(MONEY Magazine) – Holding back from buying that first house because the down payment would leave you too broke to renovate it? Next month, lenders in 11 major cities will begin combining first mortgages with home repair loans in a single 5% down payment package. The Community Home Improvement Loan, sponsored by the Federal National Mortgage Association (202-752-6527), will be offered in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, New York, Oakland, St. Louis, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. but should lend $100 million nationwide over the next two years. To qualify, your family must have an income that is no more than 15% above the local median (the 11-city range is $42,000 to $62,000).

BOX: COMMON INDEXES FOR ARMS

One-year Treasury constant maturity 7.76% 11th District cost of funds 8.08 National mortgage contract rate 9.70

Note: Averages are for September, August and September, respectively. Source: HSH Associates. For the latest information on mortgage rates in your area, plus a kit that will help you select the right loan, call toll-free for MONEY Magazine's Mortgage Match at 800-243-8474. Cost: $39.95.

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE CREDIT: Source: HSH Associates CAPTION: LEADING FIXED RATES IN THE 24 LARGEST METRO AREAS

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE CREDIT: Source: HSH Associates CAPTION: LEADING ARMS IN THE 24 LARGEST METRO AREAS