0.5% uptick in the number of homebuyer assistance programs from the previous quarter. While some would assume these programs are limited to first-time buyers, they are not. In fact, many are open to repeat buyers such as the City of Dallas’ Anti-displacement Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP 10), which provides down payment support to low- and moderate-income Dallas residents who have lived in city limits for at least 10 years whether they’re buying their first home or their fifth. 

We also drew attention to the increasing number of incentivized programs that offer assistance to select groups like veterans and military service members, firefighters, teachers and healthcare workers, such as the Holland (Michigan) Public Schools Teachers Live Here Program, which provides up to $25,000 in forgivable funds over five years for eligible educators.

Q2 Highlights: Program Numbers Continued to Rise Mid-year

Our Q2 HPI report noted another 0.5% increase in the overall availability of homebuyer assistance programs and made special mention of municipality-administered programs, which comprise the bulk (42.2%) of all DPA programs. A notable example is the City of Madison’s Home-Buy The American Dream (HBAD) program, which provides up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a deferred, silent second mortgage that isn’t due until certain conditions are met, such as selling the home or refinancing the loan. 

We also noted the 18% increase in state housing initiatives partnerships (SHIP) like the Clay County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program provides people purchasing a home in Clay County, Fla., up to $15,000 in DPA in the form of a 30-year deferred, forgivable soft second. Provided all program conditions are met, borrowers do not have to repay the loan at the end of its term. 

Q3 Highlights: New Programs Continued to Roll Out in the Fall as Interest Rates Peaked

While Q3 2023 was marked by interest rates topping 20-year highs, our reporting found that program administrators responded swiftly by rolling out 54 new DPA programs and more flexibility around how the funds are used, including allowances for funding buydowns to lower interest rates temporarily and other monthly payment reduction strategies. 

For instance, Tenfold’s York Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance (DPA) to first-time homebuyers purchasing homes in York County and York, Penn. The assistance comes as a 0% interest, silent second mortgage. The loan is fully forgiven over a five-year term on a prorated basis, provided all program conditions, such as owner-occupancy, are met. 

DPA Trends Continue to Address Affordability Challenges

During the year, we shined a light on programs for groups of people who may have felt disenfranchised by the housing finance system in the past, such as people with disabilities, Native American homebuyers, Black homebuyers and members of the military.

We added many new customers throughout the year, and, in September,  we were proud to announce the onboarding of six new lenders — Elevations Credit Union, Embrace Home Loans, Homeowners Financial Group, HomeStreet Bank, RWM Home Loans and a regional bank. This significant milestone reflects the growing need for solutions that promote accessible and sustainable homeownership.

As we close out 2023, we continue to delve into the data collected from our database to unveil significant developments and emerging patterns in homebuyer assistance programs across the United States. Our database is the largest collection of program information, spanning all 50 states. We monitor each program monthly to ensure  accuracy and funding availability.

Based on our canvassing so far, we anticipate a modest rise in the number of available programs from additional funding sources in the fourth quarter and we think more programs will offer flexibility so borrowers can use DPA to pay for reducing their interest rate, mortgage insurance premiums and fees associated with FHA and VA mortgages. 

As evidenced in our quarterly reports and other outreach, the need for homebuyer assistance has never been greater. We are pleased to be the leading source in connecting our customers and their customers with the assistance homebuyers need to start building generational wealth through homeownership. We’ve been doing this since 2008, and we give it our all every day. We want to thank our customers, and we look forward to doing great things together in 2024. 

(Stay tuned: Our official Q4 report comes out in January!)

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Down Payment Resource has crafted tools to help mortgage lenders, real estate agents and multiple listing services build relationships with homebuyers by connecting them with the homebuyer assistance they desire.

To explore the best option for your business, contact us.

DPR reports on programs from its national down payment assistance database for Veterans Day and Military Family Appreciation Month

ATLANTA, Ga., Nov. 10, 2023 — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry authority on homebuyer assistance program data and solutions, is highlighting homebuyer assistance programs to support Veterans, service members and their surviving spouses in conjunction with Veterans Day and Military Family Appreciation Month, both observed in November. While service members are eligible for any of the 2,200-plus U.S. homebuyer assistance programs, DPR found there are 61 programs offering up to $120,000 in assistance specifically developed to help them build, buy or make accessibility-related home renovations.

According to the Urban Institute, 78 percent of Veteran households were homeowners, 14 percentage points higher than the total population. Active-duty service members, who are often relocated every few years, had a homeownership rate of 43 percent. Military families are not only challenged by frequent relocation (Permanent Change of Station or PCS orders) but are struggling financially in a housing market with rising home prices and mortgage interest rates the highest seen since 2000. Results from the Blue Star Families’ Military Family Lifestyle Survey indicate that housing costs and relocation issues have become increasingly stressful and expensive for service members in recent years, making assistance with down payment and other purchasing costs even more essential.

An analysis of the 61 programs showcases the range of assistance available to promote homeownership among Veterans, active-duty service members and their surviving spouses:

• Financial assistance range: The programs offer homebuyer assistance ranging from $2,000 to $120,000.

• Program types: The homeownership assistance program types consist of 24 second mortgage programs, 18 affordable first mortgage programs, 15 grants, and one each below market rate (BMR)/resale restriction program, combined assistance program, voucher program and other assistance type.

