It’s a great program for making up to $35,000 of improvements to the home.  Many time, foreclosed property has what Realtors refer to as “Deferred Maintenance.”  This means that people who could not afford to make their house payment – also could not afford to have the termite / wood rot repaired, or the stove fixed, or the carpet replaced… So this loan is PERFECT for those kinds of updates!

What items can you update – and which ones can you NOT do with this loan?  Here are some basic guidelines:

Eligible Improvements/Work

• Repair/Replacement of roofs, gutters and downspouts
• Repair/Replacement/upgrade of existing HVAC systems
• Repair/Replacement/upgrade of plumbing and electrical systems
• Repair/Replacement of flooring
• Minor Remodeling, such as kitchens, which does not involve structural repairs
• Painting, both exterior and interior
• Weatherization, including storm windows and doors, insulation, weather
• stripping, etc.
• Purchase and installation of appliances, including free-standing ranges,
• refrigerators, washers/dryers, dishwashers and microwave ovens
• Accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities
• Repair/Replace/add exterior decks, patios, porches
• Basement finishing and remodeling, which does not involve structural repairs
• Basement waterproofing, including mold removal
• Window and door replacements and exterior wall re-siding
• Septic system and/or well repair or replacement
• Connection to public water or sewage system

Ineligible Improvements/Work

• Major rehabilitation or major remodeling, such as the relocation of a wall
• New construction (including room additions)
• Repair of structural damage
• Repairs requiring detailed drawings, plans or architectural exhibits
• Landscaping or similar site amenity improvements, including fence
• Lead-based paint stabilization or abatement of lead-based paint hazards
• Any repair or improvement requiring a work schedule longer than three (3) months; or Rehabilitation activities that require more than two (2) draws/payments.
• Any work requiring a plan reviewer
• Result in work not starting within 30 days after loan closing; or cause the borrower to be displaced from the property for more than 30 days during the time the rehabilitation work is being conducted (FHA anticipates that, in a typical case, the borrower would be able to occupy the property after the mortgage closing.

REMEMBER!  If you are a First Time HomeBuyer, you might qualify for a $8000 tax credit (that you don’t have to pay back!)!  Click Here for more details!

Many loan officers do not offer this program, and are not familiar with the process.  Please call Steve and Eleanor Thorne, First Financial Services in Cary, NC for details!  919-649-5058