Special Offers

Closing Cost Assistance and Appliance Incentive for Fannie Mae Homes

Fannie Mae is offering a 3.5% incentive* for buyers who purchase and close on a Fannie Mae-owned home between January 28 and April 30, 2010. Buyers purchasing properties listed on this site that are closed within this period may receive up to 3.5% of the final sales price for:

• Closing costs;
• The purchase of new Whirlpool® appliances by Fannie Mae; or
• A mix of closing costs and appliances, at the buyer's discretion, up to the maximum 3.5%.

To be eligible for this incentive:

• Offers must be accepted on or after January 28, 2010
• Property sales must close before May 1, 2010
• Buyers must be owner-occupants, investors are excluded

Contact a Fannie Mae listing broker for more information.

*Lenders may impose their own limitations on the use of the 3.5% incentive, so buyers should consult their lenders for guidance.

Buying a home? Take Advantage of a Federal Income Tax Credit

New legislation was approved which extends the First-Time Homebuyer Credit for homeowners through April 30, 2010 with a 60-day cushion beyond that date to complete closing. The program broadens benefits to existing homeowners and now includes:

• $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers
• $6,500 tax credit for existing homebuyers who have lived in their current residence for at least five years but want to relocate to a new primary residence
• Increased income limits for individuals and couples

For more information about this program, click here. Also, speak with a lender, accountant or attorney to learn more about how this may apply to you.

Need help buying a home?

State and local housing authorities often have programs to help homebuyers research and purchase a home. Programs can include counseling, down payment assistance, and more.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)
Currently, some local housing authorities and housing non-profits have programs for homebuyers that use HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds.

Fannie Mae supports NSP and offers some concessions to streamline the purchase of Fannie Mae properties for buyers using NSP funds. This includes:

• Deposit Waivers - Fannie Mae will waive the earnest money/deposit requirement for public entities using public funds to purchase a Fannie Mae-owned property. Individual homebuyers using public funds to purchase a Fannie Mae-owned property do not have to meet the full 5% earnest money/deposit requirement. Deposits can be as low as $500.
• Reserved Contract Period - Upon receipt of an acceptable offer, buyers have the ability to renegotiate their offer after obtaining an NSP-required appraisal.
• Extra Time for Closing - Buyer receives up to 45 days to close, 15 days more than is usually permitted for purchases of Fannie Mae-owned properties.

For more information on NSP programs in your area, click here

First Look for Fannie Mae Homes

First Look is designed to provide owner occupants and buyers using public funds a "first look" at Fannie Mae homes. Under First Look, Fannie Mae will only consider offers from owner occupants and buyers using public funds during the first 15 days a property is listed in the local multiple listing service (MLS). If the property is still for sale on the 16th day, investor offers may be submitted and will be considered. Ask a Fannie Mae listing broker for more information.