• Repayment features: Twenty-four programs offer forgivable assistance, provided that all program conditions, such as owner-occupancy, are met. Fifteen programs are given as gifts with no strings attached provided eligibility criteria are met. 

• Program eligibility: Thirty-five programs are for first-time buyers, while 34 are open to repeat buyers or provide a waiver for service members and Veterans.

“Having assistance to buy now, even when interest rates seem high, can help our service members start to build equity, enjoy a sense of community, and have an asset they can keep or sell if they receive PCS orders,” said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. “We are extremely grateful to our Veterans, service members and their families and hope these programs can unlock the doors to homeownership and all the benefits it brings.”

Individuals can search for their homebuyer assistance program eligibility for free at https://downpaymentresource.com/are-you-eligible/. 

Methodology:

DPR produced homebuyer assistance program findings by analyzing its DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® database for programs with incentives for people with disabilities. The DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® database tracks the funding status, eligibility rules and benefits of all U.S. homebuyer assistance programs using data sourced from more than 1,300 housing finance agencies (HFAs), municipalities, nonprofits and other housing organizations. Homebuyer assistance programs of all types are tracked, including down payment and closing cost assistance, Mortgage Credit Certificates and affordable first mortgages.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is the housing industry authority on homebuyer assistance program data and solutions. With a database that tracks more than 2,200 programs and toolsets for mortgage lenders, multiple listing services and API users, DPR helps housing professionals connect homebuyers with the assistance they need. DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 500,000 real estate agents. For more information, https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Four times a year, we release a Homeownership Program Index (HPI) report where we delve into the data collected from our DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® database to unveil significant developments and emerging patterns in homebuyer assistance programs across the United States.

While Q3 2023 was marked by interest rates topping 20-year highs, our data revealed a bastion of hope in homebuyer assistance programs. Program administrators responded swiftly to the mounting home affordability crisis by rapidly rolling out new programs as well as funding buydowns and other monthly payment reduction strategies.

Fifty new agencies began offering homebuyer assistance programs last quarter, raising the number of agencies providing support for aspiring homeowners to 1,373. Moreover, the number of programs increased by 54, raising the total number of programs offered to 2,256*. As of October 25, 2023, a substantial 82% of these programs had funding for eligible homebuyers.

Program Trends

• 295 programs allow funds to be used for buydowns to lower mortgage rates. Of them: 
  • 253 programs allow for a permanent rate buydown 
  • 66 programs allow for a temporary rate buydown
    • 53 programs allow for 1-0 buydowns
    • 58 allow for 2-1 buydowns
    • 55 allow for 3-2-1 buydowns

Tenfold’s York Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance (DPA) to first-time homebuyers purchasing homes in York County and York, Penn. The assistance comes as a 0% interest, silent second mortgage. The loan is fully forgiven over a five-year term on a prorated basis provided that all program conditions, such as owner-occupancy, are met. A minimum middle credit score of 620 is required, and recipients must take a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before entering a sales agreement. Household income and home price limits apply.

• Hundreds of programs allow funds to be used to cover certain loan and MI fees: 
  • 224 programs can be used to pay the upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) on FHA loans, the funding fee on VA loans and guarantee fees on these types of loans. 
  • 71 programs allow MI offsets so the homebuyer can reduce MI premiums upfront.
  • 241 programs can be used to pay the MI premium.

The Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $80,000 in purchase assistance for people buying homes in Broward County, Florida. The assistance takes the form of a forgivable second mortgage loan that is deferred at 0% interest for 15 years, provided all program requirements are met. Eligible homebuyers can make up to 80% of HUD AMI and use the funds to buy homes up to $568,557.

• Support for Native American homebuyers: 43 homebuyer assistance programs in 14 states are specifically designed to support Native Americans. While Native Americans are eligible for any of the 2,200-plus U.S. homebuyer assistance programs, these programs were specifically developed to help Native American homebuyers with down payments and/or other home-buying costs. 

The Cherokee Nation Mortgage Assistance Program provides up to $20,000 in DPA and credit coaching to members of federally recognized tribes, with priority given to citizens of the Cherokee Nation. The assistance takes the form of a 10-year forgivable loan and can be used to purchase an existing home or construct a new one. Borrowers who comply with additional requirements after close may be eligible for an additional $7,500 principal reduction. 

• 50 new agencies began offering homebuyer assistance programs. Now, 1,373 agencies administer assistance programs to aspiring homeowners, a 3.78% increase over the previous quarter.

On October 16, 2023, Davis County, Utah, launched an inaugural homebuyer assistance program to help LMI families achieve their homeownership dreams. According to its website, Davis County began offering homebuyer assistance because “home prices in the last several years have dramatically appreciated across the state,” which has created an “unprecedented challenge to homeownership.”

Breakdown of New Programs

Here is a breakdown of the homebuyer assistance programs added last quarter by assistance type:

• Below market value (BMR)/resale restriction programs saw the largest growth, with 24 programs added. Close behind, 16 second mortgage programs and 14 matched savings programs were added. Additionally, three combined assistance programs, two deed restriction, two housing choice vouchers, two rehab assistance and one other program was added.

Breakdown of All Programs

Overall, the breakdown of homebuyer assistance programs available by type was virtually the same as the previous quarter. 

