For many aspiring homeowners, the down payment is a major barrier to achieving homeownership. But if you have a strong credit history and a good source of income, it doesn’t necessarily have to be. According to a recent article by Credit.com, there are a variety of down payment assistance programs offered by lenders, nonprofit organizations, and state and local housing authorities that could get you your dream home sooner. In Illinois, the 1stHomeIllinois program offers up to $7,500 in cash assistance toward your down payment and closing costs. To qualify, you must be a first-time homebuyer (or someone who has not owned a home in the last three years) and make less than $106,000 annually.

To learn more about down payment assistance programs, read the entire article.

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