Christina Simmons** HUD Approved Realtor DIRECT ACCESS 713-269-9235
CHRISTINA SIMMONS
CHRISTINA SIMMONS 713-269-9235 Email CHRISTINA

NEW MONEY..FREE MONEY...ASK ME

 

Attention first time home buyers, HARRIS County has a program that offers downpayment assistance to home buyers who may be eligible. New construction home grant money is  $14.200.00 and new resell home within 10 years of buillt, the grant money is $9,500.00

I have helped several first time home buyers navigate through this process, some of my clients have choosen new construction homes and some of my buyers purchased newer built resell homes in established neighborhoods.

So what ever you decide to purchase new or resell you will  want to work with a Realtor who has a proven record of navigating throught the process with Harris County downpayment assistance program, also known as DAP.

If money seems to be the reason holding you back in buying your home, you may want to consider the Harris county downpayment program, you will need to meet certain criteria for the programs, one being you are able to provide three years of tax returns, and your credit must be at least 620 fico score. There is also a maximum income restrictions for families- please chart below.

Two insepctions will be needed in order to purchase the home, one being the TREC inspection  that the buyer will set up first, then the second would be Harris County inspector would come out after all repairs have been made from the seller, once your Realtor has negotiated the repair items with the seller.

 

There is also an interview that you the buyer will travel  to Harris county and meet with one or more of the staff members, this is mandatory in order to receive the grant money.

Sounds interesting? If so, then you will want to take the required HUD class to receive your certificate, this is the first step in order to receiving  the Harris county grant money. I have the list of HUD classes below- just scroll down.

Once you have the certificate the next step would be is to get pre-qualified with an approved lender-the list is provided at the HUD classes.

Once you have your prequal letter from the lender then you will contact a Realtor who is familiar with the Harris county downpayment program, hopefully you wil feel comfortable enough to contact me as your Realtor.

 

Thanks for reading-if you have any questions on the process I will be happy to speak with you and help you in any way that I can.

-Christina

 

 

 

CLASSES FOR DOWN PAYMENT

HUD APPROVED HOMEOWNERSHIP

EDUCATION PROVIDERS

To be eligible for the Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP), the applicant and/or coapplicant

must complete a homeownership education course prior to application for HUD

assistance. Below is a limited list of local HUD approved counseling agencies. A

complete list can be obtained through HUD’s web site at www.hud.gov.

COUNSELING AGENCY NAME

ADDRESS

TELEPHONE

            1.           AVENUE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

                           CORPORATION

                            Classes in English and Spanish

                            2505 Washington Avenue, Suite 400

                             Houston, TX 77007

                              713-864-8099

                               713-864-0027 Fax

               2.      CATHOLIC CHARITIES CDC

                           Classes in English and Spanish

                              400 East 41st Street

                                Houston, TX 77022

                               713-699-0785

                               713-699-2526 Fax

                3.        CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER

                        Classes in English, Spanish, and Chinese

                          9800 Town Park Drive

                              Houston, TX 77036

                                 713-271-6100

                                713-271-3713 Fax

                 4.         CREDIT COALITION

                          Classes in English and Spanish

                           3300 Lyons Avenue, No. 203A

                               Houston, TX 77020

                                   713-224-8100

                                713-224-8102 Fax

                             FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY

                   5.          REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

                             Classes in English and Spanish

                        4300 Lyons Avenue, Suite 300

                                    Houston, TX 77020

                                           713-674-0175

                                        713-674-0176 Fax

                    6.       GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICES

                                Classes in English and Spanish

                                          9320 Kirby Drive

                                         Houston, TX 77054

                                           713-393-4700

                                         713-393-4763 Fax

                    7.        HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE

                                Classes in English and Spanish

                                   1301 Texas Avenue

                                   Houston, TX 77002

                                      713-393-8735

                                   713-768-7907 Fax

                   8.       LATINO LEARNING CENTER, INC.

                              Classes in English and Spanish

                                     3522 Polk Street

                                      Houston, TX 77003

                                          713-223-1391

                                         713-222-2338 Fax

                    9.      MONEY MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL

                               Classes in English and Spanish

                                      11550 Fuqua, Suite 350

                                          Houston, TX 77034

                                            713-394-3048

                                          713-951-9690 Fax

                     10.     NACA (NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE

                                         CORPORATION OF AMERICA)

