Buy a Home

Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance

TheYork 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. The Community Progress Council is the current program administrator on behalf of the City of York and the County of York. Required completion of the homebuyer workshops are administrated by the Community Progress Council. 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). The maximum contribution cannot exceeed $7,000.00. Please take time to review the City YHAP Inspection Guidelines before selecting a property for the program.

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 property 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 by the REALTOR::

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-COUNTY PROPERTY

6. Sellers Inspection Notice Form-COUNTY PROPERTY

7. Buyers Inspection Notice Form-CITY PROPERTY

8. Sellers Inspection Notice Form-CITY PROPERTY

9. Copy of Sellers Disclosure

10. Copy of MLS print out

11. REALTOR® business card

The Community Progress Council offers homebuyer education that includes three 3-hour sessions. Sessions utilize local real estate experts and cover the home buying process from start to finish. Topics include fair housing, credit, mortgages, insurance, inspections and how to work with a REALTOR. These classes are a requirement of the York Homeuyer Assistance program and are free to the public. Anyone interested in attending these classes is required to register by contacting the Community Progress Council at 717-845-7176 or 1-800-892-5441. Click to see a list of scheduled classes.

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