Question: What about an all-cash offer?

Answer: Although most home buyers could never buy a property with all cash, anyone considering such a move (or who has bought a lottery ticket lately) may be wondering how to approach such a deal.

Because buyers sidestep the tedious and time-consuming loan qualification process, the deal can close very quickly. In addition to fewer hassles and a better position in price negotiations, the all-cash buyer's primary advantage is completely avoiding mortgage interest, which can total hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Buyers also save money that would be spent on loan origination fees, required appraisal, some closing costs and various other charges imposed by the lender.

At the same time, all-cash buyers should consider potential pitfalls of the transaction. Buyers who want to use the home as their primary residence lose out on many of the tax advantages available to homeowners with conventional loans, since the IRS allows home owners to deduct all mortgage interest on loans up to $1 million.

If you can afford to pay cash but are concerned about price appreciation, you may be better off obtaining some financing. Also, look at other which investments are paying off and determine if spending cash on a home is worthwhile.

Question: What are the risks of "b" and "c" loans?

Answer: The major risk is the cost of the loan. Desperate home buyers who are not selective when seeking an "A-," "B," "C" or "D" loan may find themselves locked into long-term loans with outrageous fees and interest rates. "Watch out how costly they are," said Jon Riccardi, a mortgage broker with MPR Financial in Albany, Calif. "Some of the quotes are a little difficult to quote."

Traditional lenders who offer conforming loans are extremely competitive. They must offer desirable terms or lose their share of the market. Meanwhile, hopeful home buyers who were rejected often turn to mortgage brokers and specialized mortgage lending businesses. Alternative lending sources not only offer a variety of loan products but also are more willing to deal with higher debt-to-income ratios, credit problems and other black marks on an individual's record.

In cases where negative information on a credit report may be due to disappear in the next few years, or a borrower expects their income to increase significantly, non-conforming loans without excessive prepayment penalties can be excellent. The borrower can obtain a conventional loan as soon as they qualify, yet enjoy the benefits of home ownership and establish equity in the meantime. Many home buyers engaged in this process look at these less desirable loans as a penalty while others are grateful for a second chance. Yet no one should be so anxious that they sign for a loan with questionable terms. "The goal of these loans is to pay them off quickly," Riccardi said. "What I've seen is, people don't investigate these loans enough and when they try to get out of it, realize what they got into."

Question: Are FHA loans assumable?

Answer: Lenders will only permit those loans that have a "subject to transfer" clause to be taken over through a formal assumption process. Look to your loan agreement for specific terms. In addition, you should candidly discuss any risks with your lender, and possibly consult an attorney before signing the final agreement.

Question: How do you find out if a loan is assumable?

Answer: Look to the loan agreement to determine if it is assumable by someone else. Then talk to the lender about specific requirements based on the value of the home.

Assumable loans permit one borrower to take over a loan from another borrower without any change in the loan terms. Such loans still exist but they aren't very common or popular (for buyers) in a low-interest-rate environment. Plus, today new assumable loans are almost always adjustable rate mortgages.

Question: What is a wrap-around loan?

Answer: "This method of seller financing is risky if the underlying first loan has a "due on sale" clause because the loan might be called due when the first lender becomes aware that the property has transferred title," says Dian Hymer, author of "Buying and Selling a Home, A Complete Guide," Chronicle Books, 1994.

A seller usually will want to incorporate a late charge to encourage the buyer to make monthly loan payments on time. "A buyer will probably want to stipulate that prepayment of the loan be without penalty. This should not cause a problem unless the loan payments are a source of retirement income, in which case early prepayment could have negative financial repercussions for the seller...

"Most sellers prefer to have a due-on-sale provision included in the note, but this can be a negotiable item. Buyers who are concerned that they might be forced to sell during a period of high interest rates can request that the note be assumable by a future buyer, and sellers might find this provision agreeable as long as they have the right to approve the future buyer's credit report and financial statement," Hymer writes.

