What If You Could Buy a Home With Zero Down – And Lower Bills?
The High Performance Home program bundles solar panels directly into your mortgage. No separate solar loan. No down payment. No cash to close. And your monthly payment is actually lower than a traditional mortgage.
The Problem You Already Know
You’ve been saving. You’ve been budgeting. But every time you run the numbers, the same wall appears: you need $15,000-$25,000 for down payment and closing costs. Or your credit score is 620 and every lender wants 640+. Or you qualify at $330K but every home you actually want starts at $380K.
Meanwhile, your landlord just raised the rent again. And your electric bill hit $250 last month.
What if there was a way to eliminate all three problems at once?
How the High Performance Home Program Works
The Lowtility program from Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. (PRMI) bundles solar panels, battery backup, and smart home upgrades directly into your mortgage – all in ONE loan. By reducing or eliminating your utility bill, the energy savings get factored into your debt-to-income ratio, unlocking significantly more purchasing power.
Down Payment
Up to 5% DPA covers it all
Cash to Close
Most buyers bring nothing to the table
Minimum FICO
Not 640. Not 620. Just 580.
States Available
No geographic restrictions
How Much More Home Can You Afford?
When your utility bill drops, your real monthly cost drops. Lenders factor that in. Here’s how much additional buying power you unlock based on the utility savings:
| Monthly Utility Bill Eliminated | Extra Buying Power Unlocked |
|---|---|
| $100/mo | +$16,679 |
| $200/mo | +$33,358 |
| $300/mo | +$50,037 |
| $400/mo | +$66,715 |
| $500/mo | +$83,395 |
No credit pull. No obligation. Takes 15 minutes.
Real Numbers: A 625 Credit Score Buyer
Let’s look at a real scenario. Same buyer. Same home. Two very different outcomes:
| Traditional Loan | With Solar + DPA | |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Score | 625 | 625 |
| Sales Price | $330,000 | $330,000 |
| Down Payment | $23,100 | $0 |
| Monthly Mortgage | $2,226 | $2,281 |
| Monthly Electric | $200 | $100 |
| Total Monthly Cost | $2,426 | $2,381 |
You save $45/month AND keep $23,100 in your pocket. Your home makes its own electricity. And because you own the panels, your home is worth more when you sell it.
Not All Down Payment Assistance Programs Are Created Equal
If you’ve looked into DPA programs before, you know the frustration: income caps, geographic restrictions, first-time buyer only, tiny coverage amounts. The Grid to Green DPA is different:
| Feature | Grid to Green DPA | Typical State/HFA DPA |
|---|---|---|
| Down Payment Coverage | Up to 5% | Varies (2-5%) |
| Minimum Credit Score | 580 | Often 620-660 |
| Income Limits | NONE | Usually 80-120% AMI cap |
| Geographic Restrictions | NONE (49 states) | Often county/city-specific |
| First-Time Buyer Only? | NO – repeat buyers welcome | Often yes |
| Cash to Close | $0 for most buyers | Varies |
| Solar Included? | YES – bundled into mortgage | No |
You OWN the Panels – And That Matters
This isn’t a lease. This isn’t a PPA. You own the solar panels outright. They’re part of your home, financed into the mortgage at mortgage rates – not 8-15% solar loan rates.
Why does ownership matter? Because of how Fannie Mae treats solar in home appraisals:
Fannie Mae Appraisal Guidelines for Solar
Owned panels (no liens): Appraiser MAY include value in the appraisal.
Financed as a fixture: MAY include if no repossession risk.
Financed as personal property: MAY NOT include (collateral for another debt).
Leased or PPA: MAY NOT include value.
Translation: When you own your panels through this program, they can add real, appraisable value to your home. When you lease or PPA, they can’t. This program puts you in the strongest ownership position possible.
📅 Coming November 2, 2026: UAD 3.6 Mandate
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s new Uniform Appraisal Dataset will require more detailed reporting of energy-efficient features in all residential appraisals. Owned solar panels will be even MORE visible and valuable. Full retirement of the old standard happens May 3, 2027.
Already a Homeowner? Refinance + Solar.
You don’t have to be buying a home to benefit. If you currently have a mortgage, you can refinance and roll solar into the new loan. This can lower your combined monthly obligation (mortgage + utilities) while adding value to your home. It’s especially powerful if you’re carrying high-interest debt alongside high utility bills.
Ready to See If You Qualify?
We’ll run the numbers for your specific situation. Free. No credit pull. No obligation.
⚡ Schedule My Free Analysis
📞 Call 443-864-3072
Or text us: (240) 392-6375
Solar Yoda LLC – Maryland Solar Consulting Since 2011
We’re not a big box solar company. We’re independent consultants who work for YOU – matching you with the best installer, the best financing, and the best outcome for your situation. No pressure. No hidden fees. Just honest solar advice.
Dennis Meizys | Solar Yoda LLC | Renewable Energy Consulting Since 2011
solaryoda.com | 443-864-3072
Loan programs referenced are offered by Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. (PRMI), NMLS 3094. PRMI is an Equal Housing Lender. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
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