By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
Despite the end of the federal homebuyer tax credit - home-purchase contracts had to be signed and ratified by April 30 to qualify - potential homebuyers have plenty of other opportunities for down-payment and closing-cost assistance along with low-interest mortgage loans that can make it easier to afford a home.
"In addition to government programs, another option can be a family gift of cash for the down payment," Mrs. Mathews says. "Sometimes several family members will be willing to contribute, which is fine as long as each person signs a gift letter stating that they do not require the money to be paid back."
"Buyers can take advantage of these low rates and have significantly lower monthly payments than if they had bought a home a year or so ago," Mrs. Mathews says. "Buyers who are challenged to come up with the cash for a down payment should look into FHA loans, which still require only 3.5 percent of the purchase price for a down payment. Those who have served our country can also apply for a VA loan, which doesn't require any down payment at all."
