I don't understand what a measely $8000 matters in buying a house? And that's even IF you qualify for the entire $8000, which do you even know 100% for sure before you've already bought a place? What if you don't qualify after all, or you only get $4000?
A condo isn't really a good 'investment', as even in good economic times of growth, condo values, at least around here don't really change much, unlike houses. It's more of a place to live that's slightly different than renting, which you hope to break even on in the future.
Also, if you are looking into buying a place, you should ideally have at least 10% to put down plus some cash in the bank for what if's, and other costs that add up, so really think about that, because I had to put a new furnace and AC in my house in the first year and it was about $5000, let alone all the other things I have done, and I'm only going on year two now...
Good luck though.