How Arcasa’s FHA Down Payment Assistance Works w/ Cole Bestgen

A solar system that might cost $20,000 can balloon to $60,000 after financing fees and sales commissions, a history that left mortgage host Dustin Owen wary of solar. In this episode, he presses Cole Bestgen of Arcasa on how the company’s FHA-based program aims to do it differently: offer 3.5%–5% down payment assistance while adding solar costs to the first mortgage, not a separate lien. They discuss potential utility-bill savings, why those savings vary by location and household, and how loan officers may combine the assistance with seller concessions to lower a buyer’s upfront costs and monthly payment. The conversation also explores how the program is structured, who may qualify, and what buyers and loan officers should understand before presenting solar as part of a home purchase. Bestgen explains how financing the system through the first mortgage can differ from taking out a separate solar loan, while Owen probes the tradeoffs: a larger mortgage balance, the long-term cost of financing, and whether projected energy savings are realistic for a particular home. They consider why a system’s value depends on more than the panels themselves, including local electricity rates, sun exposure, household energy use, and the details of the installation. Owen and Bestgen also discuss the role of down payment assistance and seller concessions in making the numbers work at closing. Used together, those options may help reduce a buyer’s cash-to-close and potentially ease the impact of adding solar costs to the mortgage, though the final payment and savings will depend on the loan terms and the property. For mortgage professionals, the episode offers a closer look at how to explain the program clearly, compare the full costs with other financing options, and help buyers evaluate whether solar makes sense for their budget and location. Loan officer looking for a new place to call home? 👉🏼 https://specials.lower.com/tlop Roam: https://ro.am/influencer/marks-office TLOP's Originator Coaching: 👉🏼 https://tloponline.com/mlo-coaching-programs/

How Arcasa’s FHA Down Payment Assistance Works w/ Cole Bestgen | Ep.678