For potential home buyers, 2015 is looking to be an exceptional year. Mortgage rates remain at historically low levels, mortgages are getting easier to qualify for and U.S. new home construction is in high demand. There are now many mortgage programs where buyers can purchase homes with less than 20 percent down, at interest rates well under 4 percent.

The National Association of Home Builders surveys its members in its monthly Housing Market Index, which shows home builder confidence. Any number over 50 means the housing market is in good shape, and February’s score came in at 55, meaning high confidence among home builders.

Home builders have also been smarter about matching demand when producing new homes. Last decade new homes were over-produced, which hurt home values. Now home builders are no longer exceeding demand, and have successfully been able to maintain home sale prices.

Despite home prices slowly rising, home buyers can still get into a new home affordably by utilizing FHA or VA mortgage programs. These programs allow for low or no down payment, and have lower interest rates than typical 30 year conventional mortgages.

For those looking to see if they qualify for a low down payment mortgage, you can get help online and check rates on mortgage loans at loanDepot. With more flexibility in credit, income and down payment requirements, FHA loans have been a popular option among many first time home buyers.