Grant monies are back! The Federal Home Loan Bank replenished their funds for 2016. They are limited though and will go very fast because the grant is very popular and easy to obtain for buyers. Federal Home Loan Bank offers $5,000 to first time home buyers if they contribute a minimum of $1,250 into buying their home. And those monies can actually be gifted as well. Buyers can actually contribute less monies but their grant will be reduced because it is based on a 4:1 ratio. For example, if a buyer wanted to obtain $2,500 of grant monies then they would only have to contribute $625 or half of the $1,250. And the fees they pay upfront can be used to meet their contribution so the earnest money deposit and appraisal fee can be used towards their minimum contribution. Here are some other reasons to consider this grant over the other grant programs if a buyer's income qualifies under it. The grant is forgivable after 5 years entirely. If a buyer vacates … [Read more...]
New Home Buyers Due Diligence and Vigilance
New Home buyers due diligence and vigilance should be addressed by buyers or their agent prior to a successful closing especially when purchasing a newly constructed home. The following points of interest should be on your agents’ radar:Ask for a sample of the builder’s contract. Most builders have their own distinct forms and contracts contrary from company to company. Ask for clarification on the mortgage processing options and discounts. Determine whether you have the option to select your own mortgage company. And, what are the consequences if you decide to seek financing elsewhere. Ask for clarification of home warranty coverage. Home warranty contract are often issued by several third party companies, e.g. HMS and AHS. Obtain a list of costs. Determine what is standard versus upgrade. And, the cost of each upgrade. Inspection for defects. New homes are not flawless. The builder may offer a final walk through inspection with the staff. Request an inspection from a … [Read more...]
Helping Military Veterans and Active Duty Military Buy a Home
Helping Military Veterans and Active Duty Military buy a home has gotten a bit easier. Now, CDA offers the Maryland Home front program which provides military veterans and active duty military with a special interest rate discount of 0.25% for a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage. This program can also be used in combination with the $5,000 plus or more down payment and closing cost monies that are offered through the program. A refresher course on CDA loans...if you have not owned a home in the past three years in the State of Maryland - there is an EXCELLENT chance that you will be eligible for down payment monies and/or closing cost help of $5,000 at a MINIMUM. And even if you have owned a home in the past three years there are targeted areas where you can buy again without the 3 year wait. For example - the entire City of Baltimore is classified as targeted so anyone can get $5,000 CDA down payment monies and or closing cost help as long as they don't own any other … [Read more...]
Ask the Experts – Should we wait to buy a home?
Ask the Experts – Should we wait to buy a home? By all means - No, the time to buy a home is now! With below market interest rates and the below average market inventory today maybe the opportune time for buyers to make the move to a new home. The Federal Reserve has delayed increasing the interest rate for fear of disrupting the future growth of the economy. Mortgage lenders eager of offer a variety of mortgage loan programs to suit your family financial status. In this current market the greatest risk to potential home buyers is to wait to jump into the market to buy a home. Buyers should always be actively looking to buy a home at bargain or below market price. A mortgage lender will determine your buying power by retrieving your credit report, reviewing your credit score and debt ratios compared to gross income. Here are some facts to consider: Home prices in the DMV have risen 3 to 8%. Prices nationwide are projected to appreciate by more than 18 percent by … [Read more...]
Interest – Only Mortgages
Interest - Only mortgages received a lot of bad press during the aftermath of the housing bust, but they have stuck around as a viable mortgage alternative to home buyers who meet rigorous lending guidelines enacted by the federal government in recent years. Interest - Only mortgages can lower monthly mortgage payments by allowing borrowers to delay paying principle on their loan for several years. The down side of this mortgage program is the increase in mortgage payments when interest-only period comes to the end. At that time, borrowers begin to pay a combination of principal and interest until the loan is paid off. The shock of the increase in monthly mortgage payments as a result of higher interest rates on adjustable-rate interest only loan loans have caused many borrowers to default on their loans in the past. This shock in monthly payments is often accompanied with a higher interest rate which results in many borrowers falling behind in their monthly … [Read more...]
