What Is Chfa Loan Colorado

Colorado Housing And Finance Authority

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, What do CHFA loans really cost the buyer??

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COLORADO HOUSING & FINANCE AUTHORITY

With CHFAs safe, secure home loan programs, you can live the life you always wantedowning a place of your own! CHFA has been providing home finance loans for 35 years. When you get a CHFA loan, you can be assured you will receive our excellent customer service, secure loan products, and educational resources.There is sure to be a CHFA loan product that meets your needs!

Homebuyer education requirements

CHFA requires education for all our programs. First time homebuyers applying for CHFAs programs can take a free, in-person First Time Homebuyer Education Class through a network of CHFA-approved education providers. Several providers also offer online classes in English and Spanish. The online class requires a follow-up one-on-one counseling session with the agency counselor. Online classes are available for a nominal fee, which counts toward the $1,000 minimum borrower contribution that CHFA requires. View a CHFA Homebuyer Education Class Schedule to see a current listing of classes, including which agencies are currently offering the online classes.

CHFA Advantage

CHFA SmartStep and CHFA SmartStep Plus

CHFA HomeOpener and CHFA HomeOpener Plus

CHFA Second Mortgage Loan

CHFA HomeAccess

CHFA SectionEight and SectionEight Plus Homeownership programs

CHFA Statewide Mortgage Credit Certificate

Advantages Of Chfa For First Time Home Buyer Colorado

CHFA is much more than a loan program and offers several advantages to first time home buyers in Colorado. CHFAs primary responsibility is helping Colorado residents achieve their dream of home ownership but program enrollees get much more out of a loan including:

Education courses that give homeowners a solid real estate and financial knowledge base to protect themselves moving forward.

Personalized care to get you into the right home. Participating lenders act like realtors for first time homebuyers to make the process less intimidating.
Possible down payment assistance.

Chfa Firststep & Firststep Plus

This CHFA program is aimed at first-time home buyers, non-first-time buyers purchasing primary residences in qualifying areas, plus qualified veterans.

These applicants can apply for FirstStep or FirstStep Plus loans featuring affordable interest rates, a 30-year term and even an optional CHFA Second Mortgage Loan, according to the official site. That second loan is intended for down payment and closing cost assistance.

These loans are administered through participating lenders who also participate in the FHA Single-Family Home Loan program. These loans are FHA mortgages and feature the requirements for FHA loans, including the FHA minimum FICO score standards for maximum financing, 580 FICO scores or better.

Individual lender standards exceed this minimum and you will not qualify for a CHFA FirstStep without meeting the minimum required credit score for the program.

Income and purchase price caps apply, and these mortgages are offered as fixed-rate 30-year mortgages only. The program requires a minimum FICO score of 620 or better for all scored borrowers however, the official site also adds that borrowers with no credit score are also permitted to apply. Loans are subject to credit approval.

Borrowers must make a personal contribution of at least $1,000 as a condition of loan approval. Qualifying properties include:

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Colorado Down Payment Assistance

CHFA offers two types of down payment assistance: a grant and a second mortgage. With the CHFA down payment assistance grant, you can receive funds for up to 3 percent of your first mortgage . The grant doesnt have to be repaid. It can only be combined with a SectionEight or SmartStep first mortgage, however.

CHFAs second mortgage provides assistance funds for up to 4 percent of your first mortgage . You dont have to repay this assistance until you pay off or refinance the first mortgage or sell your home. This option can be paired with a FirstStep, HomeAccess, Preferred, SectionEight or SmartStep first mortgage.

Note that you can only use one of these options, not both, in conjunction with your first mortgage.

Chfa Affordable Renting Options

CHFA encourages affordable housing and rentals across the state. CHFA offers tax credits, loans, and other programs to help developers build new or renovate existing affordable housing. CHFA also offers technical assistance to property residents, staff, and landlords who own low-income multi-family housing units.

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How To Qualify For An Fha Loan In Colorado

To qualify for an FHA loan in Colorado, your home loan must be below the local FHA loan limits in your area.For 2021, the maximum loan limit in Colorado is $356,362 for a single-family home and $1,581,750 for a four-plex. Limits varies by county.The minimum loan limit is $5,000.

Loan limits vary by county and home size.In addition to loan limits, to qualify for an FHA loan you must live in the home as your primary residence.If you’re purchasing a multi-family home, the monthly Fair Market Rent for the property must exceed 1% of the purchase price.FHA loans cannot be used for commercial real estate investment purposes or “flipping” homes in Colorado.Additional restricts apply.Click on the Colorado map above or the table below to see loan limits in your area.

