Special Update:
New guidelines were issued today for the monetizing of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit that was announced by HUD and then delayed by HUD. The primary change is that the money cannot be applied toward the 3.5% down payment. It can be used for a larger down payment or applied toward closing costs. We'll provide more details soon.
Here's a link to the HUD site. Click on Mortgage Letter 09-15 http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/index.cfm
Again, it appears that it can be used as "a" downpayment, but the borrower still needs to come to the table with 3.5% on FHA loans.
Larry Morris is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist and Certified Mortgage Coach with Golf Savings Bank in Beaverton, Oregon. He specializes in USDA Guaranteed Rural Home Loans, FHA Purchase and Refinance, FHA 203k Rehab loans, FannieMae HomePath loans and conforming purchase and refinances in the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California.
He can be reached at 503-421-0096, or larry@PDX-Mortgage.com.

