You decide on purchasing a condo. There are all these programs out there with little or no down payment. What is the best program? The first question you need to ask your Realtor or Mortgage person is what programs are eligible for the condo complex. What you say; you mean the collateral has to qualify as well? Get the condo certification done early even before the appraisal. This will give you a great indication on what financing programs are available for a particular condo complex. FHA, Conventional, VA etc all have guidelines in terms how condos qualify. So many times I see buyers spend money on appraisals only to find out a particular program does not work. Then they have to pay additional appraisal cost. All because somebody does not do their homework. Listen as a buyer do not get pressured into a 30 day escrow. Demand the seller to pay upfront for the condo cert. This will save you time, money , and pulling what is left of your hair out.