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2. Find a seller who is motivated to pay closing costs or carryback a percentage of loan - If you find a seller who is really motivated to work with you, that may help you get approved with a lender. If seller can pay your closing costs, this can free up that money so that you may have a small down payment. If seller is willing to carryback a percentage of loan then loan-to-value may be low enough that lender may consider that as good as a down payment. If seller is motivated to work with you, they may be willing to work through a down payment assistance program to help you make a down payment. It is illegal for a seller to give you down payment for their house, but through down payment assistance programs like Neighborhood Gold and Nehemiah program, it is totally legal.
3. Borrow or ask for a gift from relatives toward a down payment - After you have financed house, you can usually take out a 2nd or 3rd mortgage up to full value of your house, and then you would be able to repay relatives. Keep in mind that if you intend money to be as a loan only from relatives, you would need to disclose that to lender before you close. Lenders usually have regulations about where down payment is coming from and if you are not honest, it could be considered defrauding a lender.
To see a list of recommended mortgage loan companies online who service California, visit this page: www.abcloanguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml - Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide. It is an informational loan website, with informative articles and the latest finance news.