Your guide to buying your first home
Practical guides on down payment assistance, mortgage rules, and how to bring your community together to make homeownership happen.
New here? Start with a guide: first-time homebuyer guide, down payment assistance guide or what is cash to close.
AnnouncementsSeptember 1, 2026 · 2 min read
Dreamfund Joins the Fintech Sandbox Data Access Residency
Dreamfund has been accepted into the Fintech Sandbox Data Access Residency, a selective program giving early-stage fintech companies access to enterprise financial data from more than forty partners.
Read the guide →Financial EducationOctober 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Closing Costs Explained for First-Time Buyers
Closing costs are the upfront costs of getting your loan and completing the purchase, separate from your down payment. Here is what they include, how big they are according to published sources, and how to find the real number for your loan.
Financial EducationOctober 15, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Build Your Down Payment Funding Stack: 4 Sources to Unlock Your First Home
A down payment funding stack combines your savings, gifts from family and friends, down payment assistance, and employer help. Each source has its own rules, and your lender decides which combination it accepts.
Financial EducationOctober 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Down Payment vs Closing Costs: What Each Covers
A down payment and closing costs are two different bills due at the same table. Here is what each one pays for, who can help with each, and how much both add up to at the September 2026 national median home price.
Financial EducationOctober 15, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Lower Your Cash to Close
Credits lower the number you bring to closing, while gifts, assistance and employer help change who supplies it. Here are the main levers, the limits published by Fannie Mae, HUD, VA and USDA, and what each one costs you.
Buyer EducationOctober 11, 2026 · 5 min read
Your First-Time Home Buyer Guide: 7 Plain-English Steps From Renter to Keys
To buy your first home, set a price goal, learn your four numbers, build a down payment, budget for closing costs and work through lenders to closing day. Here are the seven steps.
Financial EducationOctober 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Rates are up. Your savings are the lever you control.
Mortgage rates are up from a year ago. You cannot move them, but a bigger down payment changes your monthly payment. See an example.
Financial EducationOctober 2, 2026 · 6 min read
Beyond Income Limits: Why Higher-Earning Buyers Are Using Down Payment Assistance and Gift Registries in 2026
Most down payment assistance programs now serve incomes above $100,000. Here is how higher-earning buyers can combine assistance with family gifts.
Financial EducationSeptember 24, 2026 · 7 min read
State-by-State DPA Guide 2026: Programs Available in NJ, NY, CA, TX, FL, and PA
A 2026 overview of first-time homebuyer down payment assistance programs in the six most-searched states, including what each program offers and how to apply.
Buyer EducationSeptember 24, 2026 · 6 min read
The Down Payment Registry: What Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Actually Allow for Wedding Gifts
A little-known Freddie Mac provision lets wedding guests, related or not, gift money that counts toward a down payment.
Buyer EducationSeptember 24, 2026 · 5 min read
What Happens After You Reach Your Down Payment Goal? A Step-by-Step Guide
Hitting your down payment number is a milestone, not the finish line. Here are the seven steps between goal reached and keys in hand.
Buyer EducationSeptember 15, 2026 · 6 min read
From Renter to Owner: The Real Homebuying Timeline and How to Speed It Up
The homebuying timeline is rarely one number. Here is what actually determines how long the renter-to-owner path takes, and the moves that shorten it.
Policy and AdvocacyAugust 12, 2026 · 8 min read
Introducing the Dream Score: A New Way to Measure Homebuyer Readiness
The Dream Score is a 5-factor homebuyer readiness model built for the ROAD Act era. Here is how it works and why it changes the homeownership conversation.
Policy and AdvocacyAugust 10, 2026 · 7 min read
The $19,000 Gift Tax Strategy Inside the ROAD Act Nobody Is Teaching
The annual gift tax exclusion lets families contribute $19,000 per donor per year toward a down payment. Here is the family gifting math and how to structure it.
Policy and AdvocacyAugust 7, 2026 · 7 min read
Nine Provisions. One Community Bank Opportunity: Title IX of the ROAD Act
Title IX of the ROAD Act delivers nine deregulation provisions targeting community banks under $10 billion. Here is what changes and why it matters for local lending.
