Peter Boyle asked:




USDA Home Loan Program offers more credit flexibility in this concerned housing and lending market than traditional lenders do. It also provides low fixed monthly mortgage payments to help low-moderate income households.

For those that have a desire to live right outside city limits you should check this program out. You can get 100% financing and no down payment within eligible property areas. You will be surprised how many semi-rural properties fall within the programs eligibility.

A large percentage of our country ‘s greatest obstacle to home ownership is the lack in funds for down payment. USDA provides a solution not many know about. It overcomes down payment issues for an individual or family by loaning up to 100% of the appraised value of the property. This eliminates the down payment requirement.

The USDA Guaranteed Home Loan program helps low-to-moderate income individuals and families purchase homes. The approval process is fairly easy and fast, and the funds for the program are basically unlimited. Best of all, this loan requires no monthly mortgage insurance, only a 2% up front fee and that can be financed in the loan.

The program offers a 30 year fixed rate mortgage and no prepayment penalty. Under the Guaranteed Loan program, it guarantees loans made by private sector lenders. If the borrower defaults the USDA guarantee pays the lender. Borrowers work with the lender and make their monthly mortgage payments to the lender, not the USDA. Borrowers must have a two-year primary employment history and the dependable income must not exceed the moderate-income limit guidelines for the eligible property area.

This program offers more lenient qualifying guidelines than traditional mortgages. No minimum credit scores or previous housing history is required. Non-traditional credit is acceptable if no credit is available.

The loans can be used on new construction, existing homes, and homes in need of improvements. The rates are very low and repairs to a home may be financed 100%. The repair work on the home must be done by a licensed contractor.

There is also help for funds to close. All closing costs and prepaids can be financed by the seller, and 100% gifting is available to borrowers. There are no minimum cash contributions from the borrower.

If you have not owned a home in the past three years you can use the USDA home loan and the HR3221 bill to get into a home with no out of pocket money and take up to $7500 off your tax liability.

The tax credit must be paid back over a 15yr period at $500 a month interest free starting the following year. Speak to your local lender about the Housing Rescue Plan and HR3221.

What does this mean to renters? Based on today’s USDA housing loan rates and average rental costs, people can buy a $175,000 home for basically the same costs they pay in rent. For a personal rent versus own analysis contact a local mortgage consultant. If you have a property you have selected you can verify the USDA program eligibility using the following link or just click to gain further knowledge.

Frances

Kristin Abouelata – Home Loans asked:


"In order to promote the production of more affordable new housing units for very low, low and moderate income individuals and families in the state, to promote the preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing units for such persons, and to bring greater stability to the residential construction industry and related industries so as to assure a steady flow of production of new housing units…"

Many times, people have heard of THDA and are confused, thinking that THDA is a certain loan type. In fact, it’s lending agency. All THDA mortgages must be insured by private mortgage insurance, FHA, VA or RECD And as these loans are intended for low to moderate income families or individuals, there is a income limit and acquisition cost limit. Also, you must be a first time homebuyer unless your home is in a targeted area.

Why is THDA so fantastic for a first time homebuyer? Well, it comes down to money. THDA offers a below market rate and will allow up to 100% financing. Have you been reading the papers lately? It’s not so easy to find 100% financing these days. Unless, that is, you’re a first time homebuyer. It also has programs that allow for down payment assistance via grants from certain approved agencies (if your loan type requires a down payment). If you have satisfactory credit and the home you wish to buy meets THDA’s standards, then you’re in business.

All THDA mortgages are 30 year fixed rate loans, so you needn’t worry about finding yourself with an ARM loan (adjustable rate mortgage) and a new payment you can’t afford in 3 years. And THDA allows lenders to only charge customers a standard 1% origination and .25% discount fee. It also closely monitors fees associated with the loan. THDA really looks out for the best interest of the first time homebuyer. If you are eligible for a THDA loan, you can feel pretty certain that an unscrupulous lender can’t take advantage of you because THDA won’t let them. For so many people, buying a home is pretty intimidating. THDA takes away the uncertainties a buyer faces with its guidelines and lending practices.

If you do apply for a THDA loan, be prepared to document your credit worthiness. THDA loans require slightly more documentation than your average loans because of the uniqueness of its product. In order to offer more, THDA asks for more – ensuring you qualify for its pretty awesome program. Sounds like a fair trade, if you ask me.

What are the disadvantages of a THDA loan? Not many. They do have a federal recapture tax if you sell your home within the first nine years of owning it. But it sounds scarier than it really is. I’ve heard that only about 1% of THDA customers actually pay this tax. That’s because a bunch of really great things have to happen to you in order for it to actually apply to you. And if those great things happen to you, paying the recapture tax won’t matter much to you anyway. I’ve been in the business for 16 years and have only heard of one person actually having to pay one. He graduated from medical school and his income when through the roof. His property was sold above market value than for the area because it was adjacent to some property that a huge retailer wanted to purchase. Again, good things have to happen to pay the recapture tax. So, you shouldn’t be afraid of it.

More people need to hear about and take advantage of the THDA loan programs. It’s such a great product and really helps the community and the housing industry. If you’re a first time homebuyer or think you’re in a targeted area, make sure you ask about THDA to see if you would qualify for a loan. You won’t regret it!



ERNEST