Get $5,000 towards closing costs!

I'm happy to announce that the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) has it's funding in place for 2012 and these funds are readily available for those who qualify.

The FHLB program is a great help to those who need assistance with closing costs.

A change this year to the FHLB funds are that the closing assistance has been reduced from $7,500 to $5,000. 

This FHLB program is fantastic because it doesn't mandate any special inspections and it doesn't have any additional restrictions on debt to income eligibility.

If you'll like more information or to get qualified for this program contact me by phone 410.357.1774 or email.

~Nnaemeka Chima

Homeset Realty Team

 BUYING YOUR FIRST PLACE?

Then HGTV is looking for you!

]]>http://www.homesetrealty.com/Blog/Join-HGTV-My-First-Place-Are-you-buying-a-homehttp://www.homesetrealty.com/Blog/Join-HGTV-My-First-Place-Are-you-buying-a-homeThu, 22 Sep 2011 03:00:00 GMT$4,000 Grant for East Baltimore City Home Buyers

The next trolley tours for East Baltimore City will be held Saturday, September 10th at Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School "MERVO" 3500 Hillen Road, Baltimore, MD 21218.

The first 50 homebuyers that attend the trolley tour and execute a sales contract within 90 days of the fair receive a $4,000 award towards closing costs.

More information on City website: http://www.baltimorehousing.org/homeownership_trolley

Call Chima at 410.602.3232 x510 for more details or to get a list of all homes that match your search criteria.  Reference 'East Baltimore Trolley Tours'.

Here's the latest information for the Baltimore City Community Development Block Grant Program:

CDBG's First Time Homebuyer Program

What is it?

The Office of Homeownership established a new program designed to assist first time home buyers. The program, the Community Development Block Grant Program, can give qualified first time home buyer $5,000 toward down payment and settlement expenses.

Who is eligible?

First-time homebuyers with a counseling certificate from a City Approved Counseling Agency. Upon receiving a counseling certificate, the borrower can then find a property and sign a contract to purchase. Once executing a contract, the borrower must bring that contract back to the counseling agency to have the CDBG program application completed. The property must be inspected utilizing an HQS inspection conducted by a certified lead abatement inspector. Please be absolutely certain that there is no peeling, flaking, chipping paint inside or outside the purchased property.

Additionally, if you qualify for other mortgage incentive programs, you can stack these incentives to pay all of your closing cost expenses and may have enough residual to reduce your mortgage principal. We have witnessed homebuyers stacking more than $20,000 in incentive funds.

What are the benefits?

$5,000 down payment and closing assistance structured as a 5-year loan forgivable 20 percent per year.

What are the restrictions/loan terms?

The funding source for the CDBG program have 80% median income limitations. You must be within the income limitations to qualify for this program. The income limitations are as follows:

1 person $44,950

2 person $51,400

3 person $57,800

4 person $64,200

5 person $69,350

6 person $74,500

7 person $79,650

8 person $84,750

Great Washington & Greater Baltimore Areas

When purchasing a home as a first time homebuyer, there are many opportunities made available to help you with closing costs & downpayment.  You can find out about these homebuyer opportunities like grants, Settlement Expense Loan programs, Downpayment assistance programs and more by attending a workshop through one of your locally approved agencies.  Here are approved agencies in the area:

Greater Washington Area (Montgomery and Prince George's Counties)

Greater Washington Urban League (301)985-3519

Housing & Community Initiatives, Inc. (301)590-2765

Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. (310)699-3835

Housing Options and Planning (310)567-3330

Kairos Development Corp (301)899-0046

Greater Baltimore (Baltimore County and Baltimore City)

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc. (410)485-8422

Diversified Housing Development (410)496-1214

Harbel Housing Partnership (410)444-9152

Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore (410)327-1200

Eastside Community Development (410)284-9861

Govans Economic Management Senate (GEMS) (410)443-3400

More agencies and programs for homebuyers can be found on the Maryland Mortgage Program website: http://www.mmprogram.org/

5404 Morello Road, Baltimore MD

SHORT SALE RULES

'What is a Short Sale?', 'Why is a Short Sale not short ?", "What do I need to do to qualify for a short sale?", or "Will the bank come after me for the difference owed?".  Below is an insightful video by NAR that breaks down the short sale process. 