Financial EducationAugust 7, 2026 · 6 min read
The New Rules of the Down Payment: How Modern Buyers Are Stacking Grants, Gifts, and Crowdfunding to Buy Sooner
Down payment stacking means combining assistance grants, gifts from family and friends, and employer help toward one down payment. Your lender decides which combination it accepts, so ask before you build a plan.
Policy and AdvocacyAugust 5, 2026 · 7 min read
CDBG Gets Teeth: Sections 205 and 206 and the Supply Performance Mandate
Sections 205 and 206 of the ROAD Act introduce performance metrics for CDBG grantees. Here is what municipalities and PHAs must now track and report.
Policy and AdvocacyAugust 3, 2026 · 6 min read
22 Percent of First-Time Buyers Use Family Help: Community Gifting Is Already How Homes Get Bought
About 22% of first-time buyers used a gift or loan from family or friends toward their down payment (NAR, 2025). Here is how a gift works for a mortgage, what lenders ask for, and how Dreamfund is building toward it.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 29, 2026 · 7 min read
What Veterans Need to Know Now: VA Loan Improvements in the 21st Century ROAD Act
Sections 601–603 of the ROAD Act deliver three specific improvements to VA loan programs. Here is what 23.5 million veterans need to know.
Financial EducationJuly 28, 2026 · 4 min read
How Black and Latino Families Are Using Community to Close the Homeownership Gap
The racial homeownership gap is real and persistent. Here's how Black and Latino families are using community-based savings and gifting models to change their timelines.
Financial EducationJuly 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Credit Score and Down Payment: What First-Time Buyers Need to Know
Your credit score helps decide which loan programs and rates are open to you. Your down payment affects how much you borrow and whether you pay mortgage insurance. Here is how the two connect.
Financial EducationJuly 28, 2026 · 4 min read
What Is a Down Payment Assistance Platform and How Does It Actually Work?
What is a down payment assistance platform, and how does community homebuying actually work? A clear explanation of the model for first-time buyers and their supporters.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 27, 2026 · 7 min read
HOME Gets Reauthorized: Section 502 and the Infill Housing Opportunity
Section 502 of the ROAD Act reauthorizes HOME funding and streamlines environmental review for infill development on 8,000 identified sites. Here is what changes.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 24, 2026 · 6 min read
How Many Buyers Qualify for Down Payment Assistance? What the Research Shows
An Urban Institute analysis found 43.6% of 2022 homebuyers in the 10 largest metro areas were potentially eligible for down payment assistance. Here is what that figure covers, what it does not, and how to check yourself.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 22, 2026 · 7 min read
Where CRA Meets Opportunity Zones: Section 202 and the Community Banking Convergence
Section 202 creates dual CRA and Opportunity Zone credit for qualifying investments. Here is how banks and credit unions can capture both credits simultaneously.
Financial EducationJuly 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Building a Homebuying Village: How Community Gifting Changes the Math
What happens when 20 people each contribute to your down payment? The math of the village model and why it is changing first-time buyer timelines.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 20, 2026 · 7 min read
The Next 401(k): Employer Housing Benefits Are About to Explode
Forty percent of employers are considering housing benefits. The ROAD Act accelerates this trend. Here is what employer-assisted housing means for employees and HR teams.
Financial EducationJuly 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Realtors Should Know About Down Payment Assistance in 2026
Agents who understand down payment assistance close more first-time buyer transactions and build stronger referral pipelines. A practical 2026 guide.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 17, 2026 · 7 min read
HUD Counseling Gets an Upgrade: Section 101 and Outcome-Based Performance Standards
Section 101 shifts HUD housing counseling from process metrics to outcome metrics. Here is what changes and why counseled buyers have 33 percent lower default rates.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 15, 2026 · 7 min read
No Additional Funds Authorized: The Biggest Execution Gap in the ROAD Act
The ROAD Act mandates sweeping changes but authorizes zero new federal appropriations. Here is why technology infrastructure is the only way to execute the law's intent.
