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John and Candi just purchased a home for
$178,000 with no down payment. They financed 100% of the
purchase price. Their real estate broker negotiated a $5,000
closing costs credit paid by the seller of the property, thereby
allowing them to move into their new home with just $1,327 cash
at closing. They are among a growing group of buyers who are
taking advantage of new, zero down payment home loans.
Zero down, 100% loans have been available to
active duty military and military veterans since World War II.
But buyers using conventional financing have traditionally been
required to make down payments of 5% to 20%, until now.
Lenders are now offering conventional loans
to everyone with no down payment. Zero down loans are especially
popular among baby-boomers who prefer to keep their assets in
higher returning investments like stock mutual funds or 401-K
plans instead of sinking thousands of dollars into dead equity
in their homes.
"Borrowers with good credit and modest
savings are the target market for zero down home loans,"
according to Barbara Sipos and Associates. "We're offering four
different zero down loan options to our buyers at interest rates
that compete with 5% and 10% down loans." "We have two
loans that allow the seller to pay all the buyer's closing
costs," Barbara said.
A select group of lenders are currently
offering 100% zero down loans while other mortgage bankers are
reluctant to offer such loans. Some banks will not acknowledge that such loans
exist, preferring to offer the standard 10% and 20% loans.
Zero down loans will not work for all home
buyers. Qualified buyers must have stable employment and
excellent credit. Late payments, judgments, or bankruptcy will
disqualify any prospective borrowers.
The newest zero down home loans are loans
above $240,000, a category of loans commonly referred to as
"Jumbo" loans within the mortgage banking industry.
"We've seen a lot of interest in zero down loans over
$300,000," said Barbara. "Buyers in this price range are
savvy, experienced buyers. They are looking for the largest tax
break they can get while keeping all of their assets working.
Zero down jumbo loans allow higher income buyers to get the
maximum tax break from owning an executive home, while keeping
their cash in stocks, mutual funds, 401-K programs or other,
more lucrative investments."
A consumer hot-line featuring a free recorded
message has been set up to give you more information on zero
down home loans at 1-800-579-3790, message #9201.
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