Becoming a first-time homeowner is an important and exciting milestone to achieve. You saved for your down payment, called a realtor, and got preapproved for your home loan – but before you lay down your hard-earned money, find out if your state has any programs designed to help out first-time homebuyers. Arkansas has a variety of incentives, programs, and grants designed to make the home buying process easier and more attractive for property virgins.
Arkansas’s housing market is on the rise. Low cost of living and a lower than average unemployment rate have made Arkansas a popular choice for young professionals and families with career opportunities in the area. Arkansas is encouraging the influx of prospective homeowners with added incentives like the Arkansas Development Finance Authority’s (ADFA) Home to Own program and Mortgage Certificate Credit (MCC) tax credit program; the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) no down payment loans; and the Arkansas Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) low down payment loans.
Arkansas Grant and Assistance Programs
The ADFA’s Home to Own program is designed to aid first time buyers who meet the income requirements and other criteria. The ADFA can provide lowered interest rates to Home to Own participants through the sale of tax-exempt, mortgage-backed securities, or bonds. The program also offers down payment assistance up to $6,000 through financing a second mortgage. The loan can be put towards covering your down payment and closing costs. You must complete a homebuyer counseling course to be qualified to apply for the program.
The Home to Own program offers a low, 30-year fixed interest rate mortgage and no prepayment penalties. To qualify for Home to Own in Arkansas, you must meet the following requirements:
- Purchase price of the home can be no greater than $250,000
- Household income must not exceed the maximum income for your county and household size
- Debt to income ratio may not exceed 45%
- Credit score of at least 660 for FHA borrowers; or 640 for VA, RD, and FNMA HFA borrowers
- Must occupy home as primary residence
- No manufactured housing is eligible
The AFDA also has an MCC tax credit program available. Unlike the Home to Own program, the tax credit isn’t a loan – it’s an incentive that reduces the amount of federal income tax withheld from your paycheck every month. The MCC can save you up to $2,000 annually, which you can then put towards your monthly mortgage payments. To qualify for an MCC, you must:
- Be a first-time homebuyer
- Not exceed the maximum income limits
- Have a purchase price of $250,000 or less
- Use the home as your primary residence
You will claim your tax credit when you file your Form 1040 tax return annually. You must itemize your deductions and use Form 8396 “Mortgage Interest Credit” to claim your credit. To take immediate advantage of your tax credit, you can ask your employer to adjust your Form W-4 to reflect the expected amount of the credit. A “recapture tax” may apply if you sell the home within the first nine years of purchase.
You cannot use the MCC in conjunction with the Home to Own program – you may only use one of the AFDA programs. Talk to your lender, or a financial professional, about which option is best for your financial situation.
No Down Payment Loans Through the USDA
The Department of Agriculture backs zero down home loans for Arkansas homebuyers who want to move to rural areas. Areas like Little Rock and Conway are not eligible for the USDA loans. The requirements for the USDA zero down payment loans are as follows:
- Must be a US citizen
- 620 minimum credit score
- Mortgage insurance paid up front and monthly – up to 2% of your loan total
- Maximum income caps apply based on the county and your household size
- Must claim the home as your primary residence
If you qualify and your application is approved, your home can be financed up to 102% of its appraised value. This can be put towards the purchase price and closing costs of a home as well as repairs and renovation. If you or a member of your family have a physical disability, the loan money may also go toward installing accessibility equipment in your home.
Low Down Payment Loans Through the FHA
An Arkansas FHA loan is meant to help homebuyers without much to put down on their first home. FHA loans are backed by government funds and meant to help buyers with limited upfront funds. If your application is approved and you qualify for the loan, your required down payment will be lowered to 3.5% of the assessed value of your home. You may apply for a Fixed Rate, Adjustable Rate, or Hybrid Mortgage through the FHA program.
To be qualified you must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum credit score of 580 (may vary)
- Mortgage insurance paid upfront and monthly – up to 1.75% of the home’s value
- Pass a home inspection to verify that all property guidelines have been met
You don’t have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for an FHA loan, but they are popular with first-time buyers because of the low down payment and the seller paid closing cost option. FHA loan requirements and interest rates may vary by state and situation, so be sure to check out the Arkansas page of the FHA website. You will not apply directly to the FHA for your loan. The FHA works with approved banks and lenders to issue the loan, which is how the FHA can encourage banks to approve loans to higher risk borrowers like first time buyers with a small down payment.
There is no maximum sales price with an FHA loan. However, there is a maximum loan limit based on the county in which you are applying and the type of home you are purchasing (one-family or multiple-family).
If you have any questions about programs and incentives available to a first time home buyer in Arkansas, ask your Movoto realtor to put you in touch with a qualified lender or financial professional.
2 Point Highlight
Low cost of living and a lower than average unemployment rate have made Arkansas a popular choice for young professionals and families with career opportunities in the area. Arkansas is encouraging the influx of prospective homeowners with added incentives like the Arkansas Development Finance Authority’s (ADFA) Home to Own program and Mortgage Certificate Credit (MCC) tax credit program; the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) no down payment loans; and the Arkansas Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) low down payment loans.
