Matched savings and down payment assistance for qualified households.
Meet with a Portland Housing Center HomeBuying Specialist to find out what programs might be a good fit for you.
Loans
DEFERRED
TANDEM
A 2nd mortgage creates an additional lien on your property. Unless they are forgivable, these funds need to be paid back. Deferred loans are typically paid back on sale, refinance or transfer of a property, while tandem loans have a regular monthly payment similar to a first mortgage loan.
Benefits: Depending on the second loan product the use of a second loan may increase the overall amount you can spend on a home or allow you to avoid paying (sometimes costly) mortgage insurance on your first mortgage.
Downsides: These funds are required to be paid back either within a certain timeframe or upon sale/refinance of your home.
Grants
Grant funds typically are a gift you can use for down payment or closing costs that does not need to be paid back.
Benefits: Typically do not need to be paid back.
Downsides: Usually a much smaller dollar amount than a second mortgage. Some grants may require partial or complete repayment if certain requirements are not maintained (i.e. maintaining the home as your primary residence).
Matched Savings
A special type of account that allows you to save for home purchase and have those savings matched at a particular rate for use on your down payment and closing costs.
Benefits: These funds can help you significantly increase your own savings for down payment and closing costs while developing good savings habits. These funds typically do not require repayment.
Downsides: Matched savings programs typically require a long term savings commitment and tend to be better for people who are at least 6 months from being ready to purchase.
Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
Land Trusts create affordable homeownership by taking the cost of land out of the purchase price of a home. Home owners leasing CLT land enjoy the same benefits as other homeowners, but the CLT model controls the resale price of the home in order to preserve affordability for future borrowers.
Benefits: Land Trust homes typically exclude the price of the land, bringing the home price well below market value.
Downsides: The resale price of the home is typically controlled by the Land Trust to ensure continued affordability of the home.
Tax Incentives
MORTGAGE CREDIT CERTIFICATE (MCC)
Provides homebuyers with an annual tax credit, reducing federal income taxes owed as long as they have the loan and occupy the property.
Benefits: Reduces federal taxes to help homeowners more easily afford their monthly mortgage payments.
Downsides: The benefits of the program greatly depend on the homeowner’s tax situation. When considering the MCC a Certified Public Accountant should be consulted to determine if the program would be a benefit.
LIMITED TAX EXEMPTION
A 10 year limited tax exemption program that can only be used for new construction where the builder has secured a Limited Tax Exemption
Benefits: The homeowner pays taxes on the land for only 10 years, not on the value of the structural improvements.
Downsides: The program is only available on new construction where the builder has secured the Tax Exemption.
News
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Portland Housing Center
2 months ago
The First Thing To Know About Buying a House Without Putting Your Partner on the Deed
www.apartmenttherapy.com
I had been dating my boyfriend for about six months when I’d finally saved up enough money for a down payment. And though I could picture us eventually moving in together, we weren’t ready to make...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Portland Housing Center
2 months ago
How to Chop Remodeling Costs When Wood Prices Are High - NerdWallet
www.nerdwallet.com
When wood is expensive, use recycled materials, build cost variability into your contract and carefully budget to avoid overpaying for your remodel project.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Portland Housing Center
2 months ago
Ideally you should plan to attend your home inspection. ... See MoreSee Less
The One Thing Every Homebuyer Should Do Before a Home Inspection
www.apartmenttherapy.com
If you’ve never received a home inspection before, it might be jarring to open up a 60-plus page report that seems to be packed with doom and gloom. (Damaged foundation? Visible wall insulation? Yik...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Portland Housing Center
2 months ago
7 Home Insurance Myths Debunked
www.redfin.com
Find out 7 of the most common home insurance myths. From what your policy may cover to what you need coverage on, we'll separate fact from fiction.Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Portland Housing Center
2 months ago
Portland area homes for sale: The market ‘appears to be leveling out’ as prices jump $1,000 in a month
trib.al
Although sellers still have the advantage, "buyers can find some relief because there aren’t as many offers to compete with compared to earlier this year,” stated J. Lennox Scott of John L. Scott ...Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
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