Home Buyers Assistance – State of Maryland
Home Buyers Assistance - State of Maryland have a great program to help home buyers obtain home ownership. And now, first time home buyers can get a tax credit too! If you have not owned a home in the past three years in the State of Maryland, there is an EXCELLENT chance you will be eligible for assistance of $5,000 at a MINIMUM. And, even if you have owned a home in the past three years, there are targeted areas where you can buy again without the 3 year wait. For example, the entire City of Baltimore is classified as targeted so any buyer can get $5,000 in assistance as long as they don't own any other property when they go to settlement. The Maryland Mortgage Program offers $5,000 in assistance or potentially more depending on the buyer's employer for down payment or closing cost assistance. So, if a buyer is purchasing a $200,000 home and they need 3.5% of the purchase price ($7,000) as a downpayment, this program will give them $5,000. If they then receive a full seller … [Read more...]
MY HOME PROGRAM SUSPENDED
MY HOME PROGRAM SUSPENDED AS OF JANUARY 28 Nearly 1,300 Prince George's Homebuyers Have Been Assisted My Home Program suspended due to the overwhelming demand for down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time home buyers, the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County (RDA) has suspended the "My HOME" home buyer assistance program effective January 28, 2015, due to funding depletion. Completed applications received by January 28, 2015 that are pending approval, will be funded on a "first completed" basis, as additional funds become available. Since 2009, the Redevelopment Authority has assisted nearly 1,300 homebuyers purchase a home in Prince George's County. In 2014 alone, the RDA provided 267 loans to first-time, moderate income homebuyers which generated over $2,133,300 in property, recordation and transfer taxes for the County. "My HOME provided hundreds of families the opportunity to begin building family wealth, as well as stabilizing county neighborhoods by … [Read more...]
First Time Home Buyers
First time home buyers in Prince George's County have easy access to money to buy a home through the MyHome Programs. And, these grant programs can also be used with 203k streamlines loans so it helps when the property is in need of repair. Here are some highlights of the program: MY HOME II * Loan amount up to $20,000 based on 120% area median income * Zip codes restricted to 20706, 20737, 20743, 20744, 20745, 20746, 20747, 20748, 20772, 20774, 20784 and 20785 * Loan is given at 0%, deferred payment. Buyer must pay back in full if the house is sold, transferred or ceases to be their primary residence, regardless of tenure in property. * No maximum sales price if buyer is between 81% to 120% of the area median income, limited to same restrictions as MyHome if median income is up to 80% * Debt to income ratios of 33%/43% And, this program can be combined with The Maryland Mortgage program as long as the loan does not need a 203k streamline for another … [Read more...]
First Time Home Buyers
First time home buyers in Prince George's County have easy access to money to buy a home through the MyHome Programs. And, these grant programs can also be used with 203k streamlines loans so it helps when the property is in need of repair. In addition there is a MY HOME II program available to first time buyers. Here are some highlights of the MYHOME program: MY HOME PROGRAM: * Loan amount up to $20,000 based on 80% area median income * Loan amount up to $60,000 based on 50% area median income * Entire county is eligible * Loan is given at 0%, deferred payment. Buyer must pay back in full if the house is sold, transferred or ceases to be their primary residence in 15 years. After 15 years, the loan is fully forgiven. * Maximum sales price of $295,000 for resales and $370,000 for new construction * Debt to income ratios of 33%/43% * Foreclosures require 1% discount from appraisal completed within 60 days … [Read more...]
Buying a Home
Buying a home gets easier! The latest market news - Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) replenished their funds for 2015. Funds are limited and will go very fast because the grant is very popular and easy to obtain for buyers. Federal Home Loan Bank is offering $5,000 to first time homebuyers if they contribute a minimum of $1,250 into buying their home. And, those monies can actually be gifted as well. Buyers can actually contribute less monies but their grant will be reduced because it is based on a 4:1 ratio. For example, if a buyer wanted to obtain $2,500 of grant monies then they would only have to contribute $625 or half of the $1,250. And, the fees they pay upfront can be used to meet their contribution so the earnest money deposit and appraisal fee can be used towards their minimum contribution. The reasons why this grant is better for buying a home over other programs if a buyer's income qualifies: • The grant is forgivable after 5 years entirely. If a buyer vacates the … [Read more...]