For EmployersJuly 14, 2026 · 6 min read
Employer-Assisted Housing Benefits: The Hidden Perk Most Workers Don't Know Exists
Employer-assisted housing is one of the fastest-growing benefits in 2026, and most employees never think to ask for it. Here is what it is, why companies offer it, and how to make the case at yours.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 13, 2026 · 7 min read
From 15 Percent to 20 Percent: Section 204 and the Community Investment Expansion
Section 204 raises the public welfare investment cap from 15 to 20 percent. Here is what that means for banks, credit unions, and community investment capacity.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 10, 2026 · 7 min read
38X: The Homeowner vs. Renter Wealth Gap Is Not a Coincidence
Homeowners carry median net worth of $400,000. Renters carry $10,400. That 38-fold gap is structural, not coincidental. Here is what drives it and what the ROAD Act changes.
Financial EducationJuly 9, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Talk to Your Family About Helping You Buy a Home
Asking your family for financial help is uncomfortable. Here is how to have the conversation about homebuying support in a way that is clear, comfortable, and effective.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 8, 2026 · 7 min read
The Hidden Homeownership Tax: Appraisal Bias and the Fight for Fair Value
Freddie Mac data shows 48 percent lower valuations in Black neighborhoods. Sections 703 and 704 of the ROAD Act give buyers a 30-day Reconsideration of Value right. Here is how to use it.
Financial EducationJuly 7, 2026 · 3 min read
The 5 Biggest Myths About Buying a Home That Are Keeping You from Closing
Five persistent myths about buying your first home are keeping renters stuck. Here is the truth, backed by current data, so you can move forward with confidence.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 6, 2026 · 7 min read
Section 404: 5,000 Families and the FSS Escrow Expansion Pilot
Section 404 creates a 5,000-family pilot to expand Family Self-Sufficiency escrow access. Here is how 2 million eligible households can use it to build a down payment.
For LendersJuly 4, 2026 · 3 min read
Why More Lenders Are Partnering with Down Payment Assistance Platforms in 2026
Mortgage lenders and community banks are increasingly partnering with DPA platforms. Here is why the trend is accelerating and what it means for first-time buyer volume.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 3, 2026 · 7 min read
The 3 Percent Problem Is Fixed: Sections 401 and 402 and the Small-Dollar Lending Revival
The flat 3 percent points-and-fees cap made small-dollar lending unprofitable. Sections 401 and 402 replace it with a tiered structure. Here is what changes for lenders and buyers.
Financial EducationJuly 2, 2026 · 4 min read
How to Give the Perfect Down Payment Gift
Everything you need to know about giving a down payment gift: mortgage rules, documentation requirements, gift letters, and how to make your support actually count at closing.
Financial EducationJuly 2, 2026 · 3 min read
Gifting for Homeownership: What Supporters Need to Know About Gift Funds and Taxes
Want to help someone buy their first home? Here is everything supporters need to know about gift funds, IRS rules, gift letters, and how to make your contribution count.
Policy and AdvocacyJuly 1, 2026 · 7 min read
The $100K Opportunity: Inside the FHA Small-Dollar Mortgage Pilot Program
Section 105 creates an FHA pilot program for mortgages under $100K. Here is why small-dollar lending stopped, which markets it targets, and what it means for legacy city buyers.
Policy and AdvocacyJune 30, 2026 · 7 min read
Community Homeownership and the Racial Wealth Gap: What's Changing in 2026
The racial homeownership gap in America is wide and persistent. Here's how community-backed models are creating new pathways, and why this matters beyond the numbers.
Policy and AdvocacyJune 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Locking Out Corporate Landlords: How Section 1001 Restores Single-Family Inventory
Section 1001 caps corporate landlord acquisitions at 350 single-family homes and projects 1.3 million divestitures over 15 years. Here is what it means for buyers right now.