                                    Classes in English and Spanish

                                       6666 Harwin Drive, Suite 260

                                            Houston, TX 77036

                                               713-706-3400

                                                 888-297-5568 Fax

                                                Updated 04/14/11

                         11.               NID-HCA COOKSEY

                                              Classes in English

                                            4018 Chartres Street

                                              Houston, TX 77004

                                                  713-987-7003

                                                   713-987-7004 Fax

                            12.               NID-HCA DIGHTMAN

                                              Classes in English

                                         2616 South Loop West, Suite 580

                                                 Houston, TX 77054

                                                  713-349-8008

                                                  713-349-0085 Fax

                             13.                NID-HCA FRYE

                                                Classes in English

                                               3404 Blodgett Street

                                                Houston, TX 77004

                                                   713-715-4491

                                                   713-715-4492 Fax

                                14.      TEJANO CENTER OF COMMUNITY

                                           CONCERNS

                                       Classes in English and Spanish

                                             6901 Brownwood

                                               Houston, TX 77020

HARRIS CO. DOWN PAYMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Houston area down payment program for first time home buyers. Yes you may qualify for the grant money of either  $14,200 or $9,500 this would depend on the property being new construction or resell home for the amount of grant given.The home needs to be 10 years or newer.

You should work with a Realtor who is familiar with this program. You will need to have the home inspected by licensed inspector with the state and then the city will also send out their housing inspector to make sure the repairs from the first inspection is completed.

I have pulled some information from the Harris county site to give you more information on this program.

I am Houston Realtor who has worked with the down payment assistance program .
Visit my website at www.keystomyplace.com or call/text me at 713-269-9235
Downpayment assistance is available to qualified buyers for homeownership.

The minimum requirements for the Harris County Downpayment Assistance Program:

DAP: $14,200 for new construction, $9,500 for resale properties
built within the current ten (10) years.  You must live in the house
for five (5) years, which is the affordability period.

DAP for disabled borrowers: $14,400 for new construction
and $14,400 for resale properties built within the current ten (10) years.  You must
live in the house for five (5) years, known as the affordability period.
 

Homebuyer Information:

Checklist to insure that you meet the minimum DAP requirements:
 

  • Buyer must meet income requirements (see income chart below)

  • Maximum sales price of homes must not exceed FHA 203(b) limits in Harris County

  • Home must be in an unincorporated area of Harris County (cannot be in the City
    of Houston, Pasadena, or Baytown)

  • Homebuyer must be a 1st time homebuyer, or not have owned a home for
    three years prior to applying for assistance, or have lost previous
    home in extenuating circumstances such as a loss due to a fire, flood,
    or hurricane

  • Buyer must be credit and program approved through one of Harris
    County's approved mortgage lenders (see Approved Lenders button below)

  • Buyer must have at least $350 or 1/2 of lenders required down payment to
    invest in the purchase

  • Buyer must have at least one credit score of 620

  • Buyer's debt to income ratio (DTI) cannot exceed 42%

  • Buyer cannot have more than $10,000 in liquid assets
     

  • Everyone in the household must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien
     

  • To begin the DAP process, all applicants must attend a homebuyer
    certificate program from a HUD approved homebuyer education
    course provider     (see button below) and select a Harris County
    approved mortgage lender     (see Approved Lenders button below)
     
  • To participate in this program, you must live in the new or pre-owned house
    for a minimum of five years
 

NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM ..NSP

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)

Harris County’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program will fund projects that create homeownership opportunities and stabilize neighborhoods through the acquisition and rehabilitation of foreclosed and vacant properties across the Harris County area.

The unique program will allow qualified buyers, with the assistance of their real estate agents, to identify foreclosed homes in which they would like to purchase as their primary residence. Harris County Community Services Department would then buy those properties and resell them to applicants at 20% below the purchase price. Qualified homebuyers may be eligible for an additional discount up to 10% to help meet affordability.

Steps to Getting Started

  1. Obtain a homebuyer certificate from a HUD approved Homebuyer education course provider.
  2. Contact us to complete the pre-qualification process. You will receive a pre-qualification letter.
  3. Submit the following documents:
    • Current six (6) months of bank statements (checking/savings).
    • Current three (3) years of income Tax returns (include W-2’s and 1099’s)
    • Current three (3) months of Pay stubs.
    • Other income information such as: child support, alimony, social security benefits, retirement accounts (IRA’s, 401K), disability or worker’s compensation.
    • Birth certificate for everyone living in the home.
    • Divorce papers, if applicable
  4. Contact us for a participating Real Estate Agent.
  5. Have your Realtor locate a foreclosed/vacant within the approved zip code area.
  6. Once you have decided on a property your Realtor will complete and submit the Property Registration Package to Harris County Lending Service.
  7. Once a week your Realtor will keep you informed of the status and next step.


Eligible homes in Harris County must be located within one of the following approved zip code areas.

77013
77014
77015
77016
77017
77029
77031
77032
77034
77037
77038
77039
77040
77041
77044
77045
77047
77048
77049
77050
77053
 		77060
77064
77066
77067
77068
77072
77073
77075
77078
77082
77083
77084
77086
77088
77089
77090
77093
77095
77099
77327
77336		77338
77346
77357
77373
77375
77386
77388
77389
77396
77433
77445
77447
77449
77477
77484
77489
77493
77502
77503
77504
77506		77520
77521
77530
77532
77535
77536
77547
77562
77571
77581
77586
77587
77598

Assistance with HCCSD approved home repairs up to $10,000 may also be available under NSP.

