I was introduced to a home owner last week by a past client of mine that I successfully helped avoid foreclosure. I called the home owner and found out that he was in foreclosure and had missed several years of payments. I gave him some information about his options because he was unsure of what to do.

Time Is Running Out For Homeowners In Foreclosure.

A week later I called to follow up and he told me that he had already received notice that the sheriff sale date was posted. I immediately arranged a complementary legal session for him with our attorney. The attorney advised that short sale was most likely not an option and perhaps bankruptcy would be the only think that could delay the foreclosure.

There are over 12 options to stop foreclosure however most home owners are only aware of one or two options.  If you or someone you know is facing foreclosure please contact me now at 609-338-3773. I will give them a copy of my free report 12 Options To Stop Foreclosure In Its Tracks and also an article entitled How To Avoid Getting Conned By Foreclosure Scams.

For homeowners who don’t wish to keep their home I can also do a complementary phone consultation to determine if a Short Sale is an option for them.

There are options to avoid and stop foreclosure. However if homeowners wait too long to seek help you may have little or no options left. Please call me now if you or someone you know needs help at 609-338-3773. Best wishes, Matthew Haviland

The Atlantic County Improvement Authority has grant money available for first time home buyers right now.

Grants of up to $15,000 can be used for down payment and closing costs.

Here is what you need to qualify:

HOUSEHOLDS

1. Who have resided in Atlantic County, NJ for the last 12 months or are employed in Atlantic County.

2. Who have not owned a home for the last  three years.

3. With acceptable credit history and the ability to obtain an approved mortgage.

4. With incomes below 80% of Median income:

If you feel you may qualify for this grant program please call Matthew Haviland at 609-338-3773 for more details.

Our office has been contacted with many requests for temporary rental housing.  As home owners return to their homes this demand will most likely increase over the next few weeks.

If you own a home that is currently vacant and are willing to help the community during this difficult time by renting your property, please contact me at 609-338-3773.

Matthew Haviland

Our sympathy and thoughts and prayers to all those who have lost homes and property during this devastating storm.

If you need help after the storm we have compiled a list of relief agencies and resources for Atlantic County, NJ.

First of all if you need assistance or shelter now, please call your local office of emergency management:

Available shelters can also be found here:  http://app.redcross.org/nss-app/

As of now there are open Red Cross shelters at Pleasanvville High School and Buena Regional High School.

Here is a great site for Recovering after a Disaster or Emergency http://www.redcross.org/find-help/disaster-recovery

Help From FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is also available.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of New Jersey and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy beginning on October 26, 2012, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for assistance now by registering online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

Stay safe and best wishes on a quick recovery,

Matthew Haviland, The Haviland Group At Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore.  Your Trusted Real Estate Experts For Life 609-338-3773.  609-484-9890 ext. 132.

To keep you informed on the changes with the USDA, 100% financing program, I have an update:

Congress has permitted the USDA to use 2000 Census data.  There will be no changes in current eligible areas until legislation is passed. At very least, the USDA will have a 6 months continuance from their fiscal year starting 10/2012

So if you are looking for a great 30 year fixed rate, zero down payment loan now is the time to move forward and buy while this financing is in place.

Also, The Atlantic County Improvement Authority grant program for first time home buyers typically will release funds around October.  Last year grants were available for up to $15,000.

Here is a link to NJ Eligible Areas and always check this link for property and income eligibility:http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do

As your trusted real estate expert for life, I make sure to study and be aware of all of the best financing programs and grant programs available.  If you would like more information please call me at 609-338-3773.

Attention Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township NJ Home Buyers and Sellers Important Financing Changes Coming By October 1st.

USDA Rural Housing home loans allow home buyers to purchase homes in Galloway, Egg Harbor Township, and Hamilton Township, NJ with zero down payment.  These home loans have been extremely popular among home buyers in these areas and are especially used by first time home buyers.  USDA home loans are 30 year, fixed rate home loans available with no down payment and very low interest rates.

