The Fannie 97 mortgage is part of Fannie Mae's suite of Community Lending mortgage products and options designed to help low- and moderate-income borrowers overcome the two primary barriers to homeownership: lack of funds for the down payment and insufficient income to qualify.
This is a fixed-rate mortgage loan, with terms between 15 years and 30 years. It is ideal for the potential low- and moderate-income home buyer who has enough income to handle monthly mortgage payments, but is having difficulty accumulating cash for the down payment.
Down payment of 3 percent from the borrower's own funds.
30-year, 20-year, or 15-year repayment periods (fixed-rate mortgages only; no ARMs allowed).
Up to 38 percent of borrower's gross monthly income can be used for housing costs and other recurring monthly debts, such as installment debts, revolving debts, and other obligations, and up to 33 percent of borrower's gross monthly income can be used for housing costs (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance).
To qualify for this loan, you must earn no more than 100 percent of the area median income for your Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) or county. However, exceptions to the area median income limit are available in specified high-cost areas:
120% of AMI in the Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA MSA
120% of AMI in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA MSA
135% of AMI in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH MSA
165% of AMI in the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA MSA
165% of AMI in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties (New York)
140% in the State of California
170% in the State of Hawaii
Requires that you have cash reserves equal to one month's mortgage payment after closing.
You must attend a home buyer education session offered or approved by your lender.
Can be used to buy one-family, principal residences, including condos and properties within a planned unit development.
Can be used with Fannie Mae's Community Seconds®.