Question: Can someone who is unemployed get a loan?

Answer: Generally, lenders will not make loans to unemployed persons because someone without an income would seemingly have no way of making monthly mortgage payments.

However, there are home loans for which lenders require very little loan documentation as long as the borrower puts down a sizable down payment, generally 25 percent or more. These "no-doc" loans are common among self-employed people who say they earn a certain amount of money but whose income tax returns show that their earnings are much lower.

Borrowers should check directly with lenders when seeking a no-doc loan. If specific lenders do not offer them, ask for a referral.

Question: What are no-doc loans?

Answer: "No-doc" loans are mortgages for which lenders require very little loan documentation as long as the borrower puts down a sizable down payment, generally 25 percent or more.

These mortgages are common among self-employed people who say they earn a certain amount of money but whose tax returns show that their earnings are much lower.

Question: Are 40-year mortgages a good idea?

Answer: Smaller monthly payments are the primary advantage of adding 10 years to the traditional 30-year mortgage, but real estate experts say the shorter-term loan usually is more beneficial for the home buyer. The drawback becomes apparent simply by calculating the cost of additional interest payments, which can total thousands for a few dollars difference in mortgage payments.

Question: What about a 15-year v. 30 year loan?

Answer: The difference in payments and overall savings between a 15-year fixed-rate loan and a 30-year fixed-rate loan depends on the interest rate and the loan amount. Using a $100,000 loan and 7.25% interest rate as an example, monthly payments on the 15-year note would be $912.86. Monthly payments on a $100,000 loan at 7.25% fixed for 30 years would be $682.18.

The 15-year note offers the opportunity to save considerable money over the life of the loan, since the period of amortization is half that of the 30-year note. This means that the total interest paid on a 15-year note as compared to a 30-year note is significantly less.

However, calculating the overall savings of the 15-year note over the 30-year note depends on several individual circumstances, such as the borrower's changing income status.

Question: What about splitting my mortgage in two and paying bi-weekly?

Answer: Some people set on paying off their home loan early and reducing interest charges opt for a biweekly mortgage. Monthly payments are divided in half, payable every two weeks.

Because there are 52 weeks in a year, the program results in 26 half-payments, or the equivalent of 13 monthly payments per year instead of 12. Using the biweekly payment system, a homeowner with a $70,000, 30-year biweekly mortgage at 10 percent interest could save $60,000 in interest and pay off the balance in less than 21 years.

Question: How do lease options work and what are the benefits?

Answer: A lease option is an arrangement with you and a seller to exercise the option to buy a house after you have rented it for a specific period. A portion of your rent would be applied toward the purchase if the option is exercised. This is referred to as rent credit, which most institutional lenders will accept as part of the down payment if rental payments exceed the market rent and if a valid lease-purchase agreement is in effect, a copy of which must be attached to the loan application.

If you are a seller, lease options can give you several advantages, especially in a slow market. These include a monthly rent higher than market rent, top-market value for the property and tax-free use of the option consideration until the option expires or is exercised. Also, the renter is more likely to treat the property like an owner, tax-free use of option consideration until the option expires or is exercised.

Read any lease-option arrangement carefully for details on transferring the option and other important concerns.

Question: What is a lease option?

Answer: When a renter signs a lease with an option to purchase a property for a specific price within a certain time frame, which is called a lease option. In most lease-option situations, a portion of the rent is applied to a future down payment.

Lease options are most popular among buyers who don't have enough funds for a down payment and closing costs.

Question: Where do I get information on lease options?

Answer: Contact your real estate agent (some even specialize in such transactions) or read up on lease options at the public library. If you have a real estate attorney, ask if he or she has any prepared information you can review. Most bookstores have a fairly hefty real estate book section these days. Many current real estate books have at least a section on lease options.

If you are considering a lease option, be sure you do your homework first. And have an attorney or financial advisor on hand to review any paperwork before you sign.

