One of the great programs out there is the FHA loan program. In fact, when my husband and I bought our home a year ago, we used the FHA loan program. But there are two important changes coming to FHA home loan rules on October 1, 2008:

* Using down payment assistance programs (DAPs) is out.
* The minimum down payment will be raised to 3.5% of the price, up from 3%

These are changes that should help ensure that those buying homes are more likely to better afford them. However, a last ditch effort is being made by some in Congress to delay closing the down payment assistance loophole.