Call us if you have any questions.  We'll love to help!

Contact us if we can help you with your home sale or purchase.

Enjoy!

~Chima

The Greater Board of Realtors (GBBR) will be hosting an upcoming licensing course series beginning February 28th and continuing through April 20th on Monday and Wednesday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  [Alexander Waicker] The cost of the series is $200, plus approximately $50 for books and materials.  Instructor: Leah Knoerlein, LT Realty.  Registration is available through the Education Calendar or contact Jenifer League at (410) 337-7200 or Jenifer@GBBR.org.
 

1629 Gleneagle Road, Baltimore MD

$7,500 Grant available...

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta has announced that funding for the First Time Homebuyers Grant Program for 2011 is now available.  Grants up to $7,500 are available to use as part of down payment or closing cost assistance.

Some of the criteria to qualify for the grant is as follows:

Your annual family income is at or below 80% of the area median income.

You successfully complete a homeownership counseling session.

You agree to live in the home.

You save at least $500 of your own money towards the purchase of your home.  For every $1 you save towards the purchase, the program will provide $5 (up to a max of $7,500)

Call today for more details: 410.602.3232 x510 ~Chima

1701 E. 33rd Street, Baltimore Ctiy, MD

Wonderful Opportunity!!! Beautiful End of Group (hard to find) Home in Montebello Community (near the lake)! *Large Foyer *4 bedrooms on upper level* Large Dining Room w/Breakfast Bar to Kitchen *Updated Kitchen * More...

We are incredibly grateful to God for His Love! 

Thanks to all of our friends, family, clients and associates for your continued support.  We are honored to have the opportunity to help make a difference in so many peoples lives!

Have a safe and joyous holiday!

Pricing property properly is a skill that comes with knowing the market and historical data.  We prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for each Seller; which allows them accurately evaluate their properties.  A good CMA will provide data on active, under contract, sold, withdrawn and expired listings.  This information will cover a period of at least the past 6 months.  The data for the subject property includes the trend in pricing, the types/style of homes selling and the length of time homes are taking to sell from list to settlement. 

If you're looking to sell or just want to know the value of your home in today's market give me a call today: 410-602-3232 or email: send message.  I'll be glad to prepare a complimentary report for you.

-Nnaemeka Chima

If you're thinking of getting your home ready to sell next year, here are some great staging tips to help get:

 (1)The most money   (2)In the least time   (3)With the lease hassles

Tip 1

Enhance the visual depth in any room. Accent one wall in a darker color and then hang a stylish mirror on the opposite wall.

Tip 2

Decorate a smaller room in varying shades of the same cool color to give it a nice, even flow that is uninterrupted by other colors.

Tip 3

Makeover your bathroom quickly and inexpensively by painting the ceiling a fresh acent color and replacing towels, pull, knobs and mirror.

Tip 4

Be creative with wallpaper as it can be stylish backdrop for giving focus and attention to an entire wall or simply a recessed area.

Look out for more home staging tips! 

If you or someone you know needs assistance in selling, buying or renting property, call me at 410.602.3232.  I can help.

-Chima

3737 Clarks Lane, Baltimore MD

Wonderful Opportunity to Own a 2 BR + 2BA Condo at the Diplomat!

3908 Roxanne Road, Randallstown MD 21133

Open Sunday, October 31st 1 - 3pm

Amazingly Lovely - Detached Split Foyer Home **Immaculately maintained **New roof **Updated Kitchen **Professionally landscaped yard w/fenced backyard **Lawn Sprinkler system **Crown molding *Bump out from Kitchen (great area for sitting room) **Fireplace **Large Basement with extra Bedroom and Den **Finished Laundry room w/cabinet **One Year Home Warranty!

Click below to start your home search:

Basic search -http://www.chimagroup.idxco.com/idx/7570/basicSearch.php

Advanced search -http://www.chimagroup.idxco.com/idx/7570/advancedSearch.php

Luxury search -http://www.chimagroup.idxco.com/i/7570/Search_Luxury_Homes

Rental search -http://www.chimagroup.idxco.com/i/7570/Search_Rentals

Foreclosure search -http://www.chimagroup.idxco.com/i/7570/Search_Foreclosures

We are always looking for ways to improve our services and truly welcome any suggestions you might have.  Please feel free to contact us via email or a call.