Curious about whether you fit the criteria of a first-time home buyer? According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), you fall into this category if any of the following situations apply to you:

1. You haven’t owned a primary residence for a continuous period of three years. If you’ve owned a home in the past but your spouse hasn’t, you’re still eligible to purchase a home together as first-time home buyers.
2. If you’re a single parent who has solely owned a home with a former spouse during your marriage, you’re considered a first-time buyer.
3. A displaced homemaker who has exclusively co-owned a home with a spouse also qualifies as a first-time home buyer.
4. Individuals who have previously owned homes that weren’t permanently affixed to a foundation as per relevant regulations are also classified as first-time buyers.
5. If your prior property didn’t meet the required state, local, or model building codes, and rectifying it would cost more than constructing a new permanent structure, you’re given the status of a first-time buyer.

This inclusive interpretation simplifies the process of becoming a first-time home buyer, granting more individuals the chance to benefit from the advantages associated with purchasing their first home.”