Rhode Islanders who are unable to purchase their first home because they can't afford the monthly payments are getting a break from the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corp. As a plus, the program offers additional benefits if home shoppers opt for energy-efficient houses. These first-time home buyers can get fixed-rate mortgages from 5.5% to 8.5%, and these mortgages can go toward new construction or existing houses. They can be applied to homes with a maximum purchase price of $114,000 for an existing onefamily house, and $130,000 for a new one-family house. If first-time home buyers have set their sights on an energy-efficient home, they can qualify for an increase in their debt-to income ratio, which allows the4m to take a larger mortgage. The rationale