LOOKING FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN? A quick refresher on loan programs to help buyers purchase a home with NO Money down! The Chenoa product is designed to open up doors to buyers with limited money, lower credit scores and higher debt to income ratios. In some circumstances, people that are buying a new primary residence can still use the program and keep their existing home!Here are some quick highlights of the program.* Offers 3.50% second for the down payment- FHA financing only;* Credit scores as low as 620. Buyer will have to take an online home buying course prior to contract if their score is between 620 and 639;* Offered in MD, DC and VA;* 50 percent debt to income on all programs offered through the Chenoa product (most down payment programs have a 45% cap for the debt to income ratio);* No income limits for their repayable 2nd product (this is huge and completely different than any … [Read more...]
Ask the Experts – How to Price a Home to Sell?
Ask the Experts – How to price a home to sell is one of the most difficult challenges facing real estate brokers and their agents. Sellers attentively listen to their Realtors’ recommendation on the market value and recent sales in the neighborhood. And subsequently hike the sales price up with the belief that they can reduce the price later. The flip side of this scenario - the agent agrees with the higher price! Most real estate agents is excited to get a new listing and will gladly accept the high price listing with a mutual agreement that the sales price be reviewed after 30 - 45 days of marketing the property. With this contingency or agreement in place you can be assured the home will not become stale on the market which results in a lack of overall activity. Price the home from the start realistically comparing similar properties with the current market conditions and recent sales in your neighborhood! As a seller you do not want to not look like a clueless homeowner. … [Read more...]
Maryland Mortgage Program
The Maryland Mortgage Program announced two very important updates that will have even more positive impact for buyers. SMARTBUY 2.0 UPDATE Effective for Smart Buy 2.0 reservations dated on or after October 1, 2018, the following will be implemented.: * The dollar cap for the second lien is being raised to $40,000 from $30,000. Buyers are eligible to receive up to 15% of the sales price capped at a $40,000 loan to pay their student loan debt. All student debt from at least one buyer must be paid ENTIRELY in full prior to closing. * The second mortgage is a 5-year forgivable loan of up to 15% of the purchase price, not to exceed $40,000. * This second loan will be used to pay off the borrower’s outstanding student debt balance at the time of home purchase. If there are two Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) borrowers, only one borrower’s student loan balance must be paid off. The funds also may be used to pay off the other borrower’s student debt ONLY if the … [Read more...]
Montgomery County Program Announced
Montgomery County mortgage announced today by the Community Development Administration. The funds are on a first come - first serve basis. And they will go lightning fast! As a result of the very successful Phase I and II of the Montgomery Home Ownership Program. The Community Development Administration in collaboration with Montgomery County is pleased to announce Phase III is open to accept reservations. The Montgomery Home Ownership Program is designed to assist eligible home buyers who purchase a home in Montgomery County. Combining a Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) first mortgage loan with a generous down payment assistance (DPA) second loan. Highlights of the program are as follows: * Montgomery Home Ownership Program second lien will be a zero percent deferred down payment loan * Maximum down payment loan will be 40% of total household income up to a maximum of $25,000.00 * Down payment funds may be used for down payment and/or closing costs * … [Read more...]
Prince George’s County Purchase Assistance Program
Prince George's County Purchase Assistance Program (PGCPAP) strategy is to provide home purchase assistance to eligible, first-time home buyers to purchase residential properties in Prince George's County. Home purchase assistance includes down payment, mortgage principal reduction and/or closing costs. Prince George's County Purchase Assistance Program is funded by the Housing Investment Trust Fund. The Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County administered the program in partnership with participating lenders, realtors and housing counseling agencies that are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Loan Terms Maximum loan: $15,000.00 Purchase price limit: $462,000 (resale or new construction) Loan terms: 0% interest, deferred payment If the buyer is one of the following, they may be eligible for an additional $5,000 based on their need. This would bring the total loan amount to $20,000. … [Read more...]
State of Maryland Grant Assist Program
The State of Maryland Grant Assist Program is opening up to buyers that own homes now or have owned a home previously in the past 3 years. The program follows the Grant Assist guidelines exactly and the only requirement is that the sellers cannot own any real estate at closing. Yes, you are reading this right! Assistance for down payment and closing costs for people that own homes - NOW! The State of Maryland Grant Assist Program broadened the Grant Assist program two weeks ago. The program is available to FHA buyers with credit scores of 640 or more. Initially the program was rolled out to help with ONLY the closing costs. The state changed the program so that the 4% can be used towards down payment and/or closing costs. This is HUGE NEWS, if you have a minimum 640 credit score you could have your entire down payment covered by using this program instead of the flat $5,000 the State offers through the Community Development Act (CDA program). Example: A buyer wants … [Read more...]
Maryland Mortgage Prorgrams
Maryland Mortgage Program offers buyers down payment assistance throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. There is some confusion about this program though because there are different monies available underneath the umbrella of the Maryland Mortgage Program. One of our preferred lenders is providing details about the different programs so you can have a better understanding of what programs are available for buyers as it relates to the MMP program only. * SELP (Settlement Expense Loan Program) - This is the staple of the Maryland Mortgage Program and offers $5,000 to first time home buyers unless they are buying in a targeted area and then they can be second time home buyers. If a buyer is working for an employer on their House 4 Keys list they will be eligible for more down payment assistance. And, if they live within 10 miles of the house they are buying they are eligible for even more money through the Smart Keys program. All money received through this … [Read more...]
Montgomery County Home Ownership
Montgomery County Home Ownership Program II was announced by the State of Maryland. Funds will go fast - Buyers should ASAP! Here are the details of the Montgomery County Home ownership Program II: Down payment assistance will be limited to 40% of the total household income with a maximum total of $25,000 per home. These funds can be used toward down payment and/or closing costs. Example: A buyer has total household income of $85,000 so they would be eligible to receive $25,000 in assistance. Down payment assistance will be in the form of a loan at zero percent and will appear as a 2nd lien on title. Funds will have to be repaid back if the buyer ever sells their home. Available to all first time home buyers in Montgomery County. First time home buyers are defined as someone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years or more. First time home buyers requirements will be waived if property is in a targeted area - or if buyer is an honorably … [Read more...]
How to Get an Offer on Your Home
PRICE IT RIGHT – Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range. PREPARE FOR VISITORS – Get your house market ready at least two weeks before you begin showing it. BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT SHOWINGS – It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show at the spur of the moment. But the more amenable you can be about letting people see your home – the sooner you’ll find a buyer, ANTICIPATE THE OFFERS – Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable. DON’T REFUSE TO DROP THE PRICE – If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer you should be prepared to at least consider lowering your asking price. … [Read more...]
Is Staging Worth the Investment?
Is staging worth the Investment? Many home sellers are told they should stage their home before having it shown to potential buyers. But, professional staging can get expensive, and recent research found that it may not have a significant impact on sale price. So, is it worth the cost? Industry experts say yes – it probably is. The cost of hiring a stager varies considerably, based on the level of staging you want, the furniture you use, and where you live. Services range anywhere from $300 for a consultation to thousands of dollars for staging and monthly furniture rental. The goal of staging is: Allowing buyers to imagine themselves living in your home; Showing off your home’s best features, while drawing attention away from its flaws; Creating a mood; and Making the home look better in listing photos. All of the above gives buyers a more favorable impression of your home’s livability, which can help the home to sell faster. And, the faster it … [Read more...]
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