• Of the 2,256 homebuyer assistance programs:
  • 82% of programs are currently funded.
  • 9% of programs are currently inactive.
  • 4% of programs have a waitlist for funding.
  • 6% of programs are temporarily suspended.
• 74% of programs in the database are for down payment or closing cost assistance. 
• 10% of programs are first mortgages.
• 3% of programs are Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs)
• 13% are other program types

A complete, state-by-state list of homebuyer assistance programs can be viewed here. You can also download the full infographic.

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Down Payment Resource has crafted tools to help mortgage lenders, real estate agents and multiple listing services build relationships with homebuyers by connecting them with the homebuyer assistance they desire.

To explore the best option for your business, contact us.

*On October 25, 2023, DPR updated the way it classifies certain homebuyer assistance programs that are available to the general public but also offer expanded benefits to veterans and military personnel. As a result of the update, DPR’s total count of U.S. homebuyer assistance programs was adjusted downward; however, its breakdowns by region, assistance type and funding source remained the same. This change reflects an evolution of DPR’s reporting methodology, not a reduction in the overall availability of homebuyer assistance. DPR normalized last quarter’s data using its new counting methodology before calculating quarter-over-quarter trends.

Analysis finds 42 programs in 14 states offering up to $90,000 in assistance designed to help Native Americans purchase a home

ATLANTA, Ga., Oct. 23, 2023 — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry’s leading technology for connecting home buyers with homebuyer assistance programs, is highlighting 42 U.S. homebuyer assistance programs in 14 states that are specifically designed to support Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives) in conjunction with Native American Heritage month. While Native Americans are eligible for any of the 2,200-plus U.S. homebuyer assistance programs, these programs were specifically developed to provide help with down payments and/or other home-buying costs for Native American homebuyers. 

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies reports that 56.7 percent of Native American households own their homes, a full 15.0 percentage points lower than white households. While the federal government is responsible for providing funding for housing programs on tribal lands, historically this funding has been insufficient, according to the National Indian Council on Aging. Native Americans have faced numerous obstacles when it comes to homeownership, says the Council, including high unemployment rates and poverty, with only 8 cents of wealth for every dollar of the average white American household. 

An analysis of the 42 programs showcases the range of assistance available to promote Native American homeownership. 

• Eligibility: Most programs are limited to members of federally recognized tribes for purchasing homes on reservations or within specified service areas.
• Financial assistance range: The programs offer homebuyer assistance ranging from $2,125 to $90,000.
• Income requirements: Ten programs have no income requirements. Thirty-two programs have income requirements that range from 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income. 
• Availability: Assistance programs are offered in 11 states and the District of Columbia. The states with the most programs are Oklahoma (13), Michigan (9) and Oregon (4). Sixteen programs are statewide, and 25 are local. 
• Program types: The homeowner assistance programs encompass various types, including 33 second mortgage programs, seven grant programs and two matched savings programs. Twenty-three programs are for first-time homebuyers only, and 19 programs can be accessed by repeat buyers.
• Forgivable programs: Thirty-six of the programs offer forgivable assistance, provided that all program conditions, such as owner-occupancy, are met, further alleviating the financial burdens for aspiring homeowners.

“Native Americans continue to face hardships that can delay or prevent them from becoming homeowners, which is an important pathway to economic prosperity and community development,” said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. “It’s my hope that mortgage ready Native Americans will access our database to find programs specific to their tribe and region that can provide them with the resources and support they need to achieve homeownership.”

Individuals can search for their homebuyer assistance program eligibility for free at https://downpaymentresource.com/are-you-eligible/. 

Methodology:

DPR produced homebuyer assistance program findings by analyzing its DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® database for programs with incentives for people with disabilities. The DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® database tracks the funding status, eligibility rules and benefits of all U.S. homebuyer assistance programs using data sourced from more than 1,300 housing finance agencies (HFAs), municipalities, nonprofits and other housing organizations. Homebuyer assistance programs of all types are tracked, including down payment and closing cost assistance, Mortgage Credit Certificates and affordable first mortgages.

About Down Payment Resource:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is an award-winning technology provider helping the housing industry connect homebuyers with the homebuyer assistance they need. With tool sets tailored for real estate agents, multiple listing services and mortgage lenders, DPR’s technology empowers housing professionals to make affordable home financing opportunities more accessible while growing business and forging referral partnerships. The only organization to track the details of every U.S. homebuyer assistance program, DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises, think tanks and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by five of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume, three of the four largest real estate listing websites and 600,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

Down Payment Resource (DPR) started in 2008 with a small but very dedicated team committed to making it easier for homebuyers to find down payment assistance programs. In the early years, our team traveled to partner sites to develop the rapport and trust that would serve us well as we grew our database to cover the entire U.S. with more than 2,300 programs from over 1,300 agency partners.

As we’ve grown, our commitment and laser-focused effort on quality is stronger than ever.

This month, we’d like to introduce you to Kris Case, Adam Goodman and Tracy McIntosh who work behind the scenes to keep our technology systems running and onboard new business partners in the mortgage, real estate and housing finance agency spaces.

Each of these team members has a unique background that positions them to provide top-notch support to our ever-growing customer and partner base. With their widespread expertise, DPR is better equipped to champion innovative tools, strategies and programs that make homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone.

So, without further ado, let’s meet these three members of the DPR team!

Kris Case, DPA Program Specialist 

Kris has been with DPR for more than 12 years and previously worked as a writer reviewing records and concerts for music publications and contributing interviews, advertorials and feature articles to The Arabian Horse Times, an Arabian horse publication.

