Connecticut Home Buyers Like the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Development Loan

Astute home buyers in select Connecticut communities  are very interested in the USDA  Guaranteed Rural Housing Development Loan.

They find this mortgage particularly attractive because they:
•  Have the ability to finance 100% of the home’s appraised value – No Down Payment is required
•  Don’t have to fear risking all their earned savings in a new home
•  Can take advantage of today’s low-interest rates
•  Afford a more expensive home and still enjoy low monthly payments

OVERVIEW
The USDA  Guaranteed Rural Housing Development Loan  offers many benefits to qualified buyers:
• Up to 100% Financing of the home’s Appraised Value – No Down Payment is required
• Ability to finance Closing Costs when the Appraised Value is higher than the sales price
• One  30 year fixed rate mortgage  at low-interest rates
• Buyers with <20% down payment can afford higher priced listings because Monthly MI is cheaper than premiums associated with conventional and FHA mortgages
• No Pre-Payment Penalty. No Re-Capture Tax.
• No limit on Seller Contributions. No limit on Gift Funds
» No Cash Contribution required from buyer
•  Credit Scores down to 620.

CAVEATS
The USDA  Guaranteed Rural Housing Development Loan does have a few restrictions:
•  The home must be in a USDA “designated rural area”
•  Adjusted household income can not exceed established income limits
•  Single-family Property only. Must  be buyer’s’ primary residence

My expertise with the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan expands my ability to provide you with the  “Right” home financing solution.

Call Me at 860.945.9284 to discuss your mortgage options and to take advantage of my FREE  Jump Start Mortgage Pre-Approval service.
You just might be able to move into your new home in select areas of CT with little or no out-of-pocket money and low affordable monthly payments.

3 Tips for Nervous First Home Buyers

First Home Buyers are rightfully nervous about buying a new home. It’s a big decision, a big change and a big investment. But with rising rents, low mortgage rates, new loan programs targeted to First Home Buyers and an increase in the supply of quality homes, many wanna-be home buyers feel they can’t pass up the opportunity to take the big step in 2015.

Here are 3 Tips for Nervous First Home Buyers to quell your nightmares and help make your dream a reality.
1.  Get Mortgage Pre-Approval – Talk to a professional mortgage officer. The time you spend documenting your financial fitness to buy a home is well spent if the lender gives you a “Pre-Approval” letter, an important tool as you negotiate for a property.

2.  Be Objective – Instead of thinking with your heart, think with your head when mulling over the decision to buy, Don’t be afraid to ask thoseyourself tough, practical questions that will help you make the best choice about buying your first home.

3. Take a Cautious Approach to Home Selection – Hire your own Real Estate Agent. Inventories are expected to rise this spring as snow-bound home sellers begin to put their homes on the market. Choose a Realtor who is working for you, not the seller. Get one that’s honest; one who understands your concerns and has the patience to guide you through the whole home buying process.

If your dream is to own your own home … you might kick yourself later if you let your fears get the better of you. Now is The Time to Buy!

Is The 2014 Spring Home Buying Season in CT a Bust? What Do You Think?

I live in a small CT town with a population of about 23,000 persons. According to City Data.com, we have 8,300 houses in town. According to Zillow.com & Realtor.com there are currently about 225 properties for sale in town including SF homes, condos, a few multi-families and some land lots. Every Sunday, the local paper lists recent sales in area towns. For the past 5-6 weeks no sales have been reported for our little town. Last Sunday, the paper reported that 24 properties were sold; 30% of which were sold to the bank for a $1. I did a quick check of neighboring towns with lower populations, similar demographics and higher housing density and their figures seemed to be comparable.

Then I read a blog by CTNewsJunkie that cites a report by the state Labor Department and Economic Development Department that seems to blame the housing market for the pain we suffer. The report contends that “if the slowdown in housing, which began in the summer of 2013, continues, job growth will slow this year and again in 2015.  They forecast job growth in CT will “slow to fewer than 20,000 new jobs from YE 2013 to late 2015.” Now that’s new jobs statistics and doesn’t consider a contraction of the total work force due to job losses particularly in the Financial Services and Goods Producing sectors.

It has been my contention for the past few months that the Spring Home Buying Season in CT is a Bust. Homes aren’t selling and Buyers aren’t buying because:

o   Mortgage interest rates have risen.
o   Investor demand for good deals pushed home prices up
o   Home values are optimistic in relationship to inventory and demand
o   Job security has turned would be buyers and sellers into “Fence Sitters”
o   Job growth in CT has been hampered by a lack of any government initiatives to promote a business climate that would create jobs

Now I’m glad I have an extensive network of referral sources to keep me busy! But I am interested in your  take on all this. Are you a First Home Buyer, a Mover Upper, a Down Sizer? Or why are you a Fence Sitter? Is this the banner year you expected? Is it a Buyer’s or a Seller’s market? Is the CT housing market out of the woods yet? I am interested in your feedback and welcome your comments.