Chenoa Fund Down Payment Assistance

Helping Californians Achieve homeOwnership
Helping Californians Achieve homeOwnership

Chenoa Fund Down Payment Assistance

The Chenoa Down Payment Assistance Program is designed to help borrowers overcome the financial barrier of a down payment when purchasing a home. It is particularly valuable for first-time homebuyers and those with limited savings. The program is administered by the Chenoa Fund, which is operated by the CBC Mortgage Agency, a federally chartered government agency.

Key Features of the Chenoa Down Payment Assistance Program
Considerations
  • Provides up to 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is lower).
  • Covers the minimum down payment required and closing costs. 
Loan Types
  • Primarily paired with FHA Home Loans and HUD184 Native American Home Loans
  • Assistance may also be available for conventional loans under certain conditions.
Assistance Structure
  • Forgivable Second Mortgage:
    • Fully forgiven after 36 on-time payments on the primary mortgage.
    • Payments must be made on the primary loan, with no more than one 30-day late payment.
  • Repayable Second Mortgage:
    • Available as a 10-year or 30-year loan term.
    • Fixed interest rates typically ranging from 0% to 8%, depending on the program.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Minimum Credit Score: Usually 600 for most borrowers, though some programs may require a higher score.
  • Income Limits:
    • Some programs are income-restricted, targeting households earning less than 115% of the area median income (AMI).
    • Other programs have no income limits, making them accessible to a broader range of buyers.
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Must meet standard FHA or lender underwriting guidelines.
Property Requirements
  • Must be an owner-occupied, primary residence.
  • Eligible property types include:
    • Single-family homes.
    • Condominiums (FHA-approved).
    • Manufactured homes (meeting FHA requirements).
Borrower Requirements
  • Must complete a homebuyer education course approved by HUD or the program.
  • Borrowers must meet the lender’s underwriting guidelines in addition to Chenoa’s requirements.
Programs Benefits
  • Overcome Down Payment Barriers: Makes homeownership accessible to those without significant savings.
  • Flexible Income Limits: Options for both income-restricted and unrestricted borrowers.
  • Nationwide Availability: Offered in all states, regardless of local down payment assistance programs.
  • Forgiveness Option: The forgivable second mortgage incentivizes borrowers to remain current on their primary loan.
  • Enables homebuyers to purchase a home with little to no money out of pocket.
  • Provides flexibility for borrowers with different financial situations.
  • Helps borrowers improve cash flow by reducing upfront costs.
Programs Benefits

The Chenoa Down Payment Assistance Program is ideal for:

  • First-time homebuyers struggling to save for a down payment.
  • Buyers with moderate to low income looking for forgivable or repayable assistance.
  • Borrowers needing help with upfront costs for an FHA or conventional loan.

The Chenoa Fund is a versatile option, enabling many buyers to achieve their homeownership dreams while tailoring assistance to their unique needs

Considerations
  • Borrowers should carefully review the terms of the assistance, including repayment conditions and potential impact on their mortgage loan.
  • Additional costs or interest rates may apply for the second mortgage, depending on the chosen assistance type.
  • The interest rate on the first mortgage may be slightly higher than traditional FHA loans due to the associated assistance.
  • Not all lenders participate in the Chenoa Fund; borrowers should partner with a lender experienced in the Chenoa program to ensure a smooth process.

California Mortgage Team

Dale-Gremillion

Dale Gremillion

Sr Loan Officer
NMLS #210325
Conor-Hayhurst

Conor Hayhurst

Branch Manager
NMLS #743506
Shawna Johnson

Shawna Johnson

Manu / Reno / OTC
NMLS #1631859
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