She also worked for Neodata/Centrobe, a marketing communications services firm that integrated with E.D.S., making it one of the world’s largest direct marketing services companies. In her role as an account manager in the company’s publishing fulfillment division, she worked with clients like Conde Nast Publications, Meredith Corporation, US News and World Report and the United States Postal Service. 

At DPR, Kris works with management to organize and administer various company initiatives, taking full advantage of her skills in qualitative and quantitative research. Kris earned her degree in political science from Middle Tennessee State University.

What’s a personal accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?

I enjoy helping, healing, training and working with animals, especially those that have been abused, injured, or are fearful with no experience with humans, including wild horses that were captured by the Bureau of Land Management. 

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off work?

I enjoy playing with my Chihuahua and re-watching Game Of Thrones episodes for the hundredth time.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? Or, what is the best place you’ve visited and why?

If I could choose to travel anywhere, it would be to Ireland. I’d love to walk around all the historical places and see what it feels like to be there. The best place I’ve visited/lived is the Santa Ynez Valley in California. It’s beautiful and felt like heaven to me.

Adam Goodman, Software Engineer

Adam Goodman is a skilled software engineer who helps keep our technology up and running smoothly for consumers and business partners. As a full-stack developer, Goodman can build both the front end (the parts of a website a user sees and interacts with) and the back end of a website (the behind-the-scenes data storage and processing). These two areas of web development require different skill sets. Adam brings both to the equation as well as being well-versed in Ruby on Rails, a server-side web application framework.

Adam has been with DPR for two years. He graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics in 2015 and is currently pursuing his Master of Science from Kennesaw State University.

What’s a personal accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?

Teaching myself programming and making a career out of it. 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I enjoy the freedom I have here to be creative and solve problems independently. 

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off work? 

I like to do a morning workout, and then it’s off to the golf course or beach. Preferably both! I also enjoy basketball.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? Or, what is the best place you’ve visited and why?

My favorite travel experiences were driving from Connecticut to Florida every fall semester during college with my dad and stopping all along the East Coast to visit different gyms and golf courses.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

Super speed for sure. There are never enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do.

What’s your dream house?

It would be on a private lot, with a wraparound porch and an ocean view. Also, an indoor golf simulator.

Tracy McIntosh, Business Coordinator

Tracy brings a unique skillset to the DPR team, with an extensive background in planning, designing, coordinating and running events of all types including large-scale corporate events, weddings and more.

“These previous experiences have helped me tremendously with my role at DPR,” Tracy explains. Specifically, she says, in those roles she learned to help people through her creativity and organizational skills. “I genuinely want to provide outstanding customer care. Helping others is a major component for any job I’ve ever had and I love that I’ve gotten to do that with lenders, agents and homebuyers here,” she says.

Tracy has been with DPR for about two years. In her role as business coordinator, she is responsible for organizing, managing and administering various interdepartmental tasks and technologies.  

What are your hobbies? 

Coming from an event background with an innate desire to be creative, I love planning and hosting themed parties. I also developed a passion for poetry when I was in high school and still to this day enjoy writing my own pieces as well as reading others.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

There’s so much to love about working here at DPR, but nothing will ever top how much I love helping others here. I grew up in a family that wasn’t wealthy and struggled to make ends meet, but excelled in providing love. I see my family in every deserving homebuyer wanting desperately to get into a home but doesn’t have the wealth to back it up. I’m fortunate enough to work with an extraordinarily talented, intelligent team of people who all have giving hearts. Being surrounded by them helps me to provide the type of customer service and attention that’s important to me. 

What’s your dream house?

Entertaining and having a welcoming home is important to me. My dream house would be large enough that I could host gatherings with family and friends. It would be at the beach with views of the ocean and I’d be able to watch and hear the waves. I dream of watching the sunset at the end of each day as I walk the beach and feel the tide rush against my feet.

Interested in learning more about our all-star team? Meet three more DPR VIPs — Amy, Rick and William!

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Down Payment Resource has crafted tools to help mortgage lenders, real estate agents and multiple listing services build relationships with homebuyers by connecting them with the homebuyer assistance they desire.

To explore the best option for your business, contact us.

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is committed to supporting the overwhelming consumer demand for homebuyer assistance and the increasing popularity of our tools with lenders, agents and listing sites. This month, we’d like to introduce you to Amy Giacci, Rick Keffer and William Medina who work behind the scenes to collect and manage the very detailed eligibility data and program requirements in our database.

Amy, Rick and William all share the job title of “DPA Program Specialist.” They are our boots on the ground — contacting thousands of nonprofits, municipalities and program providers throughout the year to keep our comprehensive database of homebuyer assistance programs up to date.

Each of these team members has a unique background that positions them to provide top-notch support to our ever-growing customer base. With their widespread expertise, DPR is better equipped to champion innovative tools, strategies and programs that make homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone.

So, without further ado, let’s meet these three members of the DPR team!

Amy Giacci, DPA Program Specialist

Amy Giacci of Cincinnati, OH, has been with Down Payment Resource for two and a half years and in the mortgage industry for 20. 

Amy kicked off her career in the appraisal world and hasn’t looked back since. Her next role was at First Financial Bank as a mortgage closer, where she assembled, inspected and prepared all of the documentation needed to complete the mortgage loan process, followed by time at Centex, where she was promoted to loan processor.

