How to Get a Native American Home Loan
Getting approved for a tribal loan always comes with its own concerns. If you are a member of a Native or Alaskan tribe and want to find a better way to finance a home, the Section 184 Guaranteed Home Loan program from HUD is a great choice. This program is designed specifically for tribe members and has its own rules, requirements, and terms to understand.
Keep reading to learn all about this financing, including what it is and how to qualify, as well as what you can do to increase your chances of approval. These loans are tricky because some of the rules are set forth by HUD, while some things are left to the discretion of the participating tribes. Understanding the difference can make the process easier.
What Is the HUD Section 184 Loan Program?
This program was developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a resource for financing homes on Native American Indian reservations and for those of Native American descent in the United States. The program offers a straightforward financing solution for Native American and Alaskan tribe members, with several different perks. It offers interest rates that are different than the standard market rates and down payment amounts are different.
The terms of these home loans are also going to be much different, and they could vary from one tribe, state, or region to another. By working with a professional lender that understands the intricacies of this financing, you will have an easier time getting your loan approved and getting the information that you need along the way.
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Who Is Eligible for This Loan?
The Section 184 loan is guaranteed to any member of a Native American or Alaskan Tribe that is part of the Federally Recognized Tribe collective. Tribal enrollment or verification will be required for all applicants who seek a Section 184 loan. All enrollment decisions are at the discretion of the tribal government, not the lender.
Participating tribes will be responsible for determining where they allow Section 184 loans. Some allow it statewide for their members while others will only allow it in certain counties. There are even classes and counseling sessions available to tribe members and some tribes offer financial assistance for those who take classes before getting a loan from this program.
This loan is either a 15- or 30-year fixed loan that includes escrow for property taxes and home insurance. These loans can be used for the purchase of an existing home, refinancing a home loan, new construction, or even as a home improvement loan.
Section 184 Benefits and Loan Guidelines
These loans are guaranteed for all tribe members, as discussed in the eligibility section, which is perhaps the biggest benefit of the program. Other perks include:
● Low interest rates that are based entirely on the market rates, not the credit score of the applicant
● Lower down payments than standard mortgage programs
● Lower mortgage insurance, both upfront and monthly, than other financing programs
● Safe lending with all fees reviewed carefully and loans structured properly
● Guaranteed financing backed by the federal government
● Each county or state has its own rules and requirements
● Tribes can have input about who qualifies and where loans can be approved to help retain control of their lands and communities
● Flexible underwriting with fewer requirements for borrowers
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Where Can You Use These Loans?
In the United States, some states have full approval and some have partial approval. You can find a full list of approved states, counties, lenders, and tribes at the HUD website, but as a general rule, Section 184 financing is available in every state to some capacity, except:
● Ohio
● Tennessee
● Georgia
● Kentucky
● West Virginia
● Pennsylvania
● Vermont
● New Hampshire
● Maryland
● Delaware
● New Jersey
All of the rest of the states have at least partial approval, with several states having full approval for Section 184 financing of a home purchase.
