If you are a police officer, you put yourself on the line to keep your community safe every day. And we thank you for all you do for us. Whether it be protecting or serving, we value the work you do and consider you a hero. And as a hero, we want you to achieve your homeownership dreams. That’s why we’re sharing how police officers can get housing assistance with you today.
There are various programs and grants available to police officers to help cover the costs of buying or selling a house. And if you are a renter who wants to buy a home, no problem—there are programs to help you get into your first home. Whatever your needs and your budget, there is a housing assistance program for you.
This is our way of saying thank you for all your work to keep our communities safe. And we want to keep you in the community you dedicate your life to, along with making the home buying process easier and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pockets.
Key takeaways
- Housing assistance programs and grants are available for police officers, including down payment assistance and better mortgage rates.
- Police officers can access various types of home loans, such as conventional loans, VA loans, FHA loans, USDA loans, and location-specific home loans.
- Hero Home Programs offer discounted services, rates, and home buying assistance to community heroes, including police officers.
- Police officers can receive free application and support services through Hero Home Programs to find the right program and achieve homeownership.
How can police officers get better mortgage rates?
Police officers and other first responders, healthcare workers, teachers, and military personnel have various options through private and government programs to help cover costs associated with buying a home. The types of assistance and amount vary by type and funding, but they cater to community heroes.
Police officers can achieve better mortgage rates, down payment assistance, and other help covering costs that go into buying a home by simply applying. Be sure to talk to your lending institution or your local representative about any housing assistance programs that we list later in this article. They can help you get started and find you the best rate for your mortgage.
Types of home loans available
There are a variety of loans out there for you that don’t strictly require you to be a police officer to be awarded. However, with so few people knowing about them, the money just sits there unused. So we thought we’d tell you these best-kept secrets and how you can go about getting some of these loans.
Conventional Loans
There is always the option to go with a traditional home loan through your lending institution. Some institutions offer special discounts and rates for the local area they serve, so be sure to ask if your institution has a special rate for police officers.
While this is one of the more expensive options, it does give you the most freedom of where you live and the type of house you can buy. Especially if you are looking for something long-term or this isn’t your first home, this may be the best option for you. This can also be beneficial if your lender has a rate for police officers or a special member rate at credit unions or banks.
VA loans
If you or your spouse have served or currently serving in the Armed Forces, including the Reserves and the National Guard, you could qualify for a VA Loan. The loans funded by the Veterans Administration (VA) are for those in the military or those who have served. So if you have protected the country like you protect your community or pull double-duty and do both at the same time, a loan through the VA may be the right choice for you.
FHA loans
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) provides a lot of assistance for first-time homebuyers, especially when it comes to covering down payments. These vary from grants–which you don’t have to pay back– to low-interest or interest-free loans. There is a minimum credit score to qualify for these loans.
The FHA also is a great resource for finding state, county, and city housing loans. Housing assistance doesn’t stop at the federal level, and many states have money set aside for their residents to achieve their dreams of homeownership.
USDA loans
USDA loans
If you live in a rural area or are planning to move to one, you could qualify for a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These loans are for anyone who lives and works in rural communities. These loans have stipulations and minimums, but they are a good way to get down payment assistance on a home.
Location-specific home loans
Every state has a variety of home loans, and even some cities too. It is a good idea to see if you qualify for one of these. Other location-specific loans could include neighborhoods or site-specific homes that were previously foreclosed. There are some stipulations, such as length of residency for some aspects of these loans, so be sure to read all the fine print before signing.
Housing assistance for police officers
There are various programs available that offer a variety of home buying and selling assistance available for police officers. These programs are limited to certain people and jobs they serve and aren’t just for first-time homebuyers. You can receive discounted affiliated services and discounted rates for mortgages or on closing costs through these programs.
Hero Home Programs
Hero Home Programs serve community heroes to help them achieve homeownership or find the perfect next home. They also help renters and have special programs available for first-time homebuyers that can save money. But these are available within their specified occupations, no matter if it is your first home or your fifth home.
Perhaps the biggest advantages are that these programs are free to apply and cost nothing upfront. You just fill out an application of your name, contact information, and occupation, and the regional agent will get in touch with you! They also do all the legwork to find the perfect program for you.
Hero rewards
If you decide to go with Hero Rewards, you also get access to special rates for affiliated services, like carpet cleaning, appraisals, and more for those looking to move into their next home. There are even deals on closing costs, mortgage rates, and moving companies if you are looking to move across the country, across the state, or even across town.
Good neighbor next door
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gives up to 50% off the purchase price of a home in an area that is considered to be in need of revitalization. The only stipulation is that you have to live in the house for three years and keep your occupation as a police officer. There are also only certain houses that you can get within these neighborhoods, often those that were foreclosed. So if you are looking for a little fixer-upper and have no plans to move for a while, this is the perfect option for you.
Down payment resource
If you want to know upfront what you qualify for and what you don’t qualify for, or if you want to do your own sleuthing, Down Payment Resource is the place to go. You simply put in the requested information such as income, location, occupation, and veteran’s status. The search engine will then automatically match you with the grants and programs that you qualify for.
Conclusion
You protect and serve your communities. Now, let us protect and serve you. Police officers can save money on their mortgages and down payments through various home loans and home assistance programs. Whether it is your first home or your forever home, they can help keep more of your hard-earned paycheck in your pocket, along with making the home buying process smooth sailing.
Reach out to a Hero Home Program representative to see how much money you can save on your new home purchase.
