The home buying process can be stressful for everyone and, in many cases, may seem intimidating. This is especially true for first-time homebuyers.
However, as a government employee, you are eligible for many different home mortgage programs that can make the buying process so much easier and have you enjoying homeownership in no time at all. From special federal employee mortgage loans to mortgage assistance and grants, these programs can save you thousands of dollars and make the home buying process more attainable.
Let’s look at just how these programs work and who is eligible.
Key takeaways
- Government employees are eligible for various mortgage programs that can make the home buying process easier and more affordable.
- Challenges faced by government employees include salary limitations and frequent relocations, which can make saving for a down payment difficult.
- Programs such as Hero Home Programs, Public Servant Next Door, and Mortgages for Champions offer grants, discounts, and benefits to help government employees achieve homeownership.
- Eligibility for these programs varies, but they are open to government employees at the federal, state, and local levels, including teachers, healthcare workers, and postal service employees.
- Hero Home Programs can help government employees identify the programs they are eligible for and save thousands on their home purchase.
Who is a federal government employee?
Government employees are anyone who works for the federal, state, county, or city government. These can include employees from federal government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, to librarians and park rangers. In many cases, this also includes teachers in public education and those working in healthcare.
Home buying challenges
While working in many of these professions is rewarding, it can also contribute to financial challenges, making homeownership a little more difficult and often out of reach. Some common challenges associated with government employee positions can include salary limitations and frequent relocations.
1. Salary limitations
For most private sector positions, you can shop around for positions that offer a higher salary and, in most cases, you can expect regular raises and evaluations that contribute to an increase in income. Unfortunately, as a government employee, you may not make as much as those in similar private-sector positions, and salaries are often capped, so room for growth is not always possible. This can make it difficult to save the money necessary for a down payment on a home.
2. Job locations can change frequently
If you work in the military or other areas of the government, relocation is often a part of the job description. This can make it difficult to commit to owning a home. However, you must keep in mind that homeownership is a way to build your assets. While you may need to relocate, you can rent your home out to tenants who will, in the end, pay your mortgage for you.
Hero Home Programs
Hero Home Programs is committed to helping all community heroes, including government employees, achieve homeownership. They work with you to find a wide range of grants, discounts, and benefits that can help save you thousands on your new home purchase.
Benefits for first time home buyers
This program offers a wide range of benefits, including:
- Grants and rebates
- Vendor discounts
- Down payment assistance
- Reduced or waived fees
Eligibility
Hero Home Programs is open to all government employees at the federal, state, and local levels.
Public Servant Next Door® first time home buyer program
Administered by the Teacher Next Door® National Home Buying Program, the Public Servant Next Door program provides grants and down payment assistance to those buying their first home or those who have not owned a home in over three years.
Benefits for first-time homebuyers
If you are a first-time homebuyer, this program offers a wide range of benefits, including:
- No application fees
- No up-front fees
- Easy application process
- Simple Docs Program
- Low down-payment options
- Purchase any home on the market
- Specific loans for first-time buyers
- Preferred interest rates
- Free appraisal
- Free homebuyer inspection
- Discount title fees
Eligibility
The Public Servant Next Door® program is open to all government employees, including city, county, state, and federal agencies. This includes a wide range of positions but is not limited to:
- Administration
- Clerical and office staff
- Engineers and architectures
- Facilities staff
- Computer and IT specialists
- Transportation
- Legal services
- U.S. Postal Service employees
- Inspectors
- Human resource management
- Park rangers
Government employee housing grants
In addition to down payment assistance of up to $10,681.00, the Public Servant Next Door® program also offers all government employees a housing grant of up to $8,000.00 for the home purchase. This is a non-repayable grant.
Mortgages for champions
Mortgages for Champions is a program offered through RealFi Home Funding Corp. It was created as a thank-you to all the heroes in the community, including all government employees. This program offers the elimination of all lender’s fees and closing costs, which, in many cases, can save home buyers up to $1,700.00 or more.
Benefits for first-time homebuyers
Mortgages for Champions offers the elimination of lender’s fees and closing costs for first-time homebuyers, including:
- No application fees
- No processing fees
- No underwriting fees
- No commitment fees
Eligibility
Mortgages for Champions is a program designed to help those that help the community, including government employees, as well as:
- Educators
- EMTs
- Firefighters
- Law enforcement officers
- Medical personnel
- Military personnel
Mortgage programs can help you get your first home
Many government employees do not know about the many programs available to help during their homebuying process. The Public Servants Next Door® and the Mortgages for Champions programs are only a couple of the many programs that may be available to help you achieve your dream of homeownership.
At Hero Home Programs, we understand how overwhelming the home buying process can be. Our teams will do the research for you and find all the programs you are eligible for to help you save thousands on your home purchase and allow you to purchase the home of your dreams.
Speak to us today to learn more about how the Hero Home Programs work.