Question: Is there such a thing as a no-cost or no-fee loan?

Answer: Not really. While some lenders occasionally promote "no-cost" loans, banking regulators have cracked down on these misrepresentations. Advertised "no-fee" loans may actually cost the borrower more over the long term because these costs are often rolled into the new note through higher interest or more principal.

A typical no-fee loan is one where the points charged and all fees are included in the loan principal, meaning that the borrower does not pay these expenses at the close of escrow, but instead ends up paying on them over the life of the loan. The loan is called a no-fee loan because the borrower is not charged any fees up front.

Question: What about these ads for no-cost loans?

Answer: In many states, real estate regulatory agencies are cracking down on such advertising. The very term, "no-cost" loan, is misleading because borrowers are actually paying a higher interest rate in exchange for not having to pay fees or closing costs up front when the loan is secured.

A "no-points" loan is one for which the lender does not charge points (one point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount). But there are other fees involved in no-point loans, as with most loans.

Question: Are there alternatives to low-down-payment loans?

Answer: There are a variety of alternative financing arrangements such as equity sharing, employer housing assistance, seller-financing and lease options that may reduce the size of the down payment.

Question: Are there low-down-payment home loans?

Answer: A host of private lenders offer low-down-payment loans. In addition, there are government programs to help cash-strapped buyers.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a variety of programs through the Federal Housing Administration that require approximately 4 to 5 percent cash down. Loan limits vary depending on the county where the property is located.

Fannie Mae's Community Home Buyers program allows people to buy with just 3 percent down. For details, contact lenders who offer government-insured loans. In addition to calling lenders for information, contact Fannie Mae directly at (800) 832-2345.

Question: Can I get a HUD home for as little as $100 down?

Answer: If you are strapped for cash and looking for a bargain, you may be able to buy a foreclosure property acquired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for as little as $100 down.

With HUD foreclosures, down payments vary depending on whether the property is eligible for FHA insurance. If not, payments range from 5 to 20 percent. But when the property is FHA-insured, the down payment can go much lower.

Each offer must be accompanied by an "earnest money" deposit equal to 5 percent of the bid price, not to exceed $2,000 but not less than $500.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also offers foreclosure properties which can be purchased directly from the VA often well below market value and with a down payment amount as low as 2 percent for owner-occupants. Investors may be required to pay up to 10 percent of the purchase price as a down payment. This is because the VA guarantees home loans and often ends up owning the property if the veteran defaults.

If you are interested in purchasing a VA foreclosure, call 1-800-827-1000 to request a current listing. About 100 new properties are listed every two weeks.

You should be aware that foreclosure properties are sold "as is," meaning limited repairs have been made but no structural or mechanical warranties are implied.

Question: Do I have to disclose a parent's gift?

Answer: Having generous parents is nothing to hide. An estimated one-third of first-time buyers purchase their home with a loan or a money gift from their parents.

Lenders will ask for a gift letter stating that no repayment of the "gift" is expected. In addition to the letter, a lender can ask for two or three months' worth of statements for the account where the down payment funds are located. If the money was recently placed into that account, the lender may ask where it came from and request verification of that source as well.

Question: Do states offer help to home buyers?

Answer: Most states have a housing finance agency, usually located in the state capital, which offers help for first-time home buyers.

Question: How can Fannie Mae help a home buyer?

Answer: Fannie Mae's Community Home Buyers Program allows first-time buyers with little cash to obtain 95 percent financing. Participants may put down as little as 3 percent of their own money, with the remainder permitted in the form of a gift from family members, a government program or nonprofit agency. Mortgage insurance is required on all loans above 80 percent loan-to-value ratio when borrowers do not use their own funds for at least 5 percent down.

The program is administered through participating lenders. There are income limits in different states. However, the income restriction is waived when borrowers participate in the Fannie Neighbors program. Fannie Neighbors also has lower income requirements for borrowers who want to buy in designated central cities.

