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First Time Homebuyer Program

What is the First Time Homebuyer Program?

It is a second mortgage loan program to assist qualified low-income individuals with the purchase of their first home.

What are the maximum income limits and FTHB loan amounts?

Income eligibility is based on Household size. The maximum loan amount is determined by the income bracket of the household. Households earning at or below 100% of Area Median Income are eligible for up to a $40,000 loan. (Refer to household size at all income levels)

How much money can I borrow?

The maximum loan amount is 20% of the home sales price, or appraised value, whichever is lower, up to the maximum of $40,000 based on household income and household size.

* As of April 2, 2009

Who is eligible for a loan?

Borrower must be a first time homebuyer, which is a household that has not owned a home within the past three years. Borrowers must be able to qualify for a first mortgage from a participating lender. The homebuyer must provide a minimum of 3% of the purchase price.

What homes are eligible for purchase?

Homebuyers may purchase an existing single-family detached home, condominium, or townhouse located anywhere within Concord City Limits.

What are the loan terms?

• Borrower's Disclosure (currently being updated)
• The loan is a zero-interest, 15-year loan. Loan payments are deferred, with the loan being due at the end of 15 years or earlier if the house is sold.
• The City loan carries shared appreciation, when the home is sold. For example, if the original sales price is $200,000 and the City loan is $20,000, the City's "share" of the appreciation is 10%. At the time of sale or refinance to pay off the City loan, 10% of the appreciation will need to be paid to the City. When the City loan is paid off the shared appreciation obligation ceases.

Inclusionary Housing

The FTHB Program may be used in conjunction with affordable units generated through the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to purchase a new home. The income eligibility is based on household size and is allowable up to 120% of Area Median Income cap ($107,150 for a family of 4). In cases where the FTHB Program is used to purchase an Inclusionary unit, the loan may be increased up to $50,000. This increase is intended to encourage low and moderate-income families to purchase inclusionary units, which are subject to the 45-year deed restriction. Although new inclusionary units are not for sale at this time, units are anticipated to be built over the next few years.

Are there any other requirements?

• Borrowers must attend a City-approved FTHB Counseling Workshop. Schedule a free workshop online through www.Crediteducation.org Classes are typically held within Concord at least two Saturdays per month.
• A home purchased under the FTHB program must be, and remain, the borrower's principal place of residence. The property cannot be leased or rented during the term of the City loan.
• Persons with ownership in most real estate assets are not eligible.
• Funds are limited. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds remain available.

For First Time Home Buyer classes schedule on-line at: www.crediteducation.org.

Until Next time Here is to your success! Jason Wheeler 925-285-2172 | Come to a FREE Bay Are Event |

There are currently 2 single family homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA ranging in price from $869,950 to $884,000*. Homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA are some of the most popular homes among the offerings of Concord CA real estate due to the proximity of good schools, parks and trailhead access.

The most affordable single family home in the Crystyl Ranch area is currently listed at $869,950 and is 5 bedroom 3 bath premium home and lot (10,280 sq. ft.) at ‘The Pointe." There are upgrades galore including granite kitchen, large open entry with high ceilings, 2 master bedrooms (one up and one down), front and rear exterior balconies, patios, and much more. Currently owned by a licensed real estate agent and is tenant occupied on a month to month lease.

On the other end of the spectrum you will find a home offered at $884,000, described in the MLS as "Spectacular 6 bedroom 3 bath home with stunning views! Perfect condition with numerous upgrades. BR & BA on main level, huge kitchen family room, tile floors, custom window coverings, central vacuum, surround sound, 3 car garage. Fully landscaped with waterfall in backyard. Top notch Northgate High school."

3 single family homes are currently pending sale In Crystyl Ranch. These homes were priced from $649,000 to $707,182 and have 4 or more bedrooms and at least 3 bathrooms.

4 homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord sold and closed during July 2009. The Crystyl Ranch homes that sold in Concord during July ranged from $675,000 for a 5 bedroom, 3 bath home to $890,000 fro a 5 bedroom, 3 ½ bath home. Additional details on these two Crystyl Ranch homes that sold during July 2009 follow.

971 Fawn Glen Ct. in Concord CA sold for $675,000 after 105 days on the market:

5295 Hiddencrest Ct. in Concord sold for $890,000 after 153 days on the market:

Click here to receive ongoing monthly real estate market snapshots for Crystyl Ranch
Click here to request a list of homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord

Recent archives of Real Estate Market Updates for Homes for Sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA Archives:
July 2009 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord
CAJune 2009 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA
April 2009 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA
March 2009 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA
February 2009 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA
January 2009 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA
December 2008 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA
November 2008 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA
October 2008 real estate market snapshot for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA

For more information on these, or other homes of interest in Concord CA, please contact Vickie Nagy at (925) 407-7987 or Vickie@BestTriValleyHomes.com

Buying or selling Concord CA real estate, or looking for homes for sale in Crystyl Ranch in Concord CA contact me as I am a skilled agent, offering extensive knowledge and strong negotiation skills. Contact:

Vickie Nagy REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI e-PRO, SRES - CA DRE Lic. # 01363932
(925) 407-7987 or click to e-mail Vickie Nagy

Please contact Vickie Nagy for all of your real estate needs in Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek and Concord. Search the MLS - Keller Williams Realty

Visit Concord CA Real Estate for median home prices, local information & featured listings.

