Stats From Last Week

LISTINGS	Residential (Single Family & Condo)
June 8 -14, 2009	623
Last Year	672
SOLDS
May 31 – June 6, 2009	269
Last Year	286

Tax credit guidance for FHA loans announced by HUD

In his speech at the National Association of REALTORS® Housing Summit, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced a program that allows borrowers to use the first-time homebuyer tax credit for a down payment or closing costs on a FHA-insured mortgage. The Secretary said “We think the policy is a real win for everyone, ensuring that borrowers can tap into the numerous organizations that are already part of the FHA network to receive this additional benefit.”

The details of the program were announced in Mortgagee Letter 2009-15. Government entities and instrumentalities of government may provide a second mortgage. Currently, 10 state housing finance agencies offer a product buyers can use that will effectively monetize the tax credit for down payment purposes. These states are Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Get information on the Kentucky program here

The original guidance permitted lenders and HUD-approved nonprofits and lenders to offer bridge loans via second lien financing or short term loans. Guidance released today allows lenders to offer the monetized tax credit for down payments in excess of 3.5 percent, closing costs and interest rate buy downs. Mortgage industry leaders have indicated that this type of product may not be immediately available to consumers. Lenders will need some time to develop documentation for what will effectively be personal loans to the home buyer.

Last Weeks Stats

LISTINGS Residential (Single Family & Condo)
June 1 – 7, 2009 612
Last Year 715
SOLDS
May 24 – , 2009 229
Last Year 277