People who are borrowing in either of these programs must attend a seminar on home ownership and the home buying process.

Question: How do some of these low-down programs work?

Answer: Most of the private and government low-down loan programs have special requirements. These rules range from requiring borrowers to be first-time home buyers to limits on family income.

In general, cities and counties require that borrowers earn no more than 100 percent to 120 percent of the county's average household income. However, some programs such as the Federal Housing Administration have no income restrictions and do not require the borrower to be a first-time buyer.

Many private low-down loan programs insist borrowers have good credit and also that they obtain private mortgage insurance, which is a small monthly insurance payment that insures the lender against default. Some of the city and county programs are available only in targeted neighborhoods where local leaders are trying to spark reinvestment or increase the homeownership rate.

Question: Is PMI always required on low-down home loans?

Answer: A growing number of private lenders are loosening up their requirements for low-down-payment loans. But private mortgage insurance, or PMI, usually is required on loans with less than a 20 percent down payment. The Homeowners Protection Act states PMI must be dropped on any loan originated after July 29, 1999 IF it has a 78 percent loan-to-value ratio.

Question: Should I put more or less down, if we can afford it?

Answer: Putting down as little as possible allows buyers to take full advantage of the tax benefits of home ownership, many experts say. Mortgage interest and property taxes are fully deductible from state and federal income taxes. Buyers using a small down payment also have a reserve for making unexpected improvements.

Other real estate experts, however, advise that it is more prudent to make a larger down payment and thereby reduce the amount of debt that must be financed.

Question: What is a low down payment?

Answer: A low down payment is anything less than the standard 20 percent. Many people borrow with less than 20 percent down by obtaining private mortgage insurance, or PMI. There also are numerous programs to help first-time buyers with little or no down payment, including FHA, VA and Fannie Mae's Community Home Buyers Program.

Question: What is Fannie Mae's low-down program?

Answer: Fannie Mae is expanding the availability of low-down-payment loans in an effort to help more people nationwide qualify for a mortgage.

Two new programs will help potential buyers overcome two of the most common obstacles to home ownership, low savings and a modest income.

To address many first-time buyers' struggles to save the down payment, Fannie Mae developed Fannie 97. The program provides 97 percent financing on a fixed-rate mortgage with either a 25- or 30-year loan term through Fannie Mae's Community Home Buyers Program.

Fannie Mae's new Start-Up Mortgage will assist buyers with a 5 percent down payment who are at any income level. Yet applicants do not need as much income to qualify and less cash for closing than with traditional mortgages. Borrowers will receive a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with a first-year monthly payment that is lower than the standard fixed-rate loan.

Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae's counterpart, also offers low-down-payment loan programs.

Question: Where do I get information on PMI?

Answer: Look for tips in "A Mortgage Insurance Guidebook," or "How to Buy a Home with a Low Down Payment," published by the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America, 805 15th St., N.W., Suite 1110, Washington, DC 20005; call (202) 393-5566 to order.

Question: Who do I call for a low-down-payment loan?

Answer: Here are several popular programs available to home buyers, along with the appropriate telephone numbers for more information:

• The Federal Housing Administration has programs which require as little as 3 or 4 percent cash down. FHA loans are originated and serviced by private lenders. Check with local lenders to find the best source for your loan.
• Veterans (and reservists) who qualify can buy a home with no money down through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Call 1-800-827-1000 to find out more.
• Both the VA and FHA offer foreclosure properties for sale, some requiring as little as $100 down. Anyone interested in a VA foreclosure can call 1-800-827-1000 to request a current listing. For FHA-insured properties, call your local U.S. Housing and Urban Development office for more information.
• Fannie Mae helps buyers who can put down as little as 3 percent of their own money. To see if this can work for you, call 1-800-732-6643.
• Many cities and counties offer special housing loans in order to promote the benefits of home ownership in their communities. To find out what funds may be available to you, inquire at your local housing department.