She then moved to Fifth Third Bank where she stayed for more than a decade, holding progressive roles from processor to credit bureau governance specialist and FCRA remediation specialist.

With Amy on board, we’re confident that DPR will continue making homeownership more accessible and affordable for everyone. 

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? 

“My husband just became a pilot and our first bucket list item is to fly through the northern lights in Alaska. I also visited Holland (Amsterdam) for a month as I became friends with an exchange student in high school who lives there. The architecture and the people are lovely. The city was clean and well taken care of, and the tulips are a sight to see when in bloom. We also took a trip to Germany and Paris, France. It was quite an experience.”

What do you do for fun? 

“I enjoy spending time with the ones I love — our three babies (dogs — all pitbulls, I’m an advocate), family and friends. Just being together is one of my favorite things to do; it never matters what we are doing. I am also all about the pool, the hot tub, the beach. All water activities make me super happy and keep me sane.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

“I enjoy being a part of helping people who may not have been able to become homeowners without DPA. We are helping to make their dreams come true! I’ve always loved the purchase process and the joy it brings when people are buying a home. [Homebuyers] truly appreciate a professional walking them through this intimidating process and keeping them informed.”

Rick Keffer, DPA Program Specialist

Rick lives in Zion, IL, and is a financial services project and technology professional with broad experience in all aspects of mortgage banking, project management and strategic implementation. His direct experience lies in application development and maintenance, mortgage product implementation and maintenance, and project management.

He has been with DPR for nearly five years. Prior to that, he worked at PNC Mortgage where he was responsible for maintaining all aspects of PNC’s government product line including FHA, VA and Rural Housing products. He also spent 15 years at JP Morgan Chase (formerly Washington Mutual) in progressive positions of responsibility.

In his time off, he enjoys visiting the larger farmers markets in the area and hiking the prairie or Lake Michigan shores. He enjoys hanging out with his daughter, going to see concerts, and cooking, particularly Italian food and recipes that are “more involved and time-consuming.”  

Rick holds a master’s degree in labor relations and a bachelor’s degree in economics, both from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

How would you describe your dream house?

“A single story ranch style home with enough yard space for a flower and vegetable garden. Enough square footage to be roomy but small enough to be energy/water-efficient.” 

What are your hobbies? 

“Gardening and cooking. I’m a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener, which for me involves teaching grade school children how to plant, maintain and harvest vegetables at day camp in the summer (as a volunteer).” 

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?  

“The ability to make people judge each other as individuals and not members of a group, ethnicity, political persuasion, etc. The world would be a much happier place.”

William Medina, DPA Program Specialist

As a DPA Program Specialist for DPR, William utilizes his mortgage industry and community outreach experience to build collaborative relationships with homeownership program providers in an effort to raise awareness and usage of their programs among lenders, real estate agents and consumers.

William, who resides in Albany, IN, has been with DPR for two and a half years. Prior to that, he was a community mortgage home loan specialist with German American and a relationship representative with Teachers Credit Union in New Albany, IL. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University, Northridge where he was High Gamma with Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

William sits on the advisory board of Volunteers of America Mid-States and is a Grant Committee Member of the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, which addresses the diverse needs of the residents of Floyd County, Indiana.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

“Connecting with local program providers and learning about their experience within the affordable housing space.”

What’s a dish or meal that you absolutely love? 

“I absolutely love pupusas!”

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off work? 

“My wife and I start our day with a coffee run and spend time with our two dogs, Dean and Clark.”

Interested in learning more about our all-star team? Meet three more DPR VIPs — Kris, Adam and Tracy!

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Down Payment Resource has crafted tools to help mortgage lenders, real estate agents and multiple listing services build relationships with homebuyers by connecting them with the homebuyer assistance they desire.

To explore the best option for your business, contact us.

Four times a year, we release a Homeownership Program Index (HPI) report where we delve into the data collected from our DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® database to unveil significant developments and emerging patterns in homebuyer assistance programs across the United States.

In our Q2 2023 HPI report, we have uncovered that for the second consecutive quarter, there has been a 0.5% increase in the availability of homebuyer assistance programs aimed at helping individuals finance their dream homes. This brings the total number of programs to an impressive 2,373. Moreover, as of July 3, 2023, a substantial 82.5% of these programs continue to offer funds to eligible homebuyers.

Breakdown of new programs

Here is a breakdown of the homebuyer assistance programs added last quarter:

• By assistance type: Similar to last quarter, community seconds saw the largest growth, with 24 programs added. Four grants, four combined assistance programs, one deed program, seven BMR/resale programs and six MCCs were also among the programs added.
• By region: There was a 1.18% increase in statewide programs, a 1.73% increase in programs supporting home purchases in defined locales and a 6.85% increase in nationwide and multi-state programs. Programs supporting homebuyers in New Mexico saw the largest percent growth of any state, increasing by 21.43%.
• By funding source: Florida’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) programs saw the largest cumulative growth overall with 17 programs added, a quarterly increase of 18.09%. Other funding sources that saw a notable increase were Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) block grants, which increased by 4.3%, and assistance backed by the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB), which increased by 4.76%.

New program trends

• Municipality administered programs: Municipalities support 42.2% of all programs, more than any other type of homebuyer assistance administrator.  