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Chfa Mortgage Loans: Rates And Options

As a Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Participating Lender, Ent supports affordable financing options for first-time homebuyers as well as current homeowners seeking to buy or refinance.

All CHFA loans require completion of a CHFA-sponsored homebuyer education class, which can be achieved via a free in-person class or an online class with a $99 fee.

CHFA SmartStepSM Plus*

30-Year fixed term, FHA, VA
620 Minimum borrower credit score
Option to add a CHFA Statewide Mortgage Credit Certificate** for an annual tax credit

Offers a CHFA Down Payment Assistance Grant
Typically offers one of CHFAs lowest interest rates
Borrower must contribute a minimum of $1,000 toward purchase of home

Equal Housing Opportunity
Insured by NCUA

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Colorado Housing Finance Authority Loans

CHFA Loans Rock in Colorado!

Home mortgage programs provide Coloradans with access to competitive fixed rate financing.

CHFA is Colorados established and trusted partner for affordable homeownership. The CHFA programs offer fixed-rate loans, CHFA Down Payment Assistance Grant for assistance with down payment, closing costs, and/or prepaid, borrower premiums, and homebuyer education will give borrowers the confidence to pursue homeownership.

CHFA and The Mortgage Co. offer:

Home purchase and refinance loans

Down payment and/or closing cost assistance of up to 3%

Free homebuyer education in English and Spanish

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Colorado Housing And Finance Authority Lenders Of 2021

NerdWallet is not affiliated with the Colorado Housing Finance Authority in any way. CHFA does not endorse or affirm the information on this page, including programs, rates or lender ratings. Availability and details of CHFAs programs are subject to change at any time.

CHFA programs can help Colorados purchase a house.

To access CHFA loans and financial assistance, youll need to use a participating lender. CHFA maintains a list of on its website, but it does not endorse specific lenders.

NerdWallet has reviewed some CHFA lenders and listed our top choices in several categories. Weve also listed a few CHFA lenders that arent rated by NerdWallet but originate many mortgages in Colorado.

» MORE:

CHFA programs can help Colorados purchase a house.

To access CHFA loans and financial assistance, youll need to use a participating lender. CHFA maintains a list of on its website, but it does not endorse specific lenders.

» MORE:

How To Get A Chfa Colorado Loan

CHFA offers home purchase loan programs, grants, second mortgage loans, and other help for closing cost and down payment assistance. To qualify for a CHFA loan potential homeowners:

Cannot have an income that exceeds limits

Must have a credit score of 620 or higher
Must attend CHFA-approved homebuyer education course prior to closing on loan. Classes can be taken in-person and online.
Must contribute a minimum payment of $1000 toward home purchase

Qualifications vary by program, housing size, income, and more. Contact The Meissner Group directly to find out what you qualify for, and what programs would work best for your situation.

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Can I Refinance A Chfa Loan

Effective March 2, 2020, CHFA will no longer offer a refinance option. The CHFA FHA Streamline Refinance Program and CHFA Preferredsm Refinance Program will no longer be available to new or existing CHFA borrowers. CHFA will no longer have an option to subordinate the CHFA Second Mortgage Loan .

Rick Randall

Chfa Smartstep Program Chfa Smartstep Purchase Mortgage Program Is Open To Home

This program features CHFAs lowest mortgage interest rate. It features FHA, VA, and USDA Rural Development. If you qualify, you may also pair CHFA SmartStep with CHFAs down payment and closing cost assistance programs. You may also add a CHFA Statewide Mortgage Credit Certificate for an annual tax credit.

Also Check: What Credit Score Is Needed For Conventional Loan

Is Chfa A Conventional Loan

We offer conventional , FHA, VA, USDA-RD loans. Non-first-time homebuyers are accepted on most CHFA loan programs. We have program compliance review turnaround times of less than 24 hours. We have up to 3% down payment assistance as a grant and up to 4% as a non-interest bearing second mortgage loan .

Chfa Smartstep And Smartstep Plus

These CHFA loans are provided to veterans, first-time home buyers, and non-first time buyers alike. VA mortgages are included in the list of eligible government-backed loan programs available via CHFA SmartStep/SmartStep Plus.

