Bird Shi, Dadeville

Bird Shi was renting an apartment when his landlord informed him he would have to move out – quickly. In the video below, he shares his homebuying journey, including how his lender and Realtor made the process fast and easy. He also tells us how the Step Up program helped him buy the home that he and his wife and 4 kids now enjoy.

Step Up provides down payment assistance and a competitive 30-year, fixed interest rate for homebuyers who earn less than $97,300 and meet standards for creditworthiness. The down payment funds are secured by a 10-year second mortgage and are combined with a 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgage.

For even greater savings, Step Up can be combined with a Mortgage Credit Certificate, a tax credit that also frees up income to qualify for a mortgage. AHFA's down payment assistance and mortgage tax credits make homeownership affordable across Alabama.