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

Downpayment Assistance Program for the First Time Home Buyers in North Carolina
In an attempt to contribute to the eradication of this problem, the North Carolina HFA has established the Downpayment Assistance Program for the First Time Home Buyers wherein they provide interest-free, deferred second mortgages up to $8,000 to cover the downpayment and closing costs of a chosen property.

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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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Keystone Government Loan Program for Homebuyers in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has been running the Keystone Government Loan Program in which it intends to provide first mortgage financing on loans that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, the Rural Development, and the Department of the Veterans' Affairs.

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Homeownership Program for First Time Homebuyers in Connecticut
The Connecticut Housing Finance Agency has established the Homeownership Program wherein it intends to provide reasonable home loans with below-market interest rates to tenants occupying publicly assisted housing who wish to transition from renting into homeownership.

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