Section 184 Lender Participation List (May 2020)
Approved Lenders | Phone Number | Website | States Available |
1st Tribal Lending / Mid American Mortgage | 866-235-4033 | www.1tribal.com | all states |
1st Capital Mortgage LLC | 918 274-1519 | www.1stcapitalok.com | Ok |
Academy Mortgage Corporation | 800-660-8664 | www.academymortgage.com | AK,AZ, MI |
ACC Temecula Home Loans | 951-225-6900 | www.AccTemeculaHomeLoans.com | AZ, CA, NM |
Alaska Pacific Bank | 907-790-5196 | www.alaskapacificbank.com | AK |
Alaska USA FCU | 800 525-9094 | www.alaskausa.org | AK, WA |
American Bank of Oklahoma | 918-686-7300 | www.americanbankok.com | Ok |
American Mortgage & Equity Consultants, IN | 952-715-3839 | www.amecinc.org | all states |
American Mortgage Services | 877-602-7380 | www.ams-ok.com | AR, KS, OK |
America Southwest Mortgage Funding Corp | 405-848-3600 | all states | |
American Southwest Mortgage Corp | 888-593-1003 | www.amswmtg.com | all states |
Americas Lender LLC | 918-682-9037 | www.americaslenderonline.com | TX, OK |
American Pacific Mortgage | 503 550-2662 | www.grlpdx.com | OR,WA,CA |
AmeriPro Funding, Inc | 512-335-5300 | www.ameriprofunding.com | all states |
Armstrong Bank | 866-773-6678 | www.armstrongbank.com | OK |
Arvest Mortgage Company | 918-631-1500 | www.arvest.com | AR,OK |
Associated Mortgage Corp | 918-491-9900 | www.amcmtg.com | OK |
AVB Bank | 918-251-9611 | www.bankavb.com | OK |
BancFirst | 877-602-2262 | www.bancfirst.com | OK |
Bank 2 | 405-949-7000 | www.bank2online.com | all states |
Bankers Mortgage Corporation | 913-451-8488 | www.bankersmortgage.com | all |
Bank of Commerce | 918-266-2567 | www.bankboc.com | all states |
Bank of England | 888-639-2517 | http://www.184loans.com/ | all staes |
Bank of Oklahoma (BOKF NA) | 800-234-6181 | www.bankofoklahoma.com | all states |
Bank SNB | 888-762-4762 | www.snb.com | all staes |
Bay Bank | 920-490-7600 | www.baybankgb.com | IA, IL, MI, MN, WI |
Cascade Northern Mortgage | 360-882-0802 | www.cascadenorthernmortgage.com | all states |
Cascade Residential Mortgage | 503 892-0011 | www.cascaderm.com | CA, OR, WA |
Catalyst Lending | 303-843-4540 | www.catalystlending.com | AZ,CA, CO,KS,MO,NM,TX, UT |
Capital Mortgage LLC | 515-440-0554 | www.capitalmortgageiowa.com | all states |
Centennial Home Mortgage, LLC | 405-615-0146 | www.centennialmtg.com | OK |
Cherry Creek Mortgage | 303-320-4040 | www.cherrycreekmortgage.com | all states |
Chippewa Valley Bank | 715-266-3501 | www.chippewavalleybank.com | MI, MN, ND, WI,IL |
Citizens Bank of Ada | 580-332-6100 | www.citizensada.com | all states |
Citizens Community Credit Union | 701-665-1303 | www.citizens-cu.org | ND, SD |
Cliff Mortgage | 360-683-4848 | www.cliftmtg.com | WA |
Cornerstone Home Lending | 702-492-5077 | www.houseloan.com | all states |
DAS Acquisition Company LLC | 314-628-2000 | www.usa-mortgage.com | |
Denali Alaskan Federal CU | 866-450-3262 | denalialaskanhomeloans.com | AK |
DHI Mortgage Company, LTD | 512-502-0545 | www.dhimortgage.com | all |
Directors Mortgage, Ince | 503.636.6000 | directorsmortgage.net | all states |
Eagle Bank | 406-883-2940 | https://www.eaglebankmt.com/ | MT |
Exchange Bank and Trust Co | 405-742-0202 | www.easybanking.net | ok |
Fairway Independent Mortgage | 608-837-4800 | www.fairwayindependentmc.com | all states |
Financial Concepts Mortgage LLC | 405-722-5626 | www.fcmortgageloans.com | OK |
First American Mortgage Inc | 405-354-0426 | http://faminc.biz/ | OK |
First Choice Loan Services Inc | 888-639-2517 | www.184loans.com | all states |
First Commercial Bank | 405-844-0110 | https://www.firstcommercialbk.com | OK |
First Mortgage Company LLC | 405-302-0009 | www.firstmortgageco.com | CO, OK |
