Payment$aver

Why Payment$aver?

MFA’s Payment$aver Program helps cover down payment and closing costs, which are often significant obstacales for first-time homebuyers. Payment$aver can be the most affordable way for low- to medium-income borrowers to buy their first home.The program is available statewide (excluding Albuquerque) to buyers who have not owned and occupied a primary residence for the past three years.

How Does The Program Work?

Payment$aver is designed to work as a 0 percent, second mortgage loan in combination with a below-market interest rate first mortgage loan to cover up-front costs, excluding pre-paids. Depending on the type of mortgage loan, Payment$aver may also help reduce monthly mortgage payments through an interest rate buy-down.

The loan is a soft second that may not exceed the lesser of 8 percent of the sales price of the home or $8,000. The loan does not need to be paid back until the property is sold, refinanced, or transferred. It is assumable if the buyer meets program eligibility requirements. After five years, this loan may be forgiven at the rate of 20 percent per year. 

Many types of first mortgage loans are available with the Payment$aver program. These include FHA, VA, and a variety of conventional loans, including the Community Home Buyer Product. Rural Housing Services, guaranteed, leveraged or direct loans are also available, as are loans on Native American trust lands.

Household income and home sales price limits apply based on family size and geographic location. Specific information is listed below.

How Do I Qualify?

An MFA-approved lender can determine if you are eligibile for Payment$aver. The lender will also explain various MFA loan types and help determine what loans will work best for you.

Other Requirements

In order to qualify for Payment$aver, you must also receive first time homebuyer housing counseling paid for by the MFA and available through MFA certified agencies throughout New Mexico. If there is not an approved agency near you, MFA will help you find one.

Borrowers may hold no more than six months of total household income in reserve after closing. Retirement funds such as 401(k) accounts, IRAs, etc. are not considered part of a household's reserve.

PRICE LIMITS

Area

Purchase Price Limits

Los Alamos County $380,650
Santa Fe County $427,500
San Juan County $281,250
All Other Areas and Counties of the State $271,050

 

*Can include manufactured homes on permanent foundations, also town homes, condos, or PUD's.  Maximum income limits are below.

 

Counties

Income Limits By Family Size

 

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2

3

4

5

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Albuquerque MSA (Bernalillo/Sandoval/Torrance/Valencia) $30,380 $34,720 $39,060 $43,330 $46,830 $50,330
Santa Fe MSA and Los Alamos Counties $38,500 $44,000 $49,500 $54,950 $59,350 $63,750
Farmington MSA (San Juan County) $31,650 $36,200 $40,700 $45,200 $48,850 $52,450
Las Cruces MSA (Dona Ana County) $26,750 $30,550 $34,350 $38,150 $41,250 $44,300
Colfax $29,650 $33,850 $38,100 $42,300 $45,700 $49,100
Eddy $32,400 $37,000 $41,650 $46,250 $49,950 $53,650
Harding $27,400 $31,300 $35,200 $39,100 $42,250 $45,400
Lea $27,550 $31,500 $35,450 $39,350 $42,500 $45,650
Lincoln $31,750 $36,300 $40,850 $45,350 $49,000 $52,650
All Other Areas and Counties of the State $26,750 $30,550 $34,350 $38,150 $41,250 $44,300

 

For more information, contact one of our homeownership representatives at:
Main: (505) 843-6881
Fax: (505) 243-3289