The City of Madison’s Home-Buy The American Dream (HBAD) program provides up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a deferred, silent second mortgage. This means the loan does not have to be repaid until certain conditions are met, such as selling the home or refinancing the loan. Because HBAD is also a shared appreciation program, once the loan is due, borrowers must repay the same percentage of the home value at sale as DPA borrowed at the time of purchase. While the program doesn’t limit home purchase price, borrower household income must be 80% HUD AMI or less.

• Florida State Housing Initiatives Partnerships (SHIP) programs: The number of SHIP-funded programs increased by 18.09%, a dramatic increase over the last quarter.

Clay County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program provides people purchasing a home in Clay County, Fla. up to $15,000 in DPA in the form of a 30-year deferred, forgivable soft second. Provided all program conditions are met, borrowers do not have to repay the loan at the end of its term. Borrowing households may earn up to 140% of HUD AMI. Purchase price limits apply.

• Continued incentivized program growth:  There was a 4.75% increase in incentivized programs — which are geared toward public servants such as teachers and protectors, Native Americans, people with disabilities and veterans, among others. 

The City of Canton Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $15,000 of DPA to people buying homes in Canton, Ga. The program takes the form of a five-year deferred, forgivable soft second mortgage, which means that borrowers do not have to make payments and the loan will be fully forgiven at the end of its term provided that requirements, such as maintaining owner occupancy, are met. Borrowers may earn up to 80% of HUD AMI. Purchase price limits are $333,000 for existing homes and $361,000 for new construction homes.

Breakdown of all programs

Overall, the breakdown of homebuyer assistance programs available by type was unchanged from the previous quarter.

• Of the 2,373 homebuyer assistance programs:
  • 82.5% of all programs are currently funded.
  • 8.8% of all programs are currently inactive.
  • 3.1% of all programs have a waitlist for funding.
  • 5.6% percent of all programs are temporarily suspended.
• 75.3% of programs in the database are for down payment or closing cost assistance.
• 10.0% of programs are first mortgages.
• 3.6% of programs are Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs).

A complete, state-by-state list of homebuyer assistance programs can be viewed here. Homebuyer assistance programs that waive the first-time homebuyer requirement for veterans and military personnel are tracked as two separate programs to report on dedicated assistance for military buyers.

You can also download the full infographic.

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Down Payment Resource has crafted tools to help mortgage lenders, real estate agents and multiple listing services build relationships with homebuyers by connecting them with the homebuyer assistance they desire.

To explore the best option for your business, contact us.

Homeownership provides people with disabilities a sense of independence and empowerment. It gives them greater control over their living environment, and makes it possible to invest in long-term accessibility modifications that tailor their homes to meet their unique needs. This autonomy fosters self-confidence, dignity and a greater sense of belonging within the community.

While people with disabilities may be eligible for any of the 2,300-plus U.S. homebuyer assistance programs, there are 23 programs offering up to $109,986 in assistance that are specifically designed to help individuals with disabilities purchase a home.

In celebration of Disability Pride Month, join us as we spotlight a few of the programs that serve as stepping stones towards homeownership for people with disabilities.

Washington State Housing Finance Commission: HomeChoice Down Payment Assistance Program

The HomeChoice down payment assistance (DPA) program offers up to $15,000 in DPA for low-to-moderate income people with disabilities or people who have a family member with a disability living with them. HomeChoice DPA takes the form of a deferred, second mortgage with a 1.00% interest rate. The program is designed to be layered with other WSHFC affordable first mortgage programs.

Borrowers leveraging HomeChoice DPA must complete a WSHFC-sponsored homebuyer education seminar and finance through a participating lender. 
Full program details can be found on the WSHFC website.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Specially Adapted Housing Grant

The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant provides funds for veterans and service members with service-related disabilities to buy, build or modify an existing home to meet their accessibility needs and live more independently. Qualifying applicants can receive up to $109,986 in funds, which do not need to be repaid. SAH grant recipients who are temporarily living in a family member’s home that requires accessibility modifications may also be eligible for a Temporary Residency Adaption grant. 

Visit the SAH website for more information. 

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development: HomeAbility

The HomeAbility program provides up to $45,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for Maryland homebuyers with disabilities and their family caregivers. The assistance takes the form of a second mortgage with a 0% interest rate that is deferred for the life of the loan. The HomeAbility program must be combined with an MDHCD first mortgage program. To be eligible, borrower income may not exceed 80% AMI. 

Visit the MDHCD website for more information and eligibility requirements. 

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority: Home Of Your Own 

The CHFA Home of Your Own (HOYO) program provides below market rate first mortgage loans to people with disabilities and households with a family member who has a disability. The program can be used to purchase single-family homes, some 2-4 unit homes, townhouses and condominiums. Borrowers may layer HOYO with a CHFA DAP, a DPA loan, which offers reduced rates for people with disabilities. 

Full program details can be found on the My Place CT website.

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Want to discover how to connect homebuyers with disabilities with accessible homeownership opportunities?

We’re here to help.

In celebration of National Homeownership Month, we’re sharing the heartwarming story of Jackie, a resilient and determined individual who overcame numerous challenges to achieve her dream of homeownership with financial support from down payment assistance (DPA) programs. Her journey serves as a shining example of how homebuyer assistance can transform lives and provide stability for those who need it most.

