Definition and Example of Chase Homebuyer Grant

The Chase Homebuyer Grant helps eligible homebuyers purchase a primary residence by providing up to $5,000 toward closing costs and down payment.1 To be eligible, homebuyers are required to purchase a home in certain geographic locations. Additionally, the grant can only be applied to certain loan types.

How the Chase Homebuyer Grant Works

Chase offers its Homebuyer Grant as part of its $30 billion commitment to advancing racial equity.2 The Chase Homebuyer Grant allows homebuyers in areas with low-homeownership rates to qualify for up to $5,000 to help cover closing costs and down payment on a primary residence. The home must be located in one of 6,700 minority communities.

The grant is first applied to mortgage discount points, which lowers your interest rate, monthly payment, and the overall interest paid on the mortgage over time. Any remaining grant funds are applied to fees, both Chase and non-Chase fees, and finally, your down payment. If you already have a down payment, the remaining amount can be used toward closing costs.

Qualifying Mortgages

Mortgages that qualify for the grant include:

• Chase DreaMaker Mortgage: This is a first-time homebuyer mortgage designed for low- to moderate-income borrowers.
• Standard Agency: A low-down payment option for first-time buyers that follows Fannie Mae guidelines.
• FHA loans: These are federally insured loans for borrowers with low credit scores, low or moderate income, and limited savings.
• VA loans: These are mortgage loans offered to active-duty and veteran military service members and some surviving spouses.

Buyers purchasing a home with the income-based DreaMaker Mortgage can qualify for an additional $500 benefit by enrolling in a qualifying homebuyer course—a requirement for first-time homebuyers applying for a DreaMaker mortgage.3

Alternatives to Chase Homebuyer Grant

There are many first-time homebuyer assistance programs available if you're looking for a home in a location that doesn't qualify for this one, or if you prefer another lender. Here a few to consider.

HomePath Ready Buyer

HomePath Ready is a grant program offered by Fannie Mae for homebuyers purchasing a HomePath property. The program provides assistance with closing costs up to 3% of the loan amount. Homebuyers are required to take an online homebuyer education course to participate.5

Freddie Mac Home Possible

The Home Possible program from Freddie Mac gives low- and very low-income buyers help with purchasing a home, requiring just 3% down and allowing for more flexible rules. For instance, with the Home Possible program, home buyers can have co-borrowers who don't live in the home, and they can use a wide variety of sources for the down payment funds.6

Freddie Mac HomeSteps

Another Freddie Mac program, called HomeSteps, offers a way for buyers to find spruced-up foreclosures or bank-owned homes. HomeSteps ensures that the homes being offered are clean and the lawns maintained, and forces investors to wait 20 days before competing for the homes to give people a chance to buy.

HomeSteps also offers optional financing for people in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.7

HUD Good Neighbor Next Door

The Good Neighbor Next Door program gives teachers, firefighters, and emergency responders a hefty discount on homes in certain revitalization areas. In exchange for a promise to stay in the home for three years, eligible home buyers can get 50% off the list price of the home. The discount is in the form of a silent second mortgage, so if you fulfill the program requirements, you don't need to pay it.8

National Homebuyers Fund

The National Homebuyers Fund grant covers down payment or closing costs up to 5% of the loan amount. You can use the grant toward the purchase or sale of a primary residence financed with an FHA, a VA, USDA, or conventional mortgage. You have to use a participating lender to qualify.9

State Down-Payment Assistance Programs

Many states have down-payment assistance programs available as grants or low- or no-down-payment loans. Programs and requirements vary by state. Some may have income limits, minimum credit score, and maximum debt-to-income ratio requirements. Check with your lender or your state housing authority to learn more about the options available in your state.

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