{"id":35084,"date":"2020-12-06T17:03:05","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T01:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?page_id=35084"},"modified":"2020-12-07T15:01:17","modified_gmt":"2020-12-07T23:01:17","slug":"guide-for-disabled-first-time-homebuyers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/guide-for-disabled-first-time-homebuyers\/","title":{"rendered":"Fulfilling the American Dream: A Guide for Disabled First-Time Homebuyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Redfin does not provide legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice from a licensed attorney. Redfin does not endorse any of the agencies or services mentioned. Redfin strongly recommends that consumers make informed decisions, and independently verify a service provider or resource will meet their needs.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re an adult living with a disability, you\u2019re no stranger to overcoming obstacles. However, when it comes to becoming a homeowner for the first time, the process may seem especially dauntin<\/span>g or stressful. But it doesn\u2019t have to be. By creating a plan and being prepared with the necessary resources, you can make your dream of homeownership a reality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide is designed to assist disabled first-time homebuyers<\/a>, like yourself, in navigating the home buying process<\/a>. <\/span>You will find information on what your rights are, resources to help you understand the processes involved in finding a home, and advice on how to proceed if you feel your rights have been violated. Additionally, you will find resources to make the most of the opportunities available to you for purchasing a home, whether your plans are to buy your first house or to relocate from your current residence to your dream home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Your rights as a disabled first-time homebuyer<\/span><\/h2>\n

Homebuyers with disabilities have the same opportunities as other homebuyers. <\/span>The following resources provide valuable information on the rules and organizations designed to ensure that your rights as a homebuyer are clearly defined and protected under federal law.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Fair Housing Act<\/span><\/a>: Under The Fair Housing Act, discrimination against a potential homebuyer based on his or her disability is illegal. You also have a right to sturdy, accessible housing, even if you are physically impaired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Fair Housing Act also prohibits acts that discriminate against disabled homebuyers. This includes the refusal to sell or negotiate for housing or dishonesty about available housing. A housing provider is prohibited from creating extra criteria for a potential homebuyer to purchase a home. For example, a seller may not refuse to sell a dwelling to someone with a disability, nor can they tack on extra fees or extend the waiting period for the purchase of the home. This resource on <\/span>housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act<\/span><\/a> provides information on what kind of housing the FHA covers, and the actions of a seller that are restricted by law.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity:<\/span><\/a> The FHEO was established to enforce the rights of any homebuyer, including those who are physically or mentally disabled. They provide financial assistance to state and local agencies that have a proven record of enforcing fair housing practices to further protect homebuyers from discrimination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regulation B<\/span><\/a>: Developed by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, Regulation B is designed to grant the right to credit lending regardless of factors such as race, age, or disability status. Regulation B also provides the rights of applicants to receive information on the status changes of an application and criteria used to determine whether a loan is approved or declined.<\/span><\/p>\n

Responsibilities of a mortgage lender to a homebuyer<\/span><\/h2>\n

When buying a home, many people choose to borrow a majority of the funds from a lending institution, such as a bank or credit union and make an initial down payment for a percentage of the purchase price with money they have saved on their own. There are three basic steps that will occur when you inquire about or apply for a mortgage:<\/span><\/p>\n