Friday, July 31, 2009

Help for America's Homeowners

Avoiding Foreclosure

Your first step is to call your lender. If you are having difficulty paying your mortgage on time, it's important to act now before things get so bad that you are facing foreclosure. Your biggest ally if you encounter difficulty paying your mortgage on time is often your lender. Don't wait – call them as soon as you know you are having problems.

Your lender – also known as a servicer – has a number of options to help you stay in or sell your home. These options include forebearance, repayment plans and loan modifications – as well as relief under the new Federal housing plan. You can find their contact information on your mortgage statement or coupon book.

Are You Facing Foreclosure?

There are resources available to help you protect your home.

Help for America's Homeowners

Please use the self-assessment tools provided on MakingHomeAffordable.gov to see if you are among the 7 to 9 million homeowners who may be able to benefit from Making Home Affordable.

REO Rental Initiative

The REO Rental Initiative is a temporary rental initiative under which qualified, former owner-occupants and tenants will be offered an option to lease properties in which they reside that have been acquired by Freddie Mac as a result of foreclosure.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Introducing SmartBuy, an exciting nationwide purchase program brought to you by HomeSteps (Freddie Mac).

HomeSteps® 2009 Nationwide SmartBuy Purchase Program

Promotion Dates:
Initial offers received July 17, 2009 - October 30, 2009, with escrow closed by December 31, 2009.

Homebuyers:

Introducing SmartBuy, an exciting nationwide purchase program brought to you by HomeSteps (Freddie Mac). As a potential homebuyer you may be wondering, what makes a HomeSteps home a SmartBuy?

Start with the 2-year, comprehensive HomeProtect® Home Warranty offered on HomeSteps homes. Add to that, for a limited time, our generous 3.5%* Buyer’s Closing Cost offer! And know that HomeSteps homes are priced at fair market value. All add up to a SmartBuy.

2-Year Warranty Included

As part of the SmartBuy purchase program, HomeSteps is offering:

  • Comprehensive two-year HomeProtect** Home Warranty
  • Up to a 3.5%* Buyer's Closing Cost offer (must be submitted upon initial offer)
  • HomeProtect** Appliance Discount (up to 30% savings on name brand appliances)

Now, no matter where you live in the United States, owning your own home may be more affordable than you think! If you currently rent or are considering homeownership, now is the time to make a SmartBuy. The HomeSteps SmartBuy purchase program may help you on your way to homeownership, with a little added peace of mind.

To qualify for this offer:

  1. Complete the SmartBuy Buyer’s Closing Cost registration form below to obtain your coupon.
  2. Ask your real estate agent to show you the available HomeSteps homes in your area.
  3. Ask your real estate agent to request the HomeProtect Home Warranty upon initial offer.
  4. Present your completed Buyer’s Closing Cost coupon upon initial offer on a HomeSteps home.
  5. Receive your SmartBuy Buyer’s Closing Cost offer, upon qualified closing.
  6. Receive your Home Protect** 2-year Home Warranty upon qualified closing.

Don’t have a real estate agent yet? Click here to search for an agent near you!

This offer is only valid until October 30, 2009, so start searching for your SmartBuy home today at HomeSteps!

HomeSteps will pay up to 3.5%* of your purchase price in closing costs for initial offers presented on HomeSteps homes between July 17, 2009 - October 30, 2009.

*As an example of your savings, if the purchase price of your home is $150,000, HomeSteps will pay up to $5,250 of your closing costs. This savings is money that you can use for moving expenses or new furnishings. (Please note HomeSteps will only pay up to 3.5%* of your purchase price in closing costs, not to exceed the total closing costs. For instance, if your purchase price is $125,000, and your closing costs are $4,250, HomeSteps will only pay $4,250, an amount equal to 3.4% of your purchase price.)

Now is a smart time to buy, and First-Time Homebuyers may have the opportunity to also take advantage of the $8,000 Tax Credit ***

*** Not all buyers will qualify for the tax credit. Please see a qualified tax professional for details.

SmartBuy Terms and Conditions:

In order to redeem a SmartBuy Buyer’s Closing Cost offer, homebuyers must place an initial offer on a HomeSteps home July 17, 2009 - October 30, 2009; sale must close escrow by December 31, 2009.

Home Protect®** 2-year Home Warranty is valid on HomeSteps (Freddie Mac-owned) homes that meet the following criteria:

  • Single family residences located in detached houses, 1-4 unit buildings, condominiums, cooperative associations or town homes
  • Owner-occupied, primary residence homes; homes purchased for rental or commercial purposes are not eligible; second homes or vacation homes are not eligible
  • Sales price is $25,000 or above
  • Home located in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia
  • In Georgia, warranty product is a 1 year warranty, with auto renewal for 2nd year
  • Ask your real estate agent to request the HomeProtect Home Warranty upon initial offer.

Closing Cost Offer Terms:

  • In order to redeem the SmartBuy Buyer’s Closing Cost coupon, buyer must present it upon initial offer on a HomeSteps home, or coupon will not be valid.
  • Coupon must be attached to initial contract when submitted for execution.
  • Only HomeSteps (Freddie Mac-owned) homes are eligible.
  • This offer is valid in the United States (including PR, VI and GU).
  • Home Protect** warranty and appliance discount are only valid on homes located in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
  • Initial offers submitted on or after July 17, 2009, and on or before October 30, 2009, are eligible.
  • All sales must close escrow on or before December 31, 2009, to be eligible.
  • *This closing cost offer is valid only on owner-occupied, financed homes; 1% closing cost offer on owner-occupied, cash sales.
  • Investor sales are not eligible for Buyer’s Closing Cost offer.
  • SmartBuy offers are not valid on Auction, Sealed Bid and Bulk Sale properties.
  • SmartBuy offers are not transferable and may not be combined with any other offer.
  • Seller reserves right to remove homes from “SmartBuy” promotion or end promotion at any time.
  • This offer is only valid where not prohibited by law.
SmartBuy

Friday, July 17, 2009

Thinking about owning a home?

This link has some excellent information for first time buyers.

http://www.freddiemac.com/creditsmart/pdf/YourCreditYourHomeYourFuture.pdf

I will be happy to answer any questions you may have :)

Felicia Hood

Realtor/Coldwell Banker

felicia@felicanicolehomes.com

803-235-6398