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Zero Down Loans

By
Mortgage and Lending with Ann Arbor Mortgage

More and more of my clients in the Ann Arbor area are buying homes with no down payment loans.  In the 1990's it was very rare for someone to buy a home in Washtenaw County without some sort of down payment (except for VA loans which always offered a no down payment loan).  In 1996 we were able to offer our clients in Michigan a government sponsored loan for rural properties that would allow 100 % financing.  We advertised the program and were able to help a lot of first time home buys buy homes with only a few hundred dollars of there own money.  In 2006 45% of first time home buyers used a no down payment loan when purchasing their first home in the United Sates, up from 25% in 2005. 

There are a lot of mixed feelings on zero down loans within the real estate and lending industries.  Some view it as a way to get more people into homes and there for strengthen the economy (President Clinton really pushed the goal of increased home ownership to improve the economy).  Others are concerned that if home buyers don't make a financial contribution to the purchase of there new home they will be more likely to let it be foreclosed on if there finances go south.  Either way I believe zero down loans are here to stay and in fact will become the norm for first time home buyers in the coming.  For more information on zero down loans on your first home or your fifth go to http://www.annarborfinancing.com/.

 

Comments (5)

Eddy Martinez
Nationwide Funding Group - Highland Park, CA
Here in california everybody wants 100 percent financing. When evaluating a borrower i make sure that they can afford the payment and have adequate reserves in the bank.
Dec 11, 2006 05:54 AM
Anonymous
Andy PIper

Hello Dave,  Your blog looks great.  Andy Piper http://www.piperpartners.com

 

Dec 11, 2006 06:47 AM
#2
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Why do folks think something is wrong when folks buy their home with 100% loans.  If they default, they lose everything.

  • Is it O.K. for folks to borrow or get grants for their college education??
  • Is it O.K. for folks to buy stocks on margin??
  • Is it O.K. for folks to buy an expensive automobile with no money down??

There seems to be some sort of class distinction for folks who buy a home with 100% loans.  They pay taxes.  They use the mortgage loan interest deduction.  They move into areas with better public schools.  They now have an "estate" of real property that will grow in value and they will move into the middle class of America. 

I'm all for it.  I've seen enough foreclosures of folks who made down payments.  Folks with good credit will make their payments.  They care as much for their good credit as for their real estate.  Besides, they are paying a premium for those 100% loans. 

 

Dec 11, 2006 07:01 AM
Kaushik Sirkar
Call Realty, Inc. - Chandler, AZ

It totally depends on the person!  Individual situation.  Would they rather invest the money?  Are they more comfortable with a larger cash reserve?  Can they handle the larger monthly payment?  Is it a flat/appreciating/depreciating market?

Also, I suppose the product wasn't really advertised very much prior to 2000?

Dec 11, 2006 10:26 AM
David Crisp
Ann Arbor Mortgage - Ann Arbor, MI

I really love the fact that people can buy a home today without a down payment.  For many people are able to buy because of these programs I believe it is a catalyst for a stronger personal financial foundation for them.  Home ownership has been linked to better job performance, better work attendance, and a more financially responsible lifestyle.  I understand the argument that people are more likely to default on a loan were they have no financial investment (per say) but I also believe the benefits of home ownership far out weight the negative. 

www.annarborfinacing.com

Dec 12, 2006 07:49 AM