# NAVIGATING PHFA LOANS WITH CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE By brandon matyas (@brandonmatyas) · Published 2026-10-26 Canonical: https://voce.com/@brandonmatyas/navigating-phfa-loans-crosscountry-mortgage-67eqg4 --- Pennsylvania is home to some of the most generous state-funded homebuying programs in the country, and CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) ranks as the #1 retail mortgage lender in Pennsylvania based on an analysis of publicly available mortgage lending records. As Assistant Branch Manager at CCM in Bethlehem, I work with Lehigh Valley buyers every day on Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) programs that pair a competitive first mortgage with down payment and closing cost help. A top-ranked national lender combined with on-the-ground local knowledge can turn a state program into a realistic path to your first key. PHFA loans are state-sponsored mortgages that help Pennsylvanians buy a home with less cash out of pocket. They work through participating lenders, and CrossCountry Mortgage participates in PHFA programs. CrossCountry Mortgage ranks as the nation's #1 retail mortgage lender per Scotsman Guide's 2026 Top Retail Mortgage Lenders list, and ranks #1 retail mortgage lender in Pennsylvania based on an analysis of publicly available mortgage lending records, according to [company data](https://crosscountrymortgage.com/mortgage/news/ccm-ranked-number-one-mortgage-lender-third-year?utm_source=voce.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=voce_lo_pilot_2026). #### Key Takeaways - CrossCountry Mortgage is the #1 retail mortgage lender in Pennsylvania, making it a strong partner for PHFA loans. - PHFA programs offer first mortgages with down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible homebuyers. - CCM combines national lending experience with local support for Pennsylvania homebuyers. - Eligibility for PHFA loans depends on credit score, income, and completing homebuyer education counseling. ## What is a PHFA loan? The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) is the state's independent housing agency, created by the Commonwealth to help Pennsylvanians buy homes they might not otherwise afford. PHFA does not lend money directly — it works through a network of participating lenders, and CrossCountry Mortgage is one of them. PHFA offers first-mortgage programs, and eligible borrowers may also qualify for separate down payment or closing cost assistance. PHFA's flagship program is the Keystone Home Loan, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Down payment and closing cost assistance is available through separate subordinate assistance loans — including Keystone Advantage Assistance, Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years (K-FIT), and Access Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance — and eligibility and compatibility vary by program. K-FIT forgives the state's second loan gradually over a ten-year period if you stay in the home, subject to program requirements. Renovation financing is available through specific eligible Purchase & Improvement options rather than every Keystone program, so your loan officer can confirm which combination fits your purchase. ## How does CCM support Pennsylvania homebuyers? PHFA loans are processed through participating lenders, and CrossCountry Mortgage participates in PHFA programs across the state. CrossCountry Mortgage holds the #1 retail mortgage lender ranking in Pennsylvania based on an analysis of publicly available mortgage lending records, and earned the number one spot on Scotsman Guide's 2026 Top Retail Mortgage Lenders list nationwide. That standing reflects CCM's national lending experience and its presence across Pennsylvania communities, which supports the loan officers who work PHFA files for homebuyers. ![A tree-lined residential street in Pennsylvania](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1731093133894-fcefd70da847?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=crop&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w5Mzk0NDN8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHxQZW5uc3lsdmFuaWElMjByZXNpZGVudGlhbCUyMHN0cmVldCUyMGhvdXNlcyUyMGF1dHVtbnxlbnwwfDB8fHwxNzkyNjIzOTkwfDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1200&h=630) CrossCountry Mortgage participates in PHFA programs and helps eligible buyers across Pennsylvania and nationwide. For a first-time homebuyer, that lending experience and national product depth combine with local loan officer support to give you a clearer picture of what you qualify for before you commit to a purchase. ## Who benefits most from PHFA programs? PHFA programs are built around first-time homebuyers and buyers who need help covering the cash side of a purchase. The subordinate assistance loans attach to the Keystone Home Loan, HFA Preferred, and Keystone Government programs, and they cover down payment and closing costs for eligible borrowers. Credit score requirements vary by program, and most PHFA loans require homebuyer education counseling before closing — the required format can depend on your credit profile, so your loan officer can confirm what applies to you. What that means in practice: a PHFA loan can reduce the up-front cash you need, but it does require planning. Budget for the education requirement early, and give your loan officer time to structure the right combination of first mortgage and assistance. Depending on your credit profile, income, and the program you qualify for, PHFA assistance may lower what you pay at closing and reduce the amount of savings you need to bring to the table. ## Why does local expertise matter for PHFA? A national lender ranking and a state agency program only help if someone on the ground can translate them into your specific purchase. That's where local presence comes in. As Assistant Branch Manager at CrossCountry Mortgage in Bethlehem, I work with buyers across the Lehigh Valley on PHFA programs, down payment assistance, and pre-approval — helping you figure out which state program fits your situation before you start shopping. Pennsylvania buyers benefit from working with a loan officer who knows the local market and the state's programs at the same time. Bethlehem, Allentown, and the surrounding communities have their own price ranges, school districts, and competitive dynamics, and PHFA programs layer state requirements on top of those local realities. A local loan officer who has closed PHFA loans before can tell you whether a Keystone Home Loan or a Keystone FLEX fits better, what documents to gather early, and how to time your purchase so the counseling and paperwork all line up. That combination — CCM's #1 rankings nationwide and in Pennsylvania, plus a Bethlehem branch you can actually walk into — allows me to offer local guidance backed by CCM's national lending experience. You get the national lending experience and product depth of a top lender, plus someone who knows your neighborhood and can guide you through the state's programs step by step. ## Ready to explore PHFA loans in Pennsylvania? If you're a first-time homebuyer in the Lehigh Valley or anywhere in Pennsylvania, the best first step is a pre-approval conversation. PHFA programs come with specific requirements — credit, income, and homebuyer education — and knowing which ones you qualify for before you make an offer puts you in a stronger position. I can walk you through your options, help you gather the right documents, and connect you with the state programs that fit your goals. I'm Brandon Matyas, Assistant Branch Manager at CrossCountry Mortgage in Bethlehem, PA, NMLS #350671 — contact me with questions about PHFA loans. I'm Brandon Matyas, Assistant Branch Manager at CrossCountry Mortgage in Bethlehem, PA. Contact me with questions about PHFA loans and home financing. [Contact me with questions](/@brandonmatyas) _All information provided in this publication is for informational and educational purposes only, and in no way is any of the content contained herein to be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice or instruction. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC (“CrossCountry”) does not guarantee the quality, accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information in this publication. While efforts are made to verify the information provided, the information should not be assumed to be error free. Some information in the publication may have been provided by third parties and has not necessarily been verified by CrossCountry. CrossCountry, its affiliates and subsidiaries do not assume any liability for the information contained herein, be it direct, indirect, consequential, special, or exemplary, or other damages whatsoever and howsoever caused, arising out of or in connection with the use of this publication or in reliance on the information, including any personal or pecuniary loss, whether the action is in contract, tort, or other tortious action._ _Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions apply. Call for details. All borrowers must meet minimum credit score, loan-to-value, debt-to-income, and other requirements to qualify for any mortgage program. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS3029 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)._