Can a family member pay my mortgage buydown?

A temporary rate buydown is essentially a pot of money that is set aside at closing to subsidize your interest rate in the first year or two. Lenders have specific rules about who can fund that subsidy. In most cases the funds need to come from an "interested party" such as the seller, builder or the lender, or from you as the borrower. Family members generally cannot write a check directly to the escrow company for a buydown because underwriting needs to document where the money came from and apply it against your contribution requirements.

If your relative wants to help, the cleanest way is to treat it as a gift of funds to you. They can transfer the money into your account before closing and sign a gift letter stating it is a true gift with no expectation of repayment. Once the money is yours it can be used toward closing costs, discount points or a permanent rate buydown (which has the same effect as a temporary buydown). FHA and VA allow 100% of closing costs and down payment to be gifted, while conventional loans typically require you to contribute at least a portion of your own funds if you are putting down less than 20%.

Because the rules vary by loan program and lender, talk with your loan officer before accepting funds. They will tell you what documentation is needed and whether a temporary buydown is even permissible on your loan. There may also be gift‑tax implications for your relative at that dollar amount, so they should consult a tax advisor as well.

Yes, a family member can contribute toward your mortgage buydown. Most lenders treat this as a financial gift for closing costs, which means a gift letter and proof of funds are required. Speak with your mortgage lender early so everything is documented correctly to ensure your home loan approval goes smoothly.

Short answer: yes. Tell your lender you're receiving gift money from a family member and you want to use it for a rate buydown. Your lender will tell you which documentation they need (gift letter or proof of donor ability/transfer). Your buydown might put you in a better position overall for different programs, so be sure to ask your lender to price out FHA vs Conventional.

Usually yes—with the right loan type and paperwork.

Here’s the plain-English version you can share:

Permanent buydown (discount points): A family member can give you gift funds that your lender applies to discount points at closing. This is allowed on most conventional (Fannie/Freddie) loans for primary homes and second homes (not investments), as long as it’s a true gift (no pay-back) and you provide a gift letter + transfer docs.
Fannie Mae Selling Guide

Temporary buydown (e.g., 2-1, 3-2-1): These are typically funded by the seller, builder, lender, or other third party under a written buydown agreement. A practical path if Grandma wants to help: she gifts you the funds, and your lender uses them at closing per their buydown program rules. (Exact allowance can vary by lender “overlays.”)
Fannie Mae Selling Guide

FHA/USDA: Family gifts can cover closing costs (including discount points) if properly documented. FHA also requires gifts to be bona fide (no repayment). USDA guidance likewise allows discount points and clarifies gift-fund documentation.
FHA.com
+2
Rural Development
+2

Seller credits vs. family gifts: Seller/builder/agent credits are capped by program rules (the “interested-party contribution” limits), but family gifts aren’t the same thing and follow the gift-fund rules instead.
Fannie Mae Selling Guide
+1

What to do next (5-minute game plan)

Tell the lender you want to use gift funds for a rate buydown and ask which documentation they need (gift letter template, proof of donor ability/transfer).
Fannie Mae Selling Guide

Ask whether their temporary buydown program can be funded via your gifted funds at closing (some lenders allow it, some only permit seller/lender funding).
Fannie Mae Selling Guide

If you’re comparing FHA/USDA/conventional, have them price both points (permanent buydown) and a temporary buydown so you can see which saves more based on how long you’ll keep the loan. (Rules permit both with the right structure.)
Fannie Mae Selling Guide
+1

If you want, I’ll draft a quick email you can send to your lender that asks exactly the right questions and checks all the boxes—zero jargon, maximum savings.

Yes, in many cases family can contribute toward a temporary mortgage buydown, but it has to be structured the way your lender requires. Usually the funds are treated as a gift, which means they’ll need a gift letter and proof of the transfer. Because loan programs each have different rules, your lender is the one who decides exactly how the money can be applied. Be sure to tell them upfront that the funds are for a buydown so they can guide you through the correct paperwork.

Yes — a family member can contribute toward a temporary mortgage buydown, but it has to be handled correctly. Lenders treat it as a gift of funds, just like gift money for a down payment or closing costs. That means:

The money must come from an eligible donor (a family member qualifies).

Your lender will likely require a gift letter from the donor stating that it’s a gift, not a loan to be repaid.

The funds need to be transferred and documented in a way that satisfies underwriting.

The buydown itself is typically paid at closing, so the gift money goes into that pool of funds rather than being paid directly to the bank outside of closing.

Different loan programs (conventional, FHA, VA, etc.) have slightly different rules, so it’s important to tell your lender upfront. They’ll guide you on the exact paperwork and timing to keep it compliant.

Bottom line: it’s doable, and plenty of buyers use family help for things like this — but it needs to run through the lender’s process so it doesn’t raise any red flags during underwriting.

I love this question because more first-time homebuyers in the West Valley (Peoria, Goodyear, Surprise, Buckeye, etc.) are asking about mortgage buydowns right now. The short answer: yes!! Family can usually help cover a temporary mortgage buydown, but it has to be set up the right way. Just like with gift funds for a down payment, the lender needs it documented. The money can’t just be handed over, it has to be contributed through escrow and tied to the loan process so it’s a clean, traceable paper trail. Some lenders may have extra forms or require it to be called a “seller/lender concession,” so always loop your lender in before your family wires a dime. Tip: If your family is putting up that kind of money ($17K), ask your lender to run side-by-side scenarios (2-1 buydown vs. permanent rate buy-down). Sometimes the math works out better one way or the other, and this way you get the most out of their generosity.