| About Portland Developement Commission's 20% Down Payment Assistance Program |
Not many Realtors know about this Program. Read the below Info and if you have Questions, I would be happy to help you understand it better.
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)
The Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) is a homebuyer assistance tool designed exclusively for first-time homebuyers who are buying a home in one of Portland’s Urban Renewal Areas. It is a second mortgage loan used in conjunction with a first mortgage loan from the Portland Development Commission (PDC). DPAL helps homebuyers:
- Avoid the cost of mortgage insurance!
- Increase their purchasing power!
- Enjoy lower monthly house payments!
- Obtain funding for immediate or after purchase repairs and improvements!
Essentially, the DPAL loan is gap financing that makes up the difference between what a homebuyer’s income will support and the higher sales price of a property.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Homebuyer
- First-time homebuyer (defined as not having owned a home in the past three years).
- Owner-occupied residences only.
- Annual household income at or below 80% or 100% of Portland’s Median Family Income (MFI), adjusted for family size depending on the number of bedrooms in the home as follows:
| Household Size |
Two or less Bedrooms
80% MFI (2008)* |
Three or more Bedrooms
100% MFI (2008)* |
| 1 |
$38,000 |
$47,250 |
| 2 |
$43,450 |
$54,000 |
| 3 |
$48,900 |
$60,750 |
| 4 |
$54,300 |
$67,500 |
* Higher household income limits apply for households of five or more persons.
- Must meet standard first mortgage criteria for credit and down payment.
- Combined liquid assets (cash and equivalent, stocks, bonds and bank deposit; excluding retirement accounts) cannot exceed six months of PITIMI payments at closing.
- Must be a US citizen or legal resident.
- Borrower must complete a homebuyer education workshop provided by a US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Certified Home Buyer Counseling Program.
Eligible Property
- Residential properties located in a PDC Urban Renewal Areas (URA) subject to available funding. For map of theses areas, Click here.
- Single-family units only, including condos and town homes.
- Maximum purchase price not greater then the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) maximum loan amount, currently $304,950.
Loan Terms
- 4.00% simple interest per year with an Annual Percentage rate of 4.08% (assumes a loan amount of $50,000)
- 30-year loan forgiven once the term expires provided the borrower has maintained the property as owner occupied for the life of the loan
- Maximum loan amount, 25% of the purchase price, including 5% of the purchase price (20% of DPAL) must be used for “immediate renovations” or to fund a “Home Improvement Fund”
- Payments are deferred until the sale of the unit, refinance of the first mortgage, or when the homeowner no longer occupies the home as their primary residence; at such time, the entire principal plus accrued interest is due and payable
- Must be used in with a PDC-approved first mortgage loan
- $350 loan origination fee; $350 construction management fee; other third party fees apply
Home Improvement
To complete the required renovation borrower must choose between:
- Immediate Renovations – A minimum of 20% of the DPAL and a maximum 50% of the after-improved value must be deposited in a PDC-controlled account to pay for improvements made within six months of loan closing; appraisal is based on an “after-improved” value; maximum Combined Loan-To-Value is 100%.
OR
- Home Improvement Fund - A minimum of 20% of the DPAL must be deposited into a PDC-controlled Home Improvement Fund; home improvement funds must be spent within 24 months of loan closing; appraisal is based on an “as is” value; maximum Combined Loan-To Value is 105%.
Email ME helen@portlandcreativerealtors.com or Ph# 503-998-4429
Or for more information call the PDC @ 503-823-3400, or e-mail nhp@pdc.us