Property Criteria

  • Must be foreclosed and vacant
  • Must be no older than 12 years old in age
  • Purchase price can not exceed FHA 203(b) limits
  • Home repairs must not exceed $10,000.00
  • Seller must be willing to sell property at a discount of at least 1% off the appraised value not to exceed the listed price

Buyer Criteria

  • Must have completed an 8 hour HUD approved certified homebuyer class
  • Must be mortgage pre-qualified for fixed rate loan by one of the approved lenders
  • Must be U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident Alien (documentation required)
  • Must have at least one credit score that is a 620
  • Must not have owned another home in the U.S. within the last 3 years (except a mobile home)
  • Mortgage payment to gross monthly income cannot exceed 30% and total monthly debt cannot exceed 42%
  • Income cannot exceed 120% of Area Median Income
  • Must reside in home as primary residence for the term of affordability period
Number
of family
members

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Max
annual
income *
$53,640$61,200$68,880$76,560$82,680$88,800$94,920$101,040


Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will the Appraisal reports be FHA or Conventional?
    Answer: The appraisal Harris County will order will be for the benefit of Harris County; however, if it is an FHA appraisal and is assigned an FHA case #, it can be used by the buyer’s lender at their discretion.

     
  2. Who has the county contracted to complete the repair work? How will the homebuyer and Mortgage Lender know about the repairs that need to be done?
    Answer:     Harris County has approved contractors to complete the repairs. Upon completion of the inspection report, Harris County will provide the homebuyer and the homebuyer’s lender with a scope of work to be completed by Harris County..

     
  3. Are HUD homes allowed under this program?
    Answer:     Unfortunately, HUD properties would be difficult to obtain because of their transaction process..

     
  4. Will Harris County provide a seller contribution to help with closing costs?
    Answer:     Yes, when the buyer purchases the property from Harris County, we will a 6% contribution..

     
  5. Who negotiates the contract with the Seller/Bank on behalf of the County?
    Answer:     Harris County will handle its own negotiations and will submit the offer to the Seller, based on what the homebuyer is willing to offer for the property..

     
  6. We know there will be 2 contracts. Who prepares the 1st TREC Earnest Money Contract between the Seller/Bank and Harris County and the 2nd EMC between the Homebuyer and Harris County?
    Answer:     Harris County will prepare the contract to acquire the property from the Seller. The Buyer’s Agent prepares the contract for the homebuyer to acquire the property from Harris County, (which must include special provisions provided by Harris County).

     
  7. Are properties that are posted for multiple bidding allowed under this program?
    Answer:     Properties under multiple bidding would be difficult to obtain because of the bidding process..

     
  8. Will there be a Registration Form for us to complete in order to submit a homebuyer’s package?
    Answer: Yes, the Registration form will be available and submitted by your Realtor. A TREC earnest money contract showing Harris County as the Seller of the property with the sales price reflected as the list price..

     
  9. What is the minimum credit score and other required underwriting criteria?
    Answer:     Homebuyers should have at least one credit score that is a minimum of 620..

     
  10. Since the County will order and pay for an Appraisal, will the Mortgage Lender accept this appraisal as well?
    Answer:     That is subject to the lender’s discretion. You should check with them to confirm..

     
  11. Who will conduct and pay for the Property Inspection and Survey?
    Answer:     Harris County approved TREC Inspectors and Surveyors will perform these services..

     
  12. Although significant equity may be injected upfront as a result of discounts offered by the County, will the Mortgage Lender take that into consideration for the purpose of not requiring MI/PMI?
    Answer:     That is subject to the lender’s discretion..

     
  13. Will the county pay for the homebuyer’s Title Policy?
    Answer:     Yes.

     
  14. Who will perform the Appraisal process for the county?
    Answer:     Harris County will use independent fee appraisers who are contracted by Harris County Right of Way Division..

     
  15. Will the Appraisal Reports be assigned a Case Number? For FHA Appraisals, this will be particularly helpful as Mortgage Lenders may be more inclined to accept the appraisal vs. ordering their own.
    Answer:     In most cases, an appraisal that is assigned a FHA case # should be accepted by the lender; however, that is subject to the lender’s discretion..

     
  16. If a potential homebuyer is applying for a work permit/visa, will they be eligible under this program?
    Answer:     We require the applicant to be a Permanent Resident Alien, or a U.S. Citizen. If applicant is married, only one of them must be a Permanent Resident Alien or a U.S. Citizen..

     
  17. Can a homebuyer combine DAP with the NSP program?
    Answer:     Because we are the seller and the majority of lenders allow only a maximum 6% seller contribution, DAP cannot be combined with NSP..

     
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