First National Bank & Trust Co (Of Shawnee) | 405-275-8830 | www.fnbokla.bank | all states |
First National Bank Alaska | 907-777-4362 | www.fnbalaska.com | AK |
First Priority Financial Inc | 707-432-1000 | http://firstpriorityfinancial.com | CA |
First United Bank and Trust Co | 800-924-4427 | www.firstunitedbank.com | all states |
Founders Group of Nevada | 405-471-6660 | www.foundersmortgageinc.com | OK |
Gateway Mortgage Group | 877-406-8109 | www.gatewayloan.com | all states |
Georgetown Mortgage LLC | 512-930-7888 | www.gtnmtg.com | all states |
Goldmark Financial Corp | 425-776-1166 | www.goldmarkfinancial.com | WA |
Great Plains National Bank (GPN) | 405-720-7064 | www.gpnbank.com | all states |
Guild Mortgage Company | 405-830-5326 | www.guildmortgage.com | ND, OR, SD, WA |
Hana Financial, Inc | 213-977-7216 | www.hanafinancial.com | all |
Homestate Mortgage Company LLC | 907-762-5890 | www.homestatemtg.com | AK |
Homestead Mortgage Services Inc | 918-456-5599 | www.mortgagelendersearch.net | OK |
Hunt Mortgage Services | 405-361-5172 | www.loan-mortgagebroker.com | OK |
Iserve Residenital Lending LLC | 480-614-6700 | www.iservelending.com | AZ, CA, CO, NV, NM |
Jackson County Bank | 715-284-5341 | www.jacksoncountybank.com | WI |
Key Mortgage group, Inc | 505-334-2510 | azeteckey.com | nm, co |
Keystone Mortgage Company | 800-289-6712 | http://keystonehomeloans.com/ | MT WA |
Kodiak Island Housing Authority | 907-486-8111 | www.kodiakislandhousing.com | AK |
Leader Mortgage Corp | 918-682-4888 | http://leadermuskogee.com | OK |
Leader One Financial Corp | 800-270-3416 | www.leader1.com | KS, OK |
Legacy Mortgage LLC | 505-296-4747 | www.legacymortgagenm.com | NM |
Lighthouse Financial Enterprises, Inc | 503-485-9500 | greatestlender.com | OR |
LoanDepot | 888-337-6888 | www.loandepot.com | all states |
Lumbee Guaranty Bank | 910-521-9707 | www.lumbeeguarantybank.com | NC |
M&T Bank (servicing only) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Finance Corp | 218-335-8581 | www.mctfc.org | MN |
Mortgage Broker Network Group LLC (MBNG) | 918-449-9838 | www.mbng.com | OK |
Native American Bank | 866-522-0438 | http://www.nabna.com/ | all states |
Neighborhood Mortgage | 360-671-8044 | www.neighborhoodmortgage.net | WA |
New Executive Mortgage | 989-671-3500 | www.execmortgageofmi.com | MI |
Open Mortgage LLC | 512-492-3300 | www.openmortgage.com | all states |
Pacific Residential Mortgage, LLC | 503-699-5626 | www.[acresmortgage.com | all states |
Patriot Mortgage Corporation | 541-767-0520 | www.patriotmortgageteam.com | CA, OR, WA |
Peoples Bank & Trust Co | 580-757-2409 | www.peoplesbankusa.com | OK |
Price Mortgage Group, Inc | 405-513-7700 | midwestfamilylendingcorp.com | ok |
PrimeLending | 800-317-7463 | www.primelending.com | all states |
Pro Mortgage Associates Inc | 800-328-9918 | www.profmortgage.com | OK |
Prosperity Bank | 918-748-7177 | http://hlc.prosperitybankusa.com/ | OK TX |
Real Estate Financial Services | 800-732-5414 | www.Fin_Svc.com | CA |
RCB Bank | 855-226-5722 | www.rcbbank.com | KS, OK |
Homestar Financial Corp | 770-503-0380 | www.homestarfc.com | all sates |
Red Rock Mortgage & Lending LLC | 405-488-5626 | www.redrocklend.com | OK |
Regent Finanial Group Inc | 800-254-4103 | www.regentfinancial.com | AR, IA, KS, NE, OK |
Republic B&T (RBT) | 800-994-2055 | www.bankrbt.mobi | OK |
Resident Lending Group Inc | 503-589-1999 | www.residentlendinggroup.com | OR, WA |
Residential Mortgage LLC (RM) | 907-222-8800 | www.residentialmtg.com | AK, WA |
Resource Mortgage of Norman | 405-290-1404 | www.mortgagelendersearch.net | OK |
Spirit Bank NA | 800-352-1171 | www.spiritbank.com | OK |
Spirit of Alaska Federal Credit Union | 800-478-1949 | www.spiritofak.com | AK |
Stillwater Mortgage | 307-237-7002 | www.stillwatermortgage.net | OK, WY |
