Up To $ 40,000 in Charles County Down Payment Assistance is Available!

Charles County has a new down payment assistance program called the Neighborhood Conservation Initiative (NCI) Down Payment Assistance Program that all first time home buyers considering a foreclosure should look at! This program, administered by the Charles County Department of Community Services Housing Authority, is offering up to $39,999 to first time home buyers who are looking at buying a foreclosure in Charles County! Here's a brief rundown of the program itself:

Eligibility:

• Must Be US Citizen ro Resident Alien
• Must qualify for a fixed rate mortgage for a minimum of 30 years with a participating lender (see participating lender referral list).
• Must complete a minimum of eight hours of housing counseling from a HUD approved housing counseling agency before obtaining a mortgage loan. See HUD approved list at www.hud.gov/buying/localbuying.cfm
• Must meet income eligibility. Total household income cannot exceed area median income (AMI), adjusted for household size (NCI uses IRS Form 1040 definition of annual income).

Property Criteria:

• Existing dwelling must be foreclosed and vacant. New construction is excluded.
• Targeted neighborhoods: Residential units located within eligible zip codes: 20601, 20602, 20603, 20616, 20640, 20664, and 20695.
• Eligible dwelling types: single family detached, semi- detached, townhouse, or condominium apartment.

NCI DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE LOAN TERMS

• Down Payment Assistance Loan Amount:

Homebuyers below/at 50% of AMI – Option A or B Homebuyers above 50% but below/at 120% AMI – Option A only Option A) $14,999 in NCI Down Payment Assistance Five year minimum length affordability period Option B) $39,999 in NCI Down Payment Assistance Ten year minimum length affordability period

• Purchased property must be homebuyer’s primary residence.
• During the five or ten year affordability period, the down payment loan principal with 0% interest is repayable to the Charles County Department of Community Services Housing Authority upon earlier to occur of sale, transfer, refinance, default on primary loan, or discontinuance of borrower occupancy.
• Eligible homebuyer must purchase the property at a discount equal to at least 1% less than the current appraised fair market value of such foreclosed/vacant property, based on an appraisal acceptable to the State, which is dated within sixty days of an offer made for such property.

Charles County SELP

First time homebuyers participating in the Charles County NCI Down Payment Assistance Program may also submit an application for financial assistance under the Charles County Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP). New Eligible applicants may receive a SELP loan up to $6,000 at 5% interest, which accrues for the first year only. The loan is repaid when the home is resold, refinanced, or transferred.

Getting Started

If you think that you may be eligible for this program, give me a call at (301)-653-8116 to get started! Funds are VERY limited, and once they're gone, they're gone! The opportunity to get up to $40,000 in downpayment, combined with up to $6,000 in the SELP program, AND the $8,000 tax credit means a HUGE discount for home buyers in Charles County! Not only that, but you DON'T need to be a first-time home buyer, you only need to not currently own a residence!