You want to own your own home. You know that prices are very affordable and interest rates are extremely attractive. But rising gas prices and a weak economy leaves you struggling to save for that down payment. Sound familiar?
Most loan officers will tell you that a conventional mortgages can require 5, 10 or 20% for a down payment. Even government backed FHA loans will require that buyers have a minimum of 3.5% of their own funds to invest in their home. Our veterans have always had a wonderful zero down program available and the VA loan program is still a great option to those who have served our country. But for other buyers trying to come up with the minimum 3.5% down payment required by FHA or 5-10% down for a conventional loan is a road block to in their path to a new home.
There is good news for those considering buying a home in Chisago County. Most communities in Chisago County are designated rural areas and qualify for the zero down option, Rural Development Program through the USDA. Best of all this is NOT a program just for first time home buyers…Anyone can take advantage of the program if the home and your income meet the requirements.
Now when some people hear "rural", they immediately start to think I will have to buy a broken down old-time farmstead in the middle of nowhere. Nothing could be further from the truth! According to the USDA Rural Development website, the program was created to "build stronger, more vibrant rural communities across the nation." This unique housing loan program does apply in many counties in the north and east metro that aren't so far from the cities and they don't have to be farmsteads either! Communities in Isanti and Chisago Counties including North Branch, Stacy, Chisago City, Lindstrom, Shafer, Taylors Falls and many others can possibly qualify for this program. If you are considering buying a home in any of these communities, it is a great program to look into. But only a handful of loan officers really know the ins and outs that make a program like this work.
I do work in several of these communities and have shown homes in these areas of the past few weeks. The deals throughout Lindstrom and North Branch are nothing short of amazing. Homes that are 5-6 years old are being sold for $30-50K less than just a few years ago! Amazing properties with 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 3 car garages and ½ acre yards for well under $200K. Beautiful homes in move in condition…And with the USDA program they are available for ZERO DOWN!
I have a couple of great loan contacts that do understand USDA and can get you started on your path to home ownership with a USDA loan. These mortgage professional know I work with buyers and sellers all over Chisago County and the north and east metro so have given me a quick lesson on this unique CONVENTIONAL LOAN program. Some of the features and benefits include:
There is good news for those considering buying a home in Chisago County. Most communities in Chisago County are designated rural areas and qualify for the zero down option, Rural Development Program through the USDA. Best of all this is NOT a program just for first time home buyers…Anyone can take advantage of the program if the home and your income meet the requirements.
Now when some people hear "rural", they immediately start to think I will have to buy a broken down old-time farmstead in the middle of nowhere. Nothing could be further from the truth! According to the USDA Rural Development website, the program was created to "build stronger, more vibrant rural communities across the nation." This unique housing loan program does apply in many counties in the north and east metro that aren't so far from the cities and they don't have to be farmsteads either! Communities in Isanti and Chisago Counties including North Branch, Stacy, Chisago City, Lindstrom, Shafer, Taylors Falls and many others can possibly qualify for this program. If you are considering buying a home in any of these communities, it is a great program to look into. But only a handful of loan officers really know the ins and outs that make a program like this work.
I do work in several of these communities and have shown homes in these areas of the past few weeks. The deals throughout Lindstrom and North Branch are nothing short of amazing. Homes that are 5-6 years old are being sold for $30-50K less than just a few years ago! Amazing properties with 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 3 car garages and ½ acre yards for well under $200K. Beautiful homes in move in condition…And with the USDA program they are available for ZERO DOWN!
I have a couple of great loan contacts that do understand USDA and can get you started on your path to home ownership with a USDA loan. These mortgage professional know I work with buyers and sellers all over Chisago County and the north and east metro so have given me a quick lesson on this unique CONVENTIONAL LOAN program. Some of the features and benefits include:
· NO down payment
· NO monthly PMI
· The seller is allowed to pay all reasonable closing cost and prepaids up to 6%
· NO hit to the interest rate for the zero down
· NOT just for first time home buyers
· NO reserves needed
There are income limits to the program that will prevent some buyers from qualifying. These numbers have recently increased to allow more potential buyers to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Household income does include all residents in the home that work so yes, your teenager’s income from a job at the local fastfood chain will be included as would be your retired mother’s social security payment if they are living in the home. These income limitations are guidelines and, in some cases, may be exceeded.
Understanding the restrictions is essential but the benefits to the program are enormous! If you are considering a home in Chisago County, plan on speaking with a qualified loan officer that understands the rural development loan program before starting your home search. You could be able to afford more home than you expect. Likewise, working with a REALTOR ® that knows understands the current market conditions of the communities within this program are just as critical to your dream home becoming a reality.
Understanding the restrictions is essential but the benefits to the program are enormous! If you are considering a home in Chisago County, plan on speaking with a qualified loan officer that understands the rural development loan program before starting your home search. You could be able to afford more home than you expect. Likewise, working with a REALTOR ® that knows understands the current market conditions of the communities within this program are just as critical to your dream home becoming a reality.
FEATURED USDA QUALIFYING LISTING IN LINDSTROM:
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota..JPG)
Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!
Copyright 2012 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
******************************************************************************************************
LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe, Follow or Like...It's your choice!
ise the Chisago Lakes Area. The area is named after an Indian phrase, "Ki Chi Saga," which means "fair & lovely waters." Swedish immigrants referred to it as, "The Big Lake," as many of today's area lakes comprised one large lake.