Question: Are there no-down payment home loans?

Answer: Though some real estate experts advise against it, home buyers interested in buying a house with nothing down can do so. Occasionally, a builder will offer no-down-payment loans to induce sales in an otherwise slow-moving project. Desperate sellers will also promise to finance the down payment to get out from under a property. A veteran can buy a house with nothing down through a VA home loan, as can members of some pension funds.

Question: Is equity sharing a good idea?

Answer: Equity sharing is not as popular in a slowly appreciating real estate market as in a rapidly appreciating one (when equity investors are easy to find).

Nevertheless, a form of equity sharing called tenants-in-common partnerships is becoming more popular, particularly in high-priced markets. First-time buyers are the most interested in TIC arrangements because it gives them a way to buy property collectively with an unrelated partner.

Loan underwriting standards are more complicated in TIC deals because lenders have more than one party's financial situation to assess. But many standard loan programs do apply.

Question: What about nothing down?

Answer: Though some real estate experts advise against it, home buyers interested in buying a house with nothing down can do so. But it's not easy finding these loans and in some cases they can be risky. Occasionally, a builder will offer no-down loans to induce sales in an otherwise slow-moving project. Desperate sellers also may agree to finance the full purchase price to get out from under a property. The Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, loan program is one program that allows buyers to qualify for a no-down loan.

Question: What is a reverse mortgage loan?

Answer: A reverse mortgage is a special type of loan available only to older homeowners with full or nearly full equity in their homes. Such owners can borrow against the equity they have built up over the years, but no repayment is necessary until the borrower sells the property or moves elsewhere. If the borrower dies before the property is sold, the estate repays the loan (plus any interest that has accrued.

These loans have become increasingly popular. If you believe you qualify for such a loan, be sure to have the document reviewed by an attorney or financial advisor.

Question: How are the rates set for seller financing?

Answer: The interest rate on an owner-carried loan is negotiable. Ask your agent to check with a lender or mortgage broker to determine the current rate on institutional first (or second) loans.

Seller financing typically costs less than conventional financing because sellers don't charge loan fees (points). Interest rates on an owner-carried loan will also be influenced by current Treasury bill and certificate of deposit rates. Sellers usually aren't willing to carry a loan for a lower return than they would earn if their money was invested elsewhere.

Question: What are the benefits of seller financing?

Answer: Seller financing offers tax breaks for sellers and alternative financing for buyers who can't qualify for conventional loans.

If you are a seller, the risks you face are the same as those facing any lender: Is the borrower a good credit risk? Will the property hold enough value over time to allow for the repayment of all loans made against it?

You should run a full credit check on the borrower, require hazard insurance on the property and include a due-on-sale clause. There also are financing, disclosure and repayment-term requirements that need to be met. It is wise to consult a lawyer when putting together this kind of transaction.

Question: What is seller financing?

Answer: Seller financing is when a seller helps to finance a real estate transaction by taking back a second note or even financing the entire purchase if the seller owns the home free and clear. Usually sellers do this when a buyer has difficulty qualifying for a conventional loan or meeting the purchase price.

Seller financing differs from a traditional loan because the seller does not give the buyer cash to complete the purchase, as does a lender. Instead, it involves extending a credit against the purchase price of the home while the buyer executes a promissory note and trust deed in the seller's favor. These special circumstances must be acceptable to the lender who makes the first mortgage on the property.

The necessary paperwork is prepared by the title or escrow company after the terms are worked out between the buyer and seller.

If you are a seller considering such an arrangement, it is critical to thoroughly evaluate the creditworthiness of the buyer first. Fear of default makes many sellers reluctant to take back a second. But seller financing can bring a higher price plus complete the sale sooner in some situations. For more information, contact the Internal Revenue Service for a copy of its Publication 537, "Installment Sales." Order by calling (800) TAX-FORM.