Jack Johnson

Hey everyone:

I love supporting local events especially if they concern Pottstown. This is the Historic Homebuyer and Cultural Show. The guest speaker will be Michel R. Lefeure from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission on "What Makes an Old House Historic".

This show will offer an education in grant

funding, restoration and renovation ideas as well as

interior and exterior elements.

This show will also feature various organizations

offering information about events and points of

interest in the Borough of Pottstown.

Plan to attend one of our many workshops.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

101 College Drive | Pottstown, PA | Admission: Free to the public

For more information, call 610-970-6520

or logon to our website www.pottstown.org

Hey everyone,

I just bought this really cool program
that can tell you all about area prices and market conditions in Real Estate.
I know the market has been rough lately but if you want to know how your home weathered the storm
just check out this link below.

It takes me about a half an hour to produce but I'm glad to do it free for you guys.

MLS Market Spanshot report

I have not been a lifelong resident of Pottstown though I know its a great town that is working hard to improve all of the time.

One of the things the town offers is called The Homeownership Initiative Program. It pays up to $5,000 for home improvements. This is something I took advantage of Since I bought after January 1st of 05.
Now technically its not a Grant. Its a SOFT LOAN. It requires no payments and no interest as long as you occupy for at least 7 years. Now if you leave before the 7 years is up then the amount you borrowed is prorated and the balance is paid back to the town at the settlement table.

Its great for residents and Realtors alike. The bennefit is obvious for a resident. As a realtor I make sure all of my sellers know about the program and make sure its offered to all of my buyers as long as the home is in the 'Core Redevelopment District' and is occupied by the buyer. Maps and applications can be found at the borough website: http://www.pottstown.org/economic-Information.htm

There are 2 other programs that should be noted. One is the Facade Grant. It applies only to commercial buildings in the Historic District.
This IS a Grant, though its a special kind. Its a 'matching grant'. This means that if you put $1,000 into the improvement of the outside of your building, Pottstown will match it if your application is accepted. The cap on this grant is $5,000. So if you wanted a $10,000.00 Improvement to the outside of your Commercial Building for half the price this is the Grant for you.

The last program is the multi-unit version of the home-ownership initiative program that I first mentioned. It basically awards money the same way but allows its applicants upto $15,000.00 for converting a two-unit into a single. This could be a valuable tool for the savy owner occupant.

Hope this helps and encourages some of you to take a closer look at Pottstown. A home search is available on my website: www.Iknowjackandtom.com

~Jack

Are you at risk of losing your home??

I was inspired to post this because I knew people in need of Forclosure help and
its definately scary if you don't know what to do. My own advice though I would say go to http://www.hemap.org/ (if you live in PA)


Its a very informative website and it tells about grant help if you are behind because of an uncontrolable circumstance and how the mortgage company can't forclose once you have had your "face to face" meeting with the lawyer. But this website is only for those in Pennsylvania. I am very willing to talk to anyone about this too. You can find my number on my website http://www.iknowjackandtom.com/



If you are at risk of losing your home and you live in PA you're in luck. There are grants available to assist by bringing your mortgage current and/or lowering your monthly payment for a period of 24 months max.

This however is only available if you have missed mortgage payments for reasons beyond your control. You also have to have some plan of action to resume your regular payments.

Ok so here's basically how it works. You miss 'x' number of mortgage payments and the mortgage company has not only changed thier tone with you but their frequency of calls has increased as well.
DON'T PANIC and DON'T IGNORE the MORTGAGE COMPANY... they won't go away.

Talk to the Mortgage company and tell them your situation. Communication is KEY. Ask them if they have sent out an 'ACT 91' letter. This is a letter that basically states that foreclosure preceedings have begun.

Time to Act!
Ok, so you have your letter. You log onto HEMAP.org You find a nearby agency and IMMEDIATELY schedule your 'Face to Face' consultation. This important because as I mentioned above, this will legally STOP the foreclosure process because your application will be under evaluation.

So what now?
The application must be completed. This can be done while you're having your face to face meeting with the counselor. You will need the following items! Be Prepared- and Don't procrastinate- the evaluation period is only 90 days.

1. Letter of Circumstance: This explains why you couldn't make your payments and what you are doing to resume payments.
2. 3 years of income taxes
3. Proof that what happened to you really happened: ie you missed work because you were in the hospital so you include a hospital bill.
4. Deed to your house: you need to prove you own it.
5. Proof of insurance on the house
6. Tax info for the house
7. Your Act 91 Letter
8. At Least 3 statements from the mortgage company
9. 3 months worth of Bank info: you should prove you're broke too.
10. 3 months of Utility Bills/statements
11. Last 3 paystubs from work
12. Any kind of proof of alternate income: You raked Mrs. Jones yard, she signed the invoice.
    

That's pretty much it. Use the 90 days to work your ass off to get money incase your application is rejected. I don't want you to lose your house! Any other info check out www.hemap.org