Eligibility for this financing is based on population within a city.  Based on the 2010 census, population has increased in many US cities and also for several Atlantic County, NJ municipalities.

Here is a link to the list of ineligible cities:

USDA_IneligibleCities_081012

Included on the list are Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township and Hamilton Township.  As of Oct 1st, 2012 these cities may no longer be eligible for USDA financing.

For Home Buyers:

If you are a home buyer looking to purchase a home in Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township and Hamilton Township with a USDA zero down payment loan you should be under contract by the end of September 2012 to make sure you qualify for the loan.  (If you are not able to use the USDA loan you may still obtain FHA financing with a 3.5% down payment.)

For Home Sellers:

If you are selling your home in Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township and Hamilton Township it would be wise to do whatever you can to get a buyer for your home by the end of September while this financing option is still in place.  This is especially important if your home is in a price range under $200,000.  If your home is not yet listed for sale call me to get your home on the market asap.

Please feel free to share this with anyone you know who is thinking of buying or selling a home in Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township and Hamilton Township.

Best wishes,

Matt

609-484-9890 ext. 132 Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore

We have two rentals available right now in Mays Landing and Galloway.

$2,500/mo Incredible executive home in Galloway for rent (Daphne Dr, Galloway, NJ)

2609 Boulder Court, Mays Landing, NJ.

Let us know what you think of the new logo.

We spoke to two septic companies to find out more about these important changes that will affect septic inspections or selling a home with a cesspool or system in need of repairs:

Effective immediately, when a septic company receives an order for inspection, they must now fax forms to the Atlantic County office in regards to the inspection order. New regulations require the septic companies to provide in depth information in order for the county to research and approve the inspection therefore the septic companies must have this information at time of order.  By law, the county office has 7 days to research filed documents on the property and return paperwork to the septic company approving the inspection.
Additionally the septic companies are now required to send reports of the inspection results (regardless if passed or failed) to the county so the county will know about the system. The county and engineers will now be more involved in any replacement systems. In addition, it is law that properties with cesspools can no
longer go to settlement. Any property with a cesspool must comply with county procedures in replacing (not repairing) the system PRIOR TO CLOSING.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO HOME SELLERS AND BUYERS FOR A HOUSE WITH SEPTIC SYSTEM:

1) Inspections may no longer be immediately scheduled.  This is now a service that will have to be ordered as soon as possible to ensure it is completed in time due to the now extended process. Some companies may still schedule right away, but
documentation will still need to be completed, sent to and returned from county prior to results being sent to parties. Other companies will not schedule inspection until they have submitted and received the returned documents from the county.

2) Extra caution may be needed with short sales. For buyers, some short sale addendums will state ALL inspections have to be done within 10 days from the conclusion of attorney review. It may not be possible to get the septic inspections done in this time unless acted upon immediately, all information is provided to the septic company, and there will be no delays in obtaining access to the property thus delaying the scheduling of inspection. If a buyer is purchasing a short sale property and would be responsible for a new system, this will have to be done PRIOR to closing. If the seller/3rd party lien holder is to pay, this is something you may want to disclose to them immediately.

3) The prices of the inspections have more than doubled. While some companies may have been lenient on payment at closing, they may now require payment at time of order, not inspection. The county may also have a say in the repairs, if needed, thus incurring additional costs.

4) If you are a seller with a septic system, you may want to get items required for inspection addressed so when a buyer‘s side or a septic company calls, you have the information already. If you are the buyer, you may want to get this
information from seller’s side at time of offer or contract to avoid any delays in ordering inspection.  (We can provide a list of items needed for inspection.)

5) If you are selling a property, or buyers placing an offer on a property, with a cesspool, this system is going to have to be replaced even if it is in working order according to new regulations. Per one of the septic companies we spoke to, new systems can range from S15,000.00 to $25,000.00. You may want to contact a
septic company to discuss in advance in case there are more changes.

We hope this information will be helpful to you and of course we are here to make sure your transaction is as smooth as possible.

Best wishes,

Matthew Haviland

Dene Ponzetti
Settlement Coordinator

The Haviland Group