If finding the money for a down payment is standing in your way of buying a brand new home today we have some ideas that can help make your dream a reality. Don't miss the low prices, low interest rates and other incredible opportunities in today's real estate market. Find out how you may find the money to purchase your new home below.

1. Personal savings There is no better use of personal savings than to invest in your brand new home and your future. While this is the most common source of down payment funds, there are many other ways to find the total initial investment for your new home.
2. Gift funds This is money given to you as a gift that does not need to be repaid. The gift can come from a relative, employer, charitable organization, and certain public or governmental organizations.
3. Loan from family members FHA allows immediate family members to loan you all or part of your down payment, and to repay the loan over time. In some instances, if you qualify, you will be able to repay the loan immediately with the $8,000 Federal tax credit available if you buy and close on a new home by December 1, 2009.
4. Stocks, bonds, savings bonds or mutual funds Money from typical savings or investment instruments, like bonds, mutual funds or stocks can be used as your down payment. Statements from these accounts will show your loan counselor how much may be available to you.
5. Save while you buy This is a managed savings program during the construction of your new home. Ryland Mortgage Company will assist you in creating a weekly or monthly scheduled savings program while your new home is being built. This way, when the home is complete you will have saved the funds you need to make your down payment.
6. Retirement savings fund programs (IRA, Keogh, 401k, Thrift savings) Retirement designated funds may be able to make up all or part of your down payment. Typically up to about 60% of their value is available, possibly more. The funds may often be accessed under a variety of terms and conditions, depending on your needs.
7. Proceeds from the sale of your existing home Net proceeds from the sale of your current home make a great source of down payment for your new home. Net proceeds are the amount you receive after all loan payoffs and costs are deducted from the selling price.
8. FHA bridal registry program FHA loans allow 100% cash gift contributions for your down payment to come from your wedding guests as long as they do not have any financial interest in your new home. FHA Bridal Registry offers a private holding account in a local bank for easy documentation of the gift funds.
9. Sale of personal property You may be able to sell one or more piece of personal property that you own to create funds for your down payment. A boat, car, recreational vehicle, etc. may provide just the money you need to complete your purchase.
10. Collateralized loans Funds can be used toward your down payment from fully secured loans against real property, investment accounts or other assets you may own. Proper documentation of the secured loan will allow your RMC loan counselor to understand the value of these loans for use as your down payment.
11. Employer guarantee programs or employer assistance programs (typically during a relocation for employment).
    If you are involved in a relocation your employer may offer a guarantee to buy your current home or pay certain costs associated with the sale. Any net proceeds can be applied toward your new home down payment. In addition, your employer may offer to pay or assist with certain costs on your new home, such as closing costs, making more of your funds available for the down payment.
12. Disaster Relief Grants and Loans Grants or loans from state and federal agencies [e.g., Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)] that provide immediate housing assistance to individuals displaced due to natural disaster may be used for the borrower's cash investment. Secured or unsecured disaster relief loans administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be used.
13. Real estate commissions If you are a licensed real estate agent in the state where you are purchasing your new home you may qualify for a commission on the home you are purchasing. These funds may be used toward your down payment with no adjustment to the maximum loan amount on the purchase.

For more information on these programs and an application for financing your new Ryland home, please contact Ryland Mortgage Company or your financial professional.

Home prices in most markets have seen some of the steepest declines in years. Those that are in a position to buy today may be able to take advantage of the lower prices and vastly increase their purchasing power in the real estate market. With the combination of lower prices and lower mortgage interest rates the affordability of a brand new home is definitely in the buyer's favor.

The cost of ownership of a new home today is very favorable and, in many cases, it is more affordable to own a new home than to rent.

Mortgage interest rates are the lowest in decades. Freddie Mac reported the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate conforming loan was 4.91% on May 28, 2009. That compares to an average rate of 5.88% just a year earlier. Today's rates are lower than rates in the 1970's, 1980's or 1990's. You simply have the power to purchase more home now for a lower monthly mortgage payment than you may expect.

Today's historically low interest rates make it possible for you to buy so much more home and still maintain a low monthly payment that you can afford. In the two examples below we show that today's low mortgage rates can not only make your monthly payment very affordable, but give you the power to increase the amount of home you can purchase for that lower payment. Take a look.

Let's use a new home with a purchase price of $250,000 and a minimum 3.5% down payment.

Lower Monthly Payments

At an interest rate of 5.25% the monthly principle and interest is: $1,356. If you wait until interest rates increase to just 6.50% the monthly payment on the same home increases to $1,552. Waiting until interest rates rise when the general economy improves could cost you nearly $196 a month more for the same home.

Increased Buying Power

To demonstrate the additional purchasing power of today's lower mortgage rates let's look at how much more home you can buy today with the monthly payment of $1,356 in the example above.

A payment of $1,356 at 5.25% gives you the power to purchase a $250,000 home today. If you wait until the rates increase to 6.50% and want that same monthly payment of $1,356 your purchasing power will be reduced to $218,600. At today's monthly payment the increase in interest rate would lower your purchasing power by $31,400!

1. Up to an $8,000 tax credit that does not have to be repaid. If you're a first-time home buyer (or haven't owned a home in the past three years), the recent housing bill may enable you to receive this valuable tax credit. The tax credit is equal to ten percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000. You can receive this credit even if you don't owe any Federal income tax. And, the tax credit does not have to be repaid if you live in your new home for three years. Purchase and close on a home by December 1, 2009 to take advantage of this valuable opportunity. You can claim the credit on either your 2008 or 2009 tax filing.
2. Ryland Reassurance mortgage payment protection program Buy today with confidence. If you lose your job your mortgage will be paid while you find your new job. The Ryland Homes Reassurance Program is a two-year mortgage payment protection program for eligible Ryland homebuyers. The program will help alleviate the uncertainty of future employment status in the current economy for many potential buyers who want to buy a new Ryland home at today's lower prices and low interest rates, but may be holding back because of a perceived risk of employment loss.
3. Down payment matching program (available at selected communities) At selected communities Ryland Homes offers our Down Payment Matching program. We'll match your down payment amount up to 3.5% of the home's purchase price, lowering your monthly payment and increasing the initial investment in your new Ryland home.
4. Ryland Homes' Community Partner Program (available at selected communities) In selected cities Ryland Homes is proud to offer special purchasing programs to employees of partner companies, school districts, local government agencies and fire and police departments. Discounts, closing cost assistance and other added purchasing power programs can help employees buy their new home today. In addition, as part of our Community Partner Program, Ryland Homes will make a charitable donation to a selected organization of the partner company's choice. Helping families buy their home and helping the communities we all live in, it feels great.
5. Ryland Homes' Active Military and Veterans Program (available at selected communities) Ryland Homes takes pride in supporting our military families. In many cities across the country Ryland Homes offers active or retired military customers special discounts and other programs to make it easier to buy a new home today. See your local community sales office for specific details about increasing your purchasing power, including lowering your down payment to just $1.

These programs, along with other incentives in many cases, make now the best time to buy a brand new home in many years. Visit a Ryland Homes community today and let us show you how affordable and easy it can be to make your life better and live in a new Ryland home.

The Ryland Reassurance Program is a mortgage protection program based on involuntary job loss. This program is third party insurance provided by MortgageGuardian™ and contains restrictions on eligibility, and vesting and waiting periods apply. The actual terms, conditions and limitations of the Ryland Reassurance Program are established by the insuring documents. Ryland Homes is not affiliated with MortgageGuardian™. Ryland's Reassurance program is available for a limited time and may be modified or withdrawn without notice.

The Down Payment Match Program is limited to a maximum credit of 3.5% of the Total Purchase Price, and is available only to those financing with FHA or VA loans through Ryland Mortgage. The credit may not be used as part of the buyer's down payment and will not reduce the purchase price shown on the settlement statement. The credit will deducted from the purchase price to determine the maximum loan amount in accordance with applicable loan guidelines. This program may be withdrawn or modified without notice. Offer may vary by community and other restrictions may apply.

Buying a new home today, built with the latest materials and techniques, can save you money over the years you own your home and make a better environment for your family and all of us. Lower energy costs, more efficient water use, improved indoor air quality and safer materials for your family all contribute to a better life in today’s new Ryland home. Check out Ryland Homes’ HouseWorks program at a sales office near you to see all the ways your new home can help you live more affordably and more responsibly. It’s our way of helping you to live life, even better.