Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Your First Home
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Lenders look at the overall debt-to-income ratio. They like to see that your monthly housing payment, plus everything on your credit report (including car payment, credit cards, etc.), is not more than 50% of your total gross monthly income (before taxes).

If you want to buy a $100,000 home, the monthly payment will be $1,000. Suppose you also pay another $500 each month in other bills that are on your credit report. That’s a monthly debt of $1,500. You would need to earn about twice that, or $3,000 a month, to qualify for the home loan, typically.

What type of credit do I need to have?

For an FHA loan, which is very popular, buyers generally need to have clean credit for the past 12 months, meaning that payments have been made on time. Many lenders don’t worry about credit problems that took place in the past, as long as the past year is good and clean.

What if I don’t have other loans or credit cards?

The FHA and other lenders are very willing to consider what they call “alternate lines of credit.” That is, any type of payment history that shows that the buyer is able to make regular payments on time. These can include items such as rent, utilities, telephone, car insurance and child-care payments. If a buyer can show clean, 12-month payment histories for at least 3 of these types of alternate lines of credit, that is generally good enough.

About The Author Damon Thomas is a contributor to www.casanuevahouston.com, a Houston-based company providing information for new home buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Your First Home
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Additional Resources

category - Home Buying Programs

Achieving the Dream Program for First Time Home Buyers in New York
One of the programs of the State of New York Mortgage Agency, is the Achieving the Dream Program wherein it seeks to provide eligible low income first time home buyers with really low down payment mortgage financing programs.

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Keystone Home Loan PLUS Program
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, otherwise termed as PHFA, is an independent agency established in year 1972 in an attempt to assist the provision of reasonable and affordable housing opportunities the elderly, persons and families of modest means, and people suffering from disabilities.

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First Time Homebuyer Programs in Maine
The first time homebuyer programs of MaineHousing are all especially designed to contribute to the achievement of its primary agency mission which is to "assist Maine people to obtain and maintain decent, safe, affordable housing and services suitable to their unique housing needs."

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Keystone Home Loan Program For First Time Homebuyers in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, more commonly referred to as PHFA, is an independent agency that was established in the year 1972 in an effort to contribute to the provision of reasonable and affordable housing opportunities the elderly, persons and families of modest means, and people suffering from disabilities.

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