• Property must be in Alabama
• Income can’t exceed the lesser of $130,600 or 80 percent of the area median income, depending on loan type
• Credit score must be 640 or higher, depending on loan type
• Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio must be 45 percent or lower
• Must complete a homeownership education course

Alabama down payment assistance

AHFA Step Up down payment assistance

Along with the 30-year mortgage, AHFA’s Step Up program includes the option for down payment assistance of up to 4 percent or $10,000, whichever is less. The assistance funds are available through a 10-year second mortgage. You’ll be able to pay for both loans with a single payment each month. To qualify, you must be eligible for (and participating in) the Step Up first mortgage program.

AHFA Affordable Income Subsidy Grant

AHFA’s Affordable Income Subsidy Grant provides a grant of .5 or  1 percent of your mortgage, depending on your income. The grant is only available to those obtaining an HFA Advantage conventional loan. You can combine the grant with the Step Up down payment assistance, as well as a mortgage credit certificate, to maximize your savings.

The requirements for the grant are the same as the Step Up program’s standards, but there are different income limits based on the county where your home is located.

Other Alabama homebuyer assistance programs

Mortgage credit certificate (MCC)

In addition to a competitive mortgage rate and down payment assistance, AHFA also offers a mortgage credit certificate (MCC) to first-time homebuyers.

An MCC is a tax credit, and in Alabama equals as much as 30 percent or 50 percent of your mortgage interest, depending on the size of your loan, up to a $2,000 each year — or, up to 20 percent of your mortgage interest if your loan is higher than $150,001. You can get the tax break immediately by revising your withholding on your W-4, or get it once a year through your federal income tax return.

You can combine the tax credit with AHFA’s Step Up program or any other 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage available through a participating lender.

To qualify:

• You must be a first-time homebuyer, meaning you haven’t owned a home in the last three years.
• The property must be in Alabama.
• You must meet income limits and purchase price limits.

Other first-time homebuyer loan programs

Along with state-level mortgage programs, first-time homebuyers in Alabama can leverage government-backed loans, such as FHA, VA and USDA mortgages, to get more favorable rates and terms. You can also ask your mortgage lender about other home loan and assistance options that might be available. For a comprehensive list of loans to consider, visit Bankrate’s first-time homebuyer loans and programs guide.

For other Alabama homeownership programs, visit HUD.gov.

Get started

If you’re ready to begin your homebuying journey, an approved Alabama Housing Finance Authority mortgage lender can be a good starting point. Keep in mind that while AHFA doesn’t offer mortgages directly, the agency works with over 50 lending institutions across the state. It’s smart to shop around and compare loan offers from several lenders to find the most competitive option for your situation.