* Based on information from the Contra Costa Association of REALTOR'S® MLS (for the monthly period from the first through the last day of the month). Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS.

Should landlords make energy efficient upgrades to their investment properties?

I had a consultation with some joint owners of a rental property in a nice neighborhood nearby that generally has a good rental appeal and pretty high rents based on the neighborhood, surrounding area, and desirability. One of the parties asked me about making energy efficient improvements to the home for renting it out. The blunt question was “how much more rent will I get by putting in new windows?” The windows are probably 40 years old at present, and some don’t open. My comment was that I thought it would be a quality upgrade to their rental property and would get them a better tenant faster and more importantly keep a good tenant with the savings on their utility bills. The monthly rent, maybe $100 per month more.

In a nice way, they really didn’t think that was enough to do the upgrade and didn’t care what the utility bills would be for their tenant. I told them that buyers today and tenants are picking properties based on utility bills. Believe it. The current economic state has seen a huge move to analyze where we spend our money. Utility bills are money down the drain, no investment purpose of payoff. If we can save $100 on utilities, we can purchase a week's worth of groceries, buy gas or BART tickets to get to work. THIS is a BIG deal with people being laid off, hours cut and working two jobs to make ends meet while we dig out of this foreclosure and bank failure driven economy.

My opinion is that this has changed most people forever!!! I’ve seen a big trend this past year of people moving down in rent and size home to save money and utility bills. It hasn’t just happened once, it’s happening over and over. Once we become aware of things that can save $$$ in our budget, we will not succumb and go back to our old spending habits.

Someone I know reduced their PG&E bill by over $200 a month by just changing all of her lights to fluorescents and turning lights off that the family of 5 would normally not worry about. THAT’s a BIG deal and something the kids and parents won’t forget. So if you are a landlord thinking about an energy efficient upgrade for your rental property, trust me, it will make a difference to your tenants and the longevity of their stay. Isn’t your biggest expense in finding a new tenant my fee in finding the new tenant? I’d like to save you that and keep a good tenant. Give them a property they’ll want to stay in.

DRE 615420
LGLS CP and GREEN Realtor, EcoBroker…thoughts from the field.

The July 2009 median home price in Concord CA was $297,900 for single family detached homes*. There were 97 home sales of single family detached homes, the highest priced home sold for $890,000, the lowest price home sold for $113000. The average selling price of detached single family homes for July 2009 in Concord California was $331,787. The homes that sold during July 2009 in Concord CA were on the market an average of 34 days. Your Concord California real estate market update was written August 4, 2009.

What did 2090 Overhill Rd. in Concord Sell for? $113,000 after 128 days on the market.

What did 5295 Hiddencrest Ct. in Concord Sell for? $890,000 after 153 days on the market.

Home Sales volume and home sales activity is trending upward in Concord CA! There are currently 274 single family detached homes pending sale or under contingency contract in Concord CA. The pending home prices range from $105,000 to $839,000, with an average asking price of $301,564.

The July 2009 median home price in Concord CA was $88,000 for attached homes including duets, condos and town houses. There were 33 attached units sold, the highest priced unit sold for $290,000, and the lowest price unit sold for $52,000. The average selling price of attached homes for July 2009 in Concord California was $101,260. See below for information on attached homes sold on the low and high end.

What did the condo at 2600 Laguna Cir. in Concord (Unit B) sell for? $52,000 after 8 days on the market. Additional details follow.

What did 2030 Bonifacio St. in Concord sell for? $290,000 after 46 days on the market. Additional details follow.

Click here to receive regular market updates for Concord California Real Estate
Click here to request a current list of all homes for sale in Concord CA

There are currently 126 attached homes pending sale in Concord CA including duets, condos and town houses with a median asking price of $121,875. The asking prices range from a low of $45,000 to a high of $365,000.

As of August 4, 2009 there are currently 201 properties on the market in Concord CA. 134 of these are single family homes with a median list price of $394,450 (prices range from $132,500 to $1,299,950). 67 of these are attached homes with a median list price of $119,000 (prices range from $51,950 to $379,900).

Buying or selling a home in Concord or Concord CA real estate, contact me as I am a skilled agent, offering extensive knowledge and strong negotiation skills who is truly focused on "Getting You Where You Need to Be!"

Contact Vickie Nagy REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI e-PRO, SRES - CA DRE Lic. No. 01363932
(925) 407-7987 or click to e-mail Vickie Nagy

Please contact Vickie Nagy for all of your real estate needs in Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek and Concord. Search the MLS - Keller Williams Realty

Visit Concord CA Real Estate for median home prices, local information & featured listings.

Recent archives of Real Estate Market Updates for Homes for Sale in Concord CA include:
June 2009 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
May 2009 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
April 2009 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
March 2009 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
February 2009 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
January 2009 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
December 2008 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
November 2008 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
October 2008 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
September 2008 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
August 2008 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
July 2008 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA
June 2008 real estate market update for homes for sale in Concord CA

* Based on information from the Contra Costa Association of REALTOR'S® MLS (for the monthly period from the first through the last day of the month). Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS.