Ohio Heroes Program For First Time Home Buyers

Ohio heroes make a difference in our lives by working hard in critical jobs every day. OHFA is proud to offer all the benefits of our First-Time Homebuyer Program to Ohio’s heroes at a .25% lower interest rate.

Do I Qualify?

The Ohio Heroes Program is available to the following full-time employees who are:

• Active Military, Active Reserve, or a Veteran – Qualified Active Duty Service personnel include Armed Services or Reserve Forces. Qualified veterans include military members honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics – Sworn paid members of a fire department whose regular duties include fire suppression or prevention, emergency medical response, hazardous materials response.
• Health Care Workers – Certified, accredited, or licensed health care workers who are employed full-time as a medical resident or fellow, dental hygienist, nurse, nursing assistant, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, physician’s assistant, medical technician, technologist, or therapist.
• Police Officers – Individuals commissioned as a police officer by a federal, state, county, or municipal or township government, or a public or private college or university; must be sworn to uphold, and make arrests for violations of federal, state, county, municipal, or township law or respond to terrorism.
• Teachers – Individuals employed full-time by an accredited or state recognized public school, private school, or federal, state, county, or municipal educational agency as a state-certified classroom teacher or administrator in grades K-12 or higher education.

Applicants for the Ohio Heroes Program must:

• Meet OHFA’s income and purchase price limits.
• Be a first-time homebuyer—someone who has not owned or had an ownership interest in his/her principal residence in the last three years. Not a first-time homebuyer? Check out our Target Area Loan Program.
• Be creditworthy. Minimum credit scores may apply.
• Have a signed Purchase and Sales Agreement.
• Qualify for the loan being requested. Lenders will assess your ability to afford a home by considering income, assets, job stability, liabilities, and other criteria.

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How to Apply

OHFA partners with a network of Ohio lenders to make our Ohio Heroes Program loans available on a continuous basis year round. Learn more about the loan process or contact a participating lender to apply.

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Loan Types

To meet each homebuyer’s needs, OHFA offers a variety of loan products including:

• Fannie Mae conventional loans with special features and flexible terms
• Government-insured loans including traditional FHA, VA, and USDA-RD loans

All OHFA loan products offer competitive rates and other beneficial features. Your lender can help you choose the right loan for your needs.

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Loan Features

• Available to any qualified homebuyer
• For new or existing homes
• Below market, 30-year fixed interest rate
• Flexible rate options
• Available in all 88 Ohio counties
• Generous purchase price limits

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Loan Fees

The following fees may apply to your loan:

• 1% origination fee
• $150 transfer fee
• $79 tax service fee
• .25% adverse market fee (conventional loans only)

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Down Payment Assistance

If you need or want assistance with your down payment and closing costs, OHFA offers a Down Payment Assistance Grant that can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

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Homebuyer Education

Some OHFA mortgage products and OHFA's Down Payment Assistance Grant and Homebuyer Advantage Loan require borrowers to participate in homebuyer education or counseling. All borrowers are encouraged to take advantage of the free homebuyer education classes available through HUD counseling agencies or to use OHFA's streamlined homebuyer education program. Learn more...

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About Recapture Tax

OHFA will reimburse borrowers for the full amount of any recapture tax in the rare instances where tax repayment is required. Learn more...

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Downloadable Information

You can download information about our loan programs from our download center.

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Questions?

Your lender and/or real estate agent can guide you through the home buying process and answer any questions you may have regarding the Ohio Heroes Program. You can also check out our homeownership FAQs.

If you need additional information, please contact:

Office of Homeownership
Ohio Housing Finance Agency
57 East Main Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
888.362.6432