Qualified, first-time home buyers using a Federal Housing
Administration (FHA)-insured mortgage now can apply the
$8,000 federal tax credit toward their down payments, the
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced.

Currently, borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage
are required to issue minimum down payments of 3.5 percent.
Buyers still must issue the mandatory 3.5 percent down payment,
but the tax credit now can be used as an additional down
payment, or for other closing costs, which can help lower
principal balances and monthly payments.