Rhode Island down payment assistance

RIHousing 10kDPA

RIHousing’s 10kDPA program is a $10,000 deferred down payment assistance loan for first-time homebuyers that doesn’t require monthly payments until the home is no longer your primary residence. That means you can enjoy interest-free assistance until you sell or move out of your home or refinance your mortgage.

To be eligible for the 10kDPA program, you must have a minimum credit score of 660 and complete a homebuyer education course. You’ll also need to get your first mortgage through RIHousing (or any participating lender) and meet purchase price and household income limits, which are the same as those for the First-Time Homebuyer Loan program.

FirstGenHomeRI

If you’re the first member of your family to buy a home, or if your parents/guardians ever lost your family home to a foreclosure or short sale and don’t own a home now, you might be able to qualify for up to $25,000 of assistance for a down payment and closing costs. It’s part of the agency’s pilot program, FirstGenHomeRI. The funds are packaged as a zero-interest, forgivable loan, and if you remain in the home for at least five years, you won’t have to pay the money back. To qualify, you’ll need a minimum credit score of 660, and you’ll need to meet purchase price and income limits.

Additionally, the program is only open to current residents of Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Providence (excluding residents in zip code 02906) and a specific census tract in Newport, although they can buy a home anywhere in the state. The funds for this program are available on a first come, first served basis.

RIHousing Extra Assistance

First-time homebuyers in Rhode Island might also qualify for down payment assistance up to $15,000 or 6 percent of their home’s purchase price, whichever is less, through RIHousing’s Extra Assistance loan. The interest rate on this second mortgage, in most cases, is the same as the one on your first mortgage, with no extra fees. To qualify, you must:

• Be a first-time buyer taking out an RIHousing first mortgage
• Intend to occupy the home as your primary residence
• Have a minimum 620 credit score
• Complete a homebuyer education course

Other Rhode Island homebuyer assistance programs

FirstHomes Tax Credit

In Rhode Island, the FirstHomes Tax Credit offers first-time homebuyers (or those buying in specific targeted areas) a mortgage credit certificate (MCC). The MCC is a federal tax credit equal to as much as 20 percent of your mortgage interest, up to $2,000 per year. You can leverage the MCC for as long as you have your mortgage and as long as you live in the home as your primary residence.

To obtain an MCC, you must pay a $100 reservation fee. There might be other fees, as well. You must also meet household income limits ($112,555 for a one- or two-person household and $129,438 for a household of three or more) and the home’s price can’t exceed more than $546,752. You can use the tax credit in conjunction with an RIHousing mortgage or via any mortgage with an approved lender.

Keep in mind that while this tax credit can help you qualify for a loan and save you money on your tax bill, you could be subject to a federal recapture tax if you sell your home within nine years at a profit, and are now earning more than the household income limit.

Other first-time homebuyer loan programs

Along with RIHousing’s programs, first-time homebuyers in Rhode Island might also  qualify for other types of affordable mortgages, including FHA, VA or USDA loans. These can be ideal if you don’t have a substantial down payment or have a lower credit score. There are also specialized programs geared towards certain types of borrowers, such as teachers or police offers. Head over to Bankrate’s guide to first-time homebuyer loans and programs to see what options might be available to you.

Get started

If you’re interested in an RIHousing mortgage program, you can visit the agency’s website to learn more and browse the homebuyer education class schedule to sign up for the next available course. If you want to apply for one of these programs, check out this list of mortgage lenders, who can help guide you through the process. Remember: No matter which mortgage you ultimately get, interest rates and fees vary by lender, so it’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes and compare loan offers carefully before committing to one. If you see an especially attractive interest rate, be sure to lock it in — rates are on the rise, so waiting could cost you.