If you are saving for a new home, you may feel that it will take you
forever to come up with the cash necessary for the down payment and closing costs. Before you delay your purchase any longer, make sure you check into the latest low down and no down mortgage products. You may find that your dream is much closer to a reality than you imagined

If you have acceptable credit and a steady job, you may not need a lot of cash to purchase a home. Some loan programs still allow you to put as little as 0 down if you are a first time homebuyer or are a veteran. For example, in Vermont, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) still offers a 100% financing program when combined with Rural Development's mortgage insurance. If you are a veteran you can also obtain 100% financing through the VA's loan program. If you don't meet the above criteria you can purchase with as little as 3.5% down using Federal Housing Administration (FHA) financing and all of this money can even be a gift from family. By doing a pre-purchase credit check you can verify if you qualify for any of these programs or if you need to work on resolving any credit problems before you begin your search for a home. Buyers who thought they were years away from the purchase of a home are often pleasantly surprised to find that they don't have to wait to begin their search.