Jackie’s Homeownership Journey

Jackie’s homeownership journey began back in December 2019, when she made the difficult decision to transition her ailing mother —  whom she had moved into a larger, accessible home to care for — into an assisted nursing facility. Unable to afford the rent alone, she was unhoused until she was invited to move in with a friend.

As Jackie began to search for a new place to call home, she quickly realized that rent in her area had been skyrocketing even faster than the price of houses, making homeownership a more desirable option because it would provide her with long-term housing cost stability and the benefit of earned equity. Then and there, Jackie made the decision to buy a home of her own. 

Jackie faced numerous financial obstacles to homeownership, which she overcame with hard work and resolve. After a divorce that left her with no credit score because everything had been in her ex-husband’s name, she built her credit by securing a starter credit card and diligently paying off her entire balance each month. She was also able to increase her income by securing a work-from-home role during the early days of COVID.

Jackie’s homebuying journey took a significant turn when her friend suggested she reach out to Pasco County about homebuyer assistance programs. After meeting the benchmark program requirements of building up $6,000 in savings and completing the Suncoast Housing Connections homebuyer education course, Pasco County provided Jackie with a list of real estate agent and lending professional partners who could help her complete her journey.

That’s how Jackie met Pam Marron, a mortgage broker with Innovative Mortgage Services, Inc. who is passionate about connecting homebuyers with affordable financing programs. Determined to help Jackie realize her dream of homeownership, Pam leveraged Pasco County Community Development’s DPA offering with Freddie Mac’s BorrowSmart℠ program via United Wholesale Mortgage to secure affordable financing.

Ultimately, Jackie was able to secure $15,000 in DPA from Pasco County in the form of a 0% interest “silent second” loan, which she will repay over time. Additionally, Jackie received a $2,500 grant from Freddie Mac, which is completely forgiven. These combined efforts made homeownership a reality for Jackie, providing her with a sense of freedom, independence, and the knowledge that every mortgage payment contributes to building equity.

Happily Ever After

Thanks to homebuyer support from Freddie Mac and Pasco County Community Development, and the dedication of industry professionals like Pam Marron, Jackie was able to overcome the obstacles standing between her and affordable homeownership. Her story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the incredible impact that can be made when individuals, communities, and organizations come together to create pathways to affordable and sustainable homeownership.

Want to uplift aspiring homebuyers like Jackie in your area? We’re here to help.

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is growing to support the overwhelming demand for homebuyer assistance and the increasing popularity of our tools for lenders, agents and listing sites. To keep up with this incredible growth, we’ve added four fantastic housing finance professionals to our team who are as knowledgeable about down payment assistance (DPA) as they are passionate.

These new team members will play a vital role in strengthening our relationships with housing finance agencies (HFAs), providing top-notch support to our ever-growing customer base and expanding our footprint. With their widespread expertise, DPR will be better equipped to champion innovative tools, strategies and programs that make homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone.

So, without further ado, let’s meet the newest members of our DPR family:

Tani Lawrence, Enterprise Sales Executive 

As DPR’s enterprise sales executive, Tani Lawrence plays a vital part in identifying sales opportunities, driving business growth and expanding our market share. Tani’s mortgage technology sales prowess, business development expertise and remarkable talent for negotiation make her an invaluable asset to the DPR team. 

Before joining DPR, Tani was a senior business development executive at DocProbe, where she successfully managed the sales of their outsource solution for trailing docs. Her outstanding skills and dedication led her to secure the company’s largest client, boosting DocProbe’s revenue and market share in multiple regions. 

Tani’s journey also led her to work as a business development officer at Optimal Blue, where she specialized in their Comergence risk management toolset and ensured top-notch service delivery. Additionally, Tani was a regional account manager for VidVerify, a platform that automates the delivery of informative video messages throughout the loan process. 

A true go-getter, Tani even launched her own venture called Short Sale Execs. Through this consultancy, Tani leveraged her deep mortgage expertise to help buyers, sellers and agents close deals. Now, that’s impressive dedication and skill!

With Tani on board, we’re confident that DPR will continue making homeownership more accessible and affordable for everyone.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

“The best part of my job is meeting and strategizing with industry professionals to reach our common goal of bringing down payment assistance programs to aspiring homeowners.”

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off work? 

“Walking somewhere in nature is my favorite way to unwind during my time off.”

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? Or, what is the best place you’ve visited and why? 

“I would travel to Kennebunkport, Maine. This beautiful area truly lives up to its slogan: “Kennebunkport — the way life should be!’”

Angel Romero, HFA Relationship Manager

As our new HFA relationship manager, Angel is tasked with building and maintaining DPR’s relationships with hundreds of local HFAs nationwide. She has a natural talent for fostering partnerships and developing strategies to ensure down payment and homebuyer assistance programs reach underserved communities that need them the most. 

Before joining DPR, Angel was AVP, post-closing manager and resident housing program expert at Cherry Creek Mortgage. Her expertise and hard work played a significant role in the company’s expansion into new markets with help from DPR’s robust DPA Directory.

Angel’s deep mortgage industry experience, strategic mindset and passion for creating opportunities for underserved communities make her an invaluable part of the DPR team. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Angel as she works tirelessly to empower more people on their journey to homeownership!

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

“What I enjoy most about my job is knowing that I am helping to get down payment assistance information out to the masses. By helping someone purchase a home that wouldn’t be possible without DPA, I get to play a role in fulfilling their homeownership dreams.”

