For first-time and even experienced homebuyers, this is a time of great opportunity. Homes may not be this affordable in a few years (if not a few months), and the same can be said for mortgages. But sometimes you need to scrape together a down payment from a variety of sources in order to jump on a deal that is just right for you.

Where do you find that cash? You probably have choices. Here are some of them:

• Family – No one really wants to go to a relative for money, but that’s the way it’s been done for centuries. There are two problems, however. One is there may not be a parent, grandparent, sibling, cousin, aunt or uncle who has the cash to spare right now. The other is the pressure it places on your relationships. Can you pay them back on a schedule that fits their needs?

• Car title – These aren’t even legal in many places, for good reason. If you lose your car in a title loan, you might have a hard time getting to your job. But if your car is paid for and you hold that title, you can use it for collateral.

• Cut back expenses – Sounds good in theory, and it works just fine when you have time on your side. But a purchase as important as a house or condo will not wait.

• payday loan – This is a version of “cut back expenses,” except you can get your money now (an advance on your next paycheck) and do the cutting back later. It solves the timing issue.

You can choose from any of the above, and actually there is very little to say you couldn’t get three or four of these loan types at one time. But with payday loans , it effectively consolidates the task into a single lender, which at least cuts down the paperwork.