Buy a Home

Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance

The York Homebuyer Assistance Program (YHAP) is designed to assist first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing costs. There are actually two separate programs under the program, each with a few differences. Both require completion of the homebuyer workshops sponsored by the Housing Alliance of York. Participants are also required to use a participating lender.

Applies to purchase within the city only. It provides a five year forgivable loan for 2% of down payment and up to 6%-8% of the sales price for closing costs (based on a scale). Please take time to review the City YHAP Inspection Guidelines before selecting a property for the program.

**Please note: The County Program is currently going through a "transition" and will temporarily stop as of Friday, March 26, 2010. We anticipate a startup date in the near future.

Applies to purchases made throughout the county. It provides a five year forgivable loan for 2% towards down payment and up to 6% towards closing costs. The maximum contribution cannot exceed $5,000.00. Please take time to review the County YHAP Inspection Guidelines before selecting a program for the program.

Before you write a contract which attempts to utilize this program, please make sure you have read over the guidelines. There are income, property and procedural guidelines that need to be followed. Please remember the transaction take 55 days and the settlement date needs to reflect that.

Documents that need to be submitted to RAYAC:

1. YHAP Guidelines

2. YHAP Buyer Information Sheet

3. Copy of the Agreement of Sale

4. Financing Addendum to the Agreement of Sale

5. Buyers Inspection Notice Form

6. Sellers Inspection Notice Form

7. Copy of Sellers Disclosure

8. Copy of MLS print out

9. REALTOR® business card

The Housing Alliance of York offers homebuyer education that combines group workshops with one-on-one counseling. Two 3-hour workshops that utilize guest speakers from the local real estate community are followed up with 2-4 hours of individually tailored counseling to provide comprehensive instruction on the home-buying process.

• Workshop I- Overview of Homeownership/ Credit & Lending

• Workshop II- Real Estate & Settlement

• One-on-One Counseling

York City and York County residents interested in attending the workshops are required to register by calling the Housing Alliance of York at 717-854-1541 between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Early registration is recommended since space is limited.

• Housing Alliance of York Homebuyer Education Schedule

The closing cost assistance program helps qualified borrowers meet the financial requirements of a real estate settlement. This assistance may be used with various homeownership programs as a low interest loan that requires repayment on a monthly basis. Applicants may borrow from $2,000 to $7,000. To view program guidelines, click here:

• Steps to Buying a Home
• Home Ownership