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off work? 

“I love to spend my days off of work with my family. I don’t really care what we do, as long as we are spending time together.”

What are your hobbies? 

“My hobbies are spending time with my grandchildren and working in my garden.”

Keith Futrell, DPA Program Specialist

DPA Program Specialist Keith Futrell draws on nearly two decades of housing finance expertise as he advances DPA awareness and participation among current and prospective DPR partners. 

Keith previously worked at Allen Tate Companies as an underwriter, reviewing and issuing an impressive average of two or more loans per day. In recognition of his exceptional skills, Keith was named the MVP of Underwriting — not once but twice, in 2019 and 2021! Before that, Keith flawlessly managed and maintained a pipeline of over 50 conventional, FHA, USDA and VA loans per month as a mortgage loan processor for First Financial Services, Inc. 

Keith also rocked it as an account executive at Ameritrust, where he maintained strong relationships with mortgage brokers and educated them about non-conforming loan products. Keith’s dedication allowed him to consistently surpass the company’s sales expectations for closed loans. 

Keep an eye out for more exciting updates and insights from Keith as he continues to positively impact the world of housing finance!

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

“Every day brings an opportunity to help someone and educate someone on the biggest purchase they will ever make, and to see that dream come true is extremely exciting.”

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off work? 

“I like to spend time off work with my family, whether it’s relaxing on a beach or competing in sports. I’m a big fan of the Carolina Panthers, so football season brings that passion.”

What is the best place you’ve visited and why?

“The best destination I’ve visited is St. John, the smallest of the United States’ three Virgin Islands. The landscape was absolutely beautiful, and swimming with the turtles in Maho Bay is something I will never forget.”

Kathy Gault, DPA Program Specialist

Give a warm welcome to Kathy Gault, one of our incredible new DPA program specialists. Using her extensive understanding of compliance guidelines, DPA programs and affordable lending processes, Kathy will provide DPR clients and partners with custom DPA insights and affordable lending strategies.

Before joining DPR, Kathy coordinated Mountain West Financial, Inc.’s products and affordable housing programs. She was responsible for curating the lender’s impressive roster of DPA programs, as well as training loan origination teams to wield these programs for borrowers’ benefit. Kathy also served as a senior business development officer at Arrowhead Credit Union, where she honed her skills in cross-selling, business development, loss mitigation and portfolio management. 

What sets Kathy apart is her unwavering commitment to community-first values. With Kathy’s expertise, DPR can provide our partners and clients with even more tailored guidance to navigate and excel in the complex world of DPA programs.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

“The best part of my job is knowing that at the end of the day, what I’ve done has possibly helped a deserving family make the dream of homeownership come true.”

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off work? 

“I like to spend my time off shopping, relaxing or taking a day trip — not necessarily in that order.”

Describe your dream house. 

“Oh, this one is easy: one that is self-cleaning!”

With these four new talented hires — Kathy, Keith, Angel and Tani — the DPR team is stronger than ever. To witness firsthand how our DPA tools can elevate your affordable lending initiatives, request a demo today!

DPR analysis reveals that 89% of HAR listings are eligible for at least one homebuyer assistance program

The Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) has implemented Down Payment Resource (DPR) to bring Greater Houston area homebuyers’ attention to homebuyer assistance programs in the wake of declining housing affordability. Data indicates that homebuyer assistance programs can be especially impactful in the Greater Houston area, where 89% of listings are eligible for assistance and HAR reports that only 40% of households could afford to buy a home in Q4 2022.

HAR is the second largest local real estate trade association in the nation, supporting more than 49,000 Houston real estate professionals. Notably, the organization has exceptionally strong engagement with Houston residents, evidenced by its multiple listing site’s (MLS) status as the only local website to rank as a top 20 real estate website in the U.S. According to DPR analysis, 70 homebuyer assistance programs are available across HAR listings, including more than 50 down payment assistance programs, as well as numerous affordable first mortgage programs, mortgage credit certificates (MCCs) and combined assistance programs.

HAR’s MLS integration with DPR enables consumers to search for properties that are eligible for homebuyer assistance, and it prominently flags assistance-eligible listings. The integration also makes it easy for Realtors to learn about homebuyer assistance programs and locate assistance-eligible listings that meet their clients’ needs. Additionally, HAR members have access to DPR’s library of marketing resources, which helps them raise community awareness about homebuyer assistance programs that can make homeownership more affordable.

“HAR has a longstanding track record of investing in its Realtor members and the communities it serves, which is reflected in its local reputation as a trusted source of housing information,” said DPR Founder and CEO Rob Chrane. “Its production of a Housing and Rental Affordability Index is especially commendable because it exposes the financial burden residents face to obtain housing at the county and city levels. HAR’s commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of its market has guided its partnership with DPR, which has the potential to connect thousands of Houstonians with the stability and wealth-building benefits of homeownership.”

“HAR strives to equip the community and members with resources that help homebuyers enjoy sustainable homeownership in our hometown,” said HAR Chair Cathy Treviño. “We are excited to bring affordable homeownership opportunities to light and help more people achieve their dreams of homeownership.”

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Down Payment Resource has crafted tools to help mortgage lenders, real estate agents and multiple listing services build relationships with homebuyers by connecting them with the homebuyer assistance they desire.

To explore the best option for your business, contact us.