Requirements include a minimum FICO score of 620, though borrowers with no credit score are allowed to apply. These are 30-year fixed rate mortgages featuring:

The option of a CHFA down payment assistance grant OR

The option of a CHFA DPA second mortgage loan for down payments, closing costs, and prepaid expenses
Income limits apply
Loan qualifying income calculations are required

Purchase loans only-no refinances

Program rules for SmartStep and SmartStep Plus mortgages state that income limits are variable subject to household size, county, targeted versus non-targeted homes, etc.

According to the CHFA official site, the maximum loan amount is set as the lower of $510,400 or the amount determined by FHA including mortgage insurance premiums that have been financed up front. A minimum contribution by the borrower of $1000 is required for this program.

Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News

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Investing In Colorado’s Success

Over the past 47 years, CHFA has invested more than $25 billion into Colorados economy. These resources have helped:

132,043 Colorado homebuyers achieve homeownership
172,885 households attend homebuyer education classes held statewide
73,769 affordable rental housing units be developed or preserved and

7,200 businesses access capital to support 77,745 jobs.

CHFAs network of participating lenders and community partners help deploy CHFAs resources statewide and are instrumental to our work. CHFA is known for its commitment to innovation and customer service. CHFA also offers a wide variety of professional education classes and technical assistance to help customers and partners succeed.

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What Is A Chfa Loan

What is a CHFA Loan?

The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority has been in existence since 1973 and provides fixed rate financing for homebuyers. CHFAs goal is to build strong communities throughout Colorado by offering low down payment financing options for those who may not be able to afford to purchase otherwise.

Although there are several CHFA loan programs available, Id like to offer information on the 2 that I believe are most widely utilized. The first one is the CHFA SmartStep purchase program which offers buyers a $1,000 down payment option with a minimum FICO score of 620. The CHFA SmartStep program consists of a 1st mortgage insured by FHA with a second mortgage insured by CHFA which essentially finances the borrowers down payment. Under the SmartStep program, borrowers do not have to be a first time homebuyer but must occupy the financed property as their primary residence and have a minimum of $1,000 invested into the transaction. In addition, the borrower does not have to pay mortgage insurance.

Another great CHFA loan program my clients use frequently is new in 2013 and is called the CHFA Advantage program. This is a conventional financing product that requires only 3% down , requires a FICO score of no less than 680, and has no mortgage insurance. There is no 2nd mortgage with the Advantage program and the borrower does not have to be a first time homebuyer.

Colorado Home Loan Programs For Veterans

The Colorado Housing Finance Authority provides access to affordable homes for those with qualifying military service, those who meet income and purchase price limits, and for first-time home buyers.

Those who have not owned a home in the last three years may qualify as first-time buyers, and those who are not first-time home buyers may still qualify if they purchase within certain zones.

CHFA programs include income caps set by county and in some instances by household size. Not all programs feature specific breakdowns of limits based on the size of the household but those that do will find the income caps broken down by homes with one or two people versus homes that have three occupants or more.

Depending on the program you may be restricted from having more than one CHFA loan at a time.

The VA Home Loan offers $0 Down with no PMI. Find out if youre eligible for this powerful home buying benefit. Prequalify today!

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Chfa For Business Lending

CHFA has been on the forefront of business lending since the early 80s to help grow Colorados economy. For businesses, CHFA offers:

Loan programs to help finance owner-occupied commercial real estate purchase, renovation, and equipment purchase.
Tax exempt bonds with rock-bottom interest rates.
The Cash Collateral Support program gives businesses access to a variety of capital programs.

New market tax credits to encourage development in lower income communities.
The Colorado Fresh Food Financing Fund helps provide low income residents access to grocery stores and other outlets for healthy eating options.

Financial Assistance For Homebuyers In Colorado

CHFA FirstStep PlusAvailable Assistance Eligibility Requirements Property Guidelines Income Limits www.chfainfo.comNote: This information was accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current – visit the program website for updated information.

Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.

FHA.com’s compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.

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Achieving Your Dream With Chfa

CHFA has been securing housing for Colorado residents for nearly 50 years, and they continue to be a model for education and home-ownership in the state. If youre ready to begin the CHFA loan process or see if you qualify for home buyers assistance programs, contact us or one of our participating lenders directly by email or phone today.

Chfa Down Payment Assistance

Homebuyers utilizing first time homebuyer programs are eligible for assistance on down payments. The Down Payment Assistance Grant loans up to 3% of your first mortgage and is not required to be repaid.

For a second mortgage, eligible participants can receive up to 4% of your first mortgage. The repayment of a second mortgage loan can be deferred until certain criteria is met like payoff of first mortgage or refinance of the home.

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