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It is just flat-out WRONG to think that you need a lot of money to buy a home today.
The truth is, there are many government & private programs to assist buyers with money for down payment and closing costs. Some are grants that you never pay back. Some are home-equity loans with no interest and no payments and paid back only when you transfer ownership of the home. And some are fully forgiven after a set period of time. There are also a number of creative financing options that will minimize or eliminate the amount of money needed from you to purchase a home. We will cover some of these examples here.
Sometimes it makes sense to use some of these programs even if you have the money for closings costs. For most people, even if they can pay for their own closing costs, they have little left over for furniture, repairs or decorations. And then what happens? They go out and get a loan or use high interest rate credit cards to buy those items. The better way may be to use some of theses programs to pay for the closing costs and use your cash to pay for the home improvements. Please take a look at the information below to see which program may be helpful in your search for a new home.
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There are many resources available throughout Philadelphia, Chester COunty, Delaware County and Montgomery COunty in Pennsylvania to help people achieve the american dream of homeownership. If you want to work with a realtor who will guide you through the process contact Michelle Leonard you can reach her at www.MichelleLeonard.com
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| Delaware County Grant Programs |
Delaware County - Media Fellowship House Click Here to find out income limits to qualify
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HomeStrengthsm Funds: Funds equal to 4% of the sales price are provided to pay for your closing costs & pre-paid items. This 4% assistance is a silent second mortgage with no interest, no payments and can be completely forgiven if you stay in the home for 10 years and keep your 1st mortgage loan in good standing. These funds are only given in connection with the HomeStrengthsm Zero Down 1st mortgage loan.
How it works: Sales price $175,000.00 Typical closing costs & pre-paids 7,522.00 Total costs $182,522.00 Subtract HomeStrength 1st mortgage -175,000.00 Subtract HomeStrength Funds - 7,000.00 You need only $ 522.00
This is an excellent way to buy a home for qualified buyers. There are some rules and restrictions on who may take advantage of this program. Here is some of the highlights:
1. Income limits: $68,800 total annual household income. 2. You do not need to be a first time buyer but you can not own any other real estate at the time of closing. So you could sell your present home and by a new one on the same day. 3. You must have GOOD credit.
Please contact the administrator of the program, GMAC Mortgage, at 1-800-553-4622 ext 3254 or 215-682-3254 for all the details.
Please Click Here if you wish to get Pre-Approved for this program online.
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PHFA Closing Costs Assistance - up to $2000
This is an interest free, payment free 2nd mortgage that is NOT forgiven but is only paid when you transfer ownership of the home, refinance or move out of the home.
These funds are only given in connection with the PHFA Keystone Plus Home Loan. The good thing about this loan is that it carries a super low 30 yr fixed rate.
Qualifications: You must be a First Time buyer or have not owned a property in the last 3 yrs. You must either have a qualifying dependent or be disabled. Your credit must be acceptable for the type of financing you apply for. If you are buying in Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery counties:
Your total annual household income cannot exceed $51,000 for a family of 2 or $59,000 for a family of 3 or more. Sales Price cannot exceed $140,000 for an existing home or $180,000 for new construction.
If you are buying in Philadelphia;
Your total annual household income cannot exceed $60,000 for a family of 2 or $71,000 for a family of 3 or more. Sales Price cannot exceed $150,000 for an existing home or $190,000 for new construction. For all loans, you must meet the basic eligibility requirements for the loan type for which you are applying.
This loan can be FHA, Conventional or VA. Minimum down payment is 2.25% for FHA, 3% for Conventional or 0% for VA.
PHFA does not lend the money directly but works through authorized lenders such as GMAC Mortgage. If you would like more information on this program or would like a FREE, no obligation Pre-Approval, please call 1-800-553-4622 ext 3254 or 215-682-3254.
Click Here if you would like to apply online.
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OHCD (Office of Housing & Community Development) Grant - $800
This is a true grant. Basically they give eligible home buyers $800 to pay towards their closing costs. There are some restrictions:
1. You must be a first time buyer. 2. You can not sign a sales agreement until you have met with one of the counselors. 3. You annual income can not exceed the following income limits for your family size: 1 - $38,550 5 - $59,550 2 - $44,050 6 - $63,850 3 - $49,550 7 - $68,250 4 - $55,050 8 - $72,650
http://www.phila.gov/OHCD/
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| Chester County PA Home Buyers Housing and Grant Programs |
| CHESTER |
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Housing Partnership of Chester County
41 West Lancaster Avenue
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 518-1522
Chester Housing Authority
1010 Madison Street
PO Box 380
Chester, PA 19016-0380
Steven Fischer, Executive Director (610) 876-5561
Services offered: Rental housing and Section 8
Housing Authority of Chester County
30 W. Barnard Street, Suite 2
West Chester, PA 19382
Tonya Mitchell-Weston, Executive Director (610) 436-9200
Services offered: Rental housing and Section 8 |
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| Montgomery County PA Home Buyers Housing and Grant Programs |
| MONTGOMERY |
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Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Development
1430 DeKalb Street, PO Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404
(610) 278-3540
Montgomery County Housing Authority
104 West Main Street, Suite 1
Norristown, PA 19401-4716
Joel Johnson, Executive Director (610) 275-5720
Services offered: Rental housing and Section 8 |
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| Philadelphia PA Home Buyers Housing and Grant Programs |
| PHILADELPHIA |
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Philadelphia Office of Housing and Community Development
1234 Market Street, 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Deborah McColloch, Acting Director (215) 686-9749
Philadelphia Housing Authority
12 South 23rd St., 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Carl Greene, Executive Director (215) 684-4174
Services offered: Rental housing and Section 8
Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations
1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1600
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Rick Sauer (215) 732-5829
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Below are counseling agencies that can help you obtain this grant. Please call them to make an appointment with one of the counselors.
ACORN Housing Corporation of PA |
Mount Airy USA |
| George Butts |
Farah Jimenez |
| (215) 765-1018 |
(215) 844-6021 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Asociacion de Puertorriquenos (APM) |
New Kensington Community Development Corporation |
| (215) 235-6070 |
(215) 427-0350 Ext.109 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
| Frankford Group Ministry |
Northwest Counseling Services |
| Merelyn Rodriguez |
Henry Cruz |
| (215) 743-9201 Ext. 107 |
(215) 324-7500 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Congresode Latinos Unidos |
Philadelphia Council for Community Advancement |
| Sybille Damas |
Vincent DiBiase |
| (215) 763-8870 Ext. 1405 |
(215) 567-7803 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley |
Philadelphia Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. |
| Debbie Cooper |
Bernard Hawkins |
| (215) 563-5665 Ext. 3313 |
(215) 988-9879 Ext. 202 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, Inc. (CONCILIO) |
South Philadelphia HOMES, Inc. |
| Jaime Fugueras |
Claudia Sherrod |
| (215) 627-3100 Ext. 254 |
(215) 334-4430 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Dixon House of the Diversified Community Services |
Urban League of Philadelphia |
| Diane Grimes |
Ruth Gaskins |
| (215) 336-3511 |
(215) 561-6070 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Fern Rock Ogontz Belefield CDC |
West Oak Lane CDC |
| Darcel McDaniel |
Joan Atkins |
| (215) 549-8755 |
(215) 224-0880 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
| Germantown Settlement |
Intercultural Family Services |
| Bernadette Prater |
Evelyn Marcha-Hidalgo |
| (215) 849-3105 |
(215) 386-1298 |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
Pre-Purchase and Pre-Closing Educational Seminars |
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