Suburban Mortgage Inc | 602-942-7777 | www.submort.com | AZ, NM |
Summit Funding Inc | 951-634-3532 | www.summitfunding.net | CA,ID |
Sun West Mortgage Corp | 800-453-7884 | www.swmc.com | all states |
Starboard Financial | 480-897-9777 | starboardfinancial.com | all states |
The Bank, NA | 918-423-2265 | www.thebankna.com | all states |
The Private Mortgage Group, LLC | 402-392-5800 | theprivatemortgagegroup.com | all states |
Tutrle Mountain State bank | 701-477-5995 | www.tmstatebank.com | all states |
Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority | 888-241-6868 | www.thrha.org | AK |
Today Lending LLC | 877-863-2901 | www.todaylending.com | FL, KS, OK, OR, |
Towne Mortgage Co. | 888-778-9700 | www.townemortgage.com | all states |
True North FCU | 907-523-4710 | www.truenorthfcu.org | all states |
TTCU- The Credit Union | 918-749-8828 | www.ttcu.com | all |
United Funding Fidelity Corp. | 866-760-0600 | www.uffwholesale.com | AR, MO, OK |
Universal Lending Corp | 800-758-4063 | www.ulc.com | OK, NM, CO, WY |
US Mortgage Corporation | 631-580-2600 | www.usmortgage.com | all states |
Valliance bank | 405-286-5700 | vbank.com | all sates |
VanDyk Mortgage | 616-940-3000 | www.vandykmortgage.com | all |
V.I.P. Mortgage, INC | 480-966-0919 | www.vipmtginc.com | all states |
Vision Bank | 580-332-5132 | www.visionbank.bank | all states |
W R Starkey Mortgage LLP | 866-952-4968 | www.wrstarkey.com | Ok, CO |
WestStar / Everett Funding, Inc | 800-281-6446 | www.westloan.com | all states |
Woodlands National Bank | 888-532-4142 | www.woodlandsnationalbank.com | MN, WS |
HUD Section 184 FAQ
This program was created to address the lack of mortgage funding available in Indian Country. The idea was to offer a guarantee to private lenders for funding these homes to ensure that people could buy homes and that the mortgage industry could continue. Because of the complex nature of relationships between tribes and the federal government, the process of lending in the territories is much more difficult and this program was designed to resolve that issue.
No, these loans aren’t eligible in all areas. There are specific states and in some states even specific counties, where Section 184 loans can be used for financing home purchases. Furthermore, some tribes and lenders may have their own rules about where the loans can be used, so you’ll want to check with everyone before you get started. You can also work with an experienced lender to ensure that you get the right loan for your needs.
The application process is similar to that of a traditional mortgage. You’ll want to take the time to review the process and make sure that you have all of the necessary paperwork and documentation to expedite the process. The biggest difference is that the tribe may be involved in some of the decisions and steps along the way.
Section 184 home loans are a great choice for those who need financing on tribal land, and they are a great economical tool that benefits both the mortgage industry and the tribes themselves. It was created to help everyone become a homeowner and when you work with an experienced lender, you can trust that you will be able to get this financing approved with ease. Just make sure that you’re applying for the right loan and that you live in an area where Section 184 financing is approved for use.
The LTV is 97.75 percent on loans over $50,000 and 98.75 percent on loans under $50,000.
Kevin Flynn
Contributing Author
Kevin is a contributing author to several financial publications online. He has worked in the industry as a writer for several years now, and often works with financial planners to create world-class content.
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