Category Archives: Home Loans

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Up To $20,000 Available Grant Money For Atlantic City NJ Home Buyers

Home buyers in Atlantic City may be eligible for up to $20,000 for down payment and closing costs.

Grant money is now available in Atlantic City for first time home buyers.  Grants are available from $10,000-$20,000.  It’s a great time to buy a home in Atlantic County.  And if you’re looking outside Atlantic City the Atlantic County Grant is also available now with up to $10,000 available.  So here are some more details on the Atlantic City Grant program.


ELIGIBLE PARTICPANTS:

  • Persons who have resided in the City of AC for the last 12 months.
  • Persons who have not owned a home for the past 3 years.
  • Persons with an acceptable credit history and ability to obtain an approved mortgage.
  • Persons with incomes below 80% of the median family income. Please contact me for HUD income limits.

ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES

  • Single family properties, condominiums in the city of Atlantic City. Exclude manufactured homes.
  • Sale price cannot exceed $250,000.
  • Property must meet all requirements for an approved mortgage.
  • Property acquired must meet all state and local housing quality standards and code requirements. Any findings are to be corrected, reinspected and certified prior to settlement.

PROGRAM FINANCING

  • The program will provide a maximum amount of $10,000 – $20,000 to eligible applicants to assist with down payment and closing costs, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the HOME Investment Partnership program.

If you think you would qualify for this program or know someone who could benefit from this.  Please contact us immediately.  Funds are available on a first come first serve basis and typically go quickly.

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Low Income Home Loan Options

Low Income Home Loan Options

Owning a home is still the quintessential American Dream. Yet for many it can seem unattainable, especially if you have a low income. But don’t fret, a lower income doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t own a home, you just need to find the right loan.

Low Income Home Loan Options

The first thing to determine is what type of loan you may qualify for within your income bracket. The Federal Housing Administration, or FHA is the place to begin. Run by the US HUD department, the FHA is in the business of helping people buy homes, especially those with lower incomes, or less-than-perfect credit. The FHA isn’t a lender, but they help insure the funding risk for a private lender as much as they help protect the home buyer in ways beyond what conventional loans are able to do.

Because loans backed by the FHA also provide low interest rate options and don’t require as much of a down payment, more families with lower incomes are able to qualify and afford a home loan, provided you qualify also as a first-time home buyer.

For definition purposes, a first-time home buyer is someone who hasn’t owned property for a three-year period or has met other criteria such as being a newly single parent who previously owned a home with their former spouse. Various situations apply to qualify as a first-time home buyer.

If you meet the parameters of being a first-time home buyer and your income is low enough to qualify, an FHA backed loan could be ideal for you.  There are also state programs available in connection with the FHA/HUD Housing options, such as available through New Jersey. These are worth looking into you may be surprised by what you qualify for.

There are other programs which offer loans for qualified low income home buyers such through the USDA Direct Loan program, and the VA home loan offerings for military service men and women and their families. Another option worth considering if you’re up for a bit of home ownership education is the Fannie Mae HomeReady Mortgage.

These loans are designed for lower income families who just need that extra boost to cross the threshold into home ownership. There’s a requirement to take a Homeowner Education course, which you can do online, to qualify. Getting educated to understand the course of homeownership and all the financial responsibilities that come with it is something that’s good for everyone. With just a bit of extra wok you could qualify for a great loan despite your lower income.

Within the state, New Jersey offers a First-Time Home Buyer Program with down payment assistance and loan options available to qualifying buyers. Also, worth looking into is the $10,000 grant provided through the NJ Home Seeker Program which Atlantic County is a participating county.

When it’s time to buy a home, work with a Realtor® whose expertise can help you find solutions whatever your real estate needs may be. Get the conversation started with Matt Haviland, give him a call today at 609-338-3773 or send him an e-mail.  The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty are ready to share their expertise and care for all your real estate needs.

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How to Get a VA Home Loan

How to Get VA Home Loan

How to Get a VA Home Loan

One of the best benefits for military service men and women and their spouses, is the Federal VA home loan option. Owning a home is still the great American dream, and for our personnel who have served in any military branch, VA home loans can help make this dream a reality. What’s more, is that these loans can also be used by surviving spouses, giving the families of our fallen heroes a legacy in housing security.

While these home loans are funded through private lending companies, as an active duty soldier, reservist or veteran, the required parameters to get a loan are different compared to civilians. With a VA home loan down payments and private mortgage insurance aren’t required. This is a big boon to getting over one of the biggest expenses towards homeownership with no need to save thousands of dollars before you buy a house.

There are various types of VA loans available depending on your personal situation as a veteran. For example, disabled vets can apply for an Adapted Housing Grant which will help cover the costs of adapting an existing house or having one constructed to accommodate housing features as needed. Other benefits include different refinancing options to lower the interest rate on your current VA loan and property tax reduction and exemptions for applicable veterans, such as is offered through the New Jersey Dept. Military & Veteran Affairs.

How to Get VA Home LoanSo, how do you get a VA loan? The first place to begin is at the Federal VA website. Here, you can find the resources you need to check for eligibility requirements and what options may be applicable for you.  Once you determine which type of VA loan you want, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) form needs to be completed. You can access this form through the VA eBenefits site, or ask your chosen lender for the form. With your COE in hand you can work with your lender to complete the VA loan application process and get approved for funding.

With all the benefits available through a VA home loan, going through this bit of paperwork is worth the effort in achieving your home dreams. You can also review your options with your Realtor®. The agents at The Haviland Group and Keller Williams Realty understand all the options available for veterans and their families; we’re here to help every step of the way. Get the conversation started with Matt Haviland, give him a call today at 609-338-3773 or send him an e-mail.