The single most difficulty first-time homebuyers face is being able to save up the down payment. From student loans to medical bills; wanting to start a family or live in a more expensive city; coming up with those funds keeps many potential buyers out of the market.

In fact, if you don’t have your down payment saved up yet, you probably don’t think you can buy, but a recent report called the Realtors Confidence Index Survey Report claims that over eighty percent of first-time homebuying transactions take place with less than the common twenty-percent down payment.

Thankfully, there are programs out there just for you. These grants and funds may be just the boost you need. 

USDA Loans

If you’re interested in living in an area designated as rural, you may qualify for a home loan using a program set up by the Department of Agriculture. The USDA loans help low- and moderate-income buyers purchase homes in rural areas. While a down payment isn’t required, buyers must meet income eligibility requirements. They also must agree to live in the house as their primary residence. Specific addresses apply for these loan guarantees, so if you’re already looking at a rural home, double check the location to see if it qualifies.

National Homebuyers Fund

This non-profit corporation helps potential homebuyers with their down payment grants and closing costs, mortgage credits, energy efficiency financing, and other programs. To take advantage of these programs, the buyer must also qualify for FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans and be a low-to-moderate income earner. The program does not require that the buyer be a first-time homeowner so former homeowners who are looking to re-enter the market may qualify. Also, it’s FICO score and debt-to-income ratios are flexible.

HUD Neighbor Next Door

Purchasing a home through this program works to encourage buying in areas selected for renewal or revitalization. It provides funds for teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency medical technicians to purchase in these neighborhoods. This incentive is substantial, with up to fifty-percent reduction in the list price of an eligible home via a bid-selection process. 

If you’re interested in the HUD program and qualify in one of the public servant categories, contact a HUD-registered real estate broker for assistance. Or, contact your neighborhood real estate professional and ask about local programs in your area.

If you want to sell your house, you may want to take a close look at your home's interior. That way, you can identify any potential home interior issues and address them as quickly as possible.

Determining the best ways to transform your home's interior from drab to fab may seem difficult, particularly for a first-time home seller. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to enhance your residence's interior, and these include:

1. Cleaning

If it has been several weeks or months since you last cleaned your house, there is no time like the present to perform extensive home interior cleaning.

Wipe down countertops, mop the floors and clean every room of your house. By doing so, you can make your house look clean and pristine.

Also, if you need extra help cleaning your home, you may want to hire a cleaning company. With a team of home cleaning professionals at your side, you can speed up the process of improving your house's interior.

2. Decluttering

Clutter is an eyesore that home sellers should try to eliminate. Luckily, there are many quick, easy ways to remove clutter from your house.

Oftentimes, one person's clutter is another's treasure, and you may be able to sell excess items at a garage sale or online. Set competitive prices for your excess items, and you should have no trouble stirring up interest in these items.

You also can donate excess items to charities in your city or town. Reach out to local charities, and you may be able to get excess items picked up from your house.

3. Interior Upgrades

If you notice home interior lights are no longer working, cracks or dents in your walls or other minor home interior issues, you should spend some time performing various upgrades and repairs.

In most instances, minor home interior upgrades and repairs may require just a few minutes to complete. Meanwhile, these home interior improvements can make a world of difference in the eyes of homebuyers and can help your home stand out to potential buyers.

Clearly, there are many ways to improve a house's interior in no time at all. But if you require additional assistance, you can always hire a real estate agent to help you generate interest in your residence.

A real estate agent knows exactly what it takes to bolster a house's interior. He or she can help you assess your home's interior and prioritize assorted home interior improvements.

Furthermore, a real estate agent will make it easy to navigate all stages of the home selling process. This housing market professional will help you list your house and promote it to large groups of potential buyers. Plus, if you receive offers on your house, a real estate agent can help you evaluate these proposals and make an informed decision.

Don't hesitate to enhance your home's interior. Instead, consider the aforementioned options, and you can take the first step to improve your house's interior.

For home sellers who want to do whatever it takes to enhance a house's interior, depersonalization is key.

By depersonalizing a house's interior, a home seller can make it easy for a homebuyer to envision what life might be like if he or she purchases a residence. That way, a home seller can increase the likelihood of a fast, seamless and profitable home selling experience.

Effectively depersonalizing a home's interior can be simple – here are three areas that a home seller needs to consider to depersonalize a house's interior:

1. Photographs

Although photographs of loved ones, celebrations and family vacations may hang throughout your residence, now is the right time to take them down if you're selling your house.

Removing photographs from all walls and shelves is necessary to effectively depersonalize a house. In addition, don't forget to hide any photographs located in a home office.

2. Antiques

Antiques are beautiful treasures that deserve to be displayed. However, if you're selling your house, it may be worthwhile to temporarily store these items outside your residence.

When it comes to antiques, it is always better to err on the side of caution. If you have priceless treasures that need to be removed from your house, you should allocate the necessary time and resources to store them properly. This will enable you to minimize the risk of damage to your antiques while you sell your home.

In some instances, renting a storage unit for your antiques may prove to be a great idea. Or, if you have a family member or friend who has extra storage space available, he or she may be able to hold your antiques until your residence sells.

3. Artwork

Awe-inspiring artwork can help you show off your unique personality. But if you have bold paintings, sculptures or other artwork in your home, you may want to remove these items while your house is listed on the real estate market.

Artwork sometimes can be distracting, and as a result, may make it tough for homebuyers to imagine what life could be like if they purchase your house. Also, if artwork takes up lots of space, it might be difficult for homebuyers to see the full potential of your living space.

If you need help with depersonalizing your house's interior, you should reach out to a real estate agent for support.

A real estate agent understands how to showcase a residence to homebuyers. As such, he or she will offer honest, unbiased recommendations to help you depersonalize your residence's interior and ensure your home will capture homebuyers' attention.

Furthermore, a real estate agent can serve as your guide along the home selling journey. He or she will set up home showings and open houses, negotiate with homebuyers on your behalf and respond to your home selling concerns and questions at any time.

Ready to depersonalize your house's interior? Consider the aforementioned areas, and you can give your home's interior a fresh look and feel before you list your residence.