Financial EducationJune 27, 2026 · 6 min read
First-Time Homebuyer Programs 2026: What They Don't Tell You
Most first-time buyer help comes from state housing agencies, lenders and local programs, not HUD grants. Eligibility, income limits and funding vary by program, so start with a HUD-approved housing counselor.
Policy and AdvocacyJune 27, 2026 · 8 min read
Why the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Changes Everything for the American Homebuyer
Congress passed the most comprehensive federal housing reform in more than three decades with a 358-32 House vote and 85-5 Senate vote. Here is what the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act means for buyers, lenders, employers, and housing authorities.
Financial EducationJune 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Your Family Wants to Help You Buy a Home But Doesn't Know How
Your family wants to help you buy a home. The problem is not willingness; it is knowing how. Here is what supporters need to know about contributing to a first-time buyer's down payment.
Financial EducationJune 23, 2026 · 8 min read
How Much Do You Actually Need for a Down Payment in 2026?
You do not need 20% down. Conventional programs start at 3%, FHA loans at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require none for qualifying buyers. Here are the sourced numbers, what a smaller down payment costs, and where the rest of your cash to close can come from.
Financial EducationJune 13, 2026 · 7 min read
What Is a FHLB Homebuyer Dream Program Grant? How to Qualify and Apply
The Homebuyer Dream Program is a Federal Home Loan Bank of New York grant of up to $30,000 per household for first-time buyers at or below 80% of area median income. You apply through a member lender, not the Bank.
Financial EducationJune 11, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Set a Down Payment Savings Goal: A Step-by-Step Guide
Multiply your target home price by your down payment percentage, add closing costs (Freddie Mac says 2% to 5% of the price), then divide by what you can save each month. A worked example with sourced figures.
Financial EducationJune 10, 2026 · 8 min read
First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance: What's Available in 2026
First-time buyers can cover a down payment with more than savings: low-down-payment loans (3% to 3.5% down, or none with VA and USDA), state housing finance agency programs, Federal Home Loan Bank grants, employer assistance, and gifts from family and friends. Amounts and rules vary by program.
For EmployersJune 8, 2026 · 8 min read
Employer-Assisted Housing: How Your Job Could Help You Buy a Home
Many employers now offer down payment assistance and homebuying benefits. Learn how employer-assisted housing programs work, which companies offer them, and how to ask your HR department about this often-overlooked benefit.
Financial EducationJune 8, 2026 · 7 min read
FHA vs Conventional Loan Gift Fund Rules: What Homebuyers Need to Know
Both FHA and Fannie Mae conventional loans allow gift funds toward a down payment, and both require a gift letter. The biggest difference is who can give. FHA includes close friends with a documented interest, employers and charities. Fannie Mae limits donors to relatives and familial-like relationships.
Financial EducationJune 8, 2026 · 6 min read
What Is a Gift Letter for a Mortgage? Requirements, Format, and Examples
A mortgage gift letter is a signed statement from the donor that the money is a gift with no repayment expected. Fannie Mae requires the donor's signature, and FHA requires the donor's and the borrower's. Here is what the letter must say and what proof lenders ask for.
Financial EducationJune 5, 2026 · 6 min read
How Community Gifting Works for Your Mortgage
Gift funds can cover your entire FHA down payment, but only if they're documented correctly. Here's what every homebuyer needs to know before their loan file hits underwriting.
Dream ScoreMay 29, 2026 · 4 min read
What Is a Dream Score, and Why Does It Matter?
Your Dream Score shows how much community, employer, and program support you can realistically raise toward your down payment. Here's how to read yours and what to do next.
Financial EducationMay 23, 2026 · 8 min read
How Down Payment Crowdfunding Works in 2026: A Complete Guide
Learn exactly how down payment crowdfunding works, how lenders verify community gift funds, and how Dreamfund records family and friend contributions.
For EmployersMay 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Smart Employers Are Offering Homeownership as a Benefit in 2026
Homeownership benefits are outperforming traditional retention perks in 2026. Here's why a growing number of HR leaders are adding Dreamfund to their benefits stack, and what it costs them.