Several things help and hinder buyers in the proposed housing bill the House passed:

• The limit for conforming loans will be raised to $625,000 (right now it’s at $729k and change). These are loans that can be purchased by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and re-sold to investors.
• For FHA loans, the minimum down payment goes up to 3.5%
• Prohibition against seller funded down payment assistance. This would appear to eliminate programs like Nehemiah.