Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Your First Home

 by: Damon Thomas

The idea of buying a new home for the first time can be overwhelming for most people. It is probably the largest investment they have ever made, and the process itself seems downright intimidating. Here are answers to a few questions about homeownership from www.casanuevahouston.com and www.casanuevasanantonio.com. Much more information is offered online at these websites.

How do I know how much I can afford?

Most people like to think of it in terms of their monthly payment. A good rule-of-thumb is that your total monthly payment will be about 1% of the purchase price. If a new home costs $100,000, the total monthly payment will be about $1,000.

What kind of down payment is needed? How much money is needed for closing costs?

With 100% financing, which is often available, you typically need about 3% out of your own pocket for various closing cost such as taxes and insurance. So, for a $100,000 loan that is 100% financed, you would need about $3,000 total cash. There are also home buyer assistance programs that can provide down payment grants to qualified applicants.

How much income do I need?   (continued...)

Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Your First Home
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About The Author Damon Thomas is a contributor to www.casanuevahouston.com, a Houston-based company providing information for new home buyers.

Additional Government Grants Resources

Small Business Administration's Small Business Investment Companies
The Small Business Investment Companies Program revolves around the notion of developing privately owned and managed investment companies which will be licenses and regulated by the Small Business Administration, so as to provide equity capital, long term loans, and advisory services to small business requiring such services.

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Effect of Physicochemical Properties of Ophthalmic Formulations on Ocular Bioavailability Program
In this capacity, the Food and Drug Administration has recently established the Effect of Physicochemical Properties of Ophthalmic Formulations on Ocular Bioavailability Program in an attempt to study the effects of various physicochemical properties of ophthalmic suspensions and emulsions on ocular bioavailability.

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Keystone Home Loan PLUS Program
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, otherwise termed as PHFA, is an independent agency established in year 1972 in an attempt to assist 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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Basic Cancer Research in Cancer Health Disparities Grant Program
The National Institutes of Health has partnered with the National Cancer Institute(NCI) in an effort to establish the Basic Cancer Research in Cancer Health Disparities Grant Program wherein both agencies seek to solicit applications from eligible investigators and researchers who are interested in conducting basic, mechanistic research concentrating on the biologic/genetic causes of cancer health disparities.

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Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program
The Department of Housing and Urban Development, otherwise known as HUD, is a Cabinet department in the executive branch of the United States federal government.

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Mechanisms Mediating Osteoarthritis in Aging
The National Institutes of Health, in close cooperation with The National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, has recently established a program called Mechanisms Mediating Osteoarthritis in Aging in an effort to improve and encourage the characterization of new and underutilized models in order to gain a deeper understanding of mechanisms that are involved in osteoarthritic progression.

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Core Clinical Centers for the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network Program
In keeping with this mission, the National Institutes of Health has partnered with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH) to establish the Core Clinical Centers for the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network Program.

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