Q: What are "NSP homes," and why should I buy one?
A: Orange County has received funding under the Housing and Economic
Recovery Act (HERA) to purchase foreclosed homes with the purpose of
stabilizing neighborhoods affected by foreclosures. Orange County is
purchasing these homes, upgrading the homes to meet energy efficiency
standards and rehabilitating them when needed. Additionally, Orange
County is providing attractive financial incentives to the buyers of
these homes. Orange County will not make a profit when selling these
homes.
Q: Do I need to be a first time homebuyer to purchase an NSP
home?
A: No, as long as you don’t own any real estate property at the time
you apply and purchase an NSP home. However, you still have to meet the
income guidelines for the program; that is that your total household
income cannot exceed 120 percent of the area’s median income. Please
refer to the Income Guidelines Chart on our webpage.
Q: I own other real estate but plan to reside in an NSP home;
can I still participate in the program?
A: No. The program does not allow homebuyers to own real estate at
the time of application and purchase of the NSP homes. Investors are not
allowed under the program.
Q: How do I register for the first time homebuyer course?
A: Please contact a Housing and Urban Development certified housing
counseling agency to sign up for one of their home buyer education
seminars. A list of qualified agencies is located on our NSP website How
to Purchase page.
Q: I already took a first time homebuyer course; do I need to
take it again?
A: Your homebuyer’s course certificate is good for 2 years, as long
as it is a HUD certified housing counseling entity approved by the
Orange County Housing and Community Development Division.
Q: Do I need a realtor to purchase an NSP home? If so, how do
I select one?
A: Yes, all buyers are required to purchase an NSP home through a
realtor. Your realtor will assist you in completing the purchase
contract and in making sure that the process of purchasing an NSP home
goes without problems. You should select an experienced realtor that is
familiar with the NSP or Orange County’s home buying programs. If you do
not have a realtor, you can contact the local Orlando Area Association
of Realtors and they can recommend a realtor that meets your particular
needs.
Q: How do I know the home-price range for which I can
qualify?
A: Despite its many benefits, homeownership is not for everybody.
There are many responsibilities associated with owning a home in
addition to the monthly mortgage payments. You must consider costs such
as insurance, repairs, utilities, maintenance and taxes. You do not want
to overextend yourself and be at risk of losing your house. When a
lender qualifies you for a mortgage, they take into consideration other
factors such as your earnings and your existing debt.
Q: How much of my own money do I need to purchase the home?
A: When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will determine how much
you can afford to pay for a house and the required down payment and
closing costs.
Q: Can Orange County assist me with the down payment and
closing costs to purchase an NSP home?
A: Yes. If you are eligible to purchase an NSP home, you may obtain
financial incentives for homebuyer assistance depending on your income.
Q: If my credit is not good; can I still purchase an NSP
home?
A: You must qualify for financing to purchase an NSP home. If you are
not sure about your ability to obtain financing to purchase a home
because of bad credit, you may want to contact your local consumer
credit counseling agency to work on your credit issues before purchasing
a home.
Q: I hear about mortgage scams, how do I select a lender?
A: It is important to choose the right lender that will assist you in
obtaining the best terms and rates that you can qualify for. If you do not
know a lender, you may want to check with your bank or credit union. You
may also ask for a list of lenders participating in Orange County’s NSP
homebuyer assistance program.
Q: What type of mortgage should I get?
A: By the time you have signed the sales contract, you should have a
clear idea of what type of financing you are using to purchase the home.
There are many types of mortgage loans available but you may want to
consider an FHA loan. NSP does not allow subprime loans or loans that do
not conform to financial industry standards. NSP does now allow ARMs,
interest only loans, and other alternative loans.
Q: Can a family member or relative that is not a spouse,
purchase the home with me?
A: Yes, if the family member or relative is part of your household.
However, they will be subject to the same income eligibility criteria
and qualification process (your relative cannot own real estate property
and your combined income cannot exceed the maximum income guidelines of
the program).
Q: What do I need to take with me when I apply for a
mortgage?
A: You should have: 1) your social security number (you will also
need your spouse or relative’s social security number, if you are
purchasing and applying for the loan with him/her); 2) copies of your
checking and savings account statements for the past 6 months; 3)
evidence of any other assets like bonds or stocks; 4) a recent paycheck
stubs detailing your earnings; 5) a list of all credit card accounts and
the approximate monthly amounts owed on each; 6) a list of account
numbers and balances due on outstanding loans, such as car loans; 7)
copies of your last 2 years' income tax statements (preferably 3 years);
and 8) the name and address of someone who can verify your employment.
Depending on your lender, you may be asked to provide additional
information.
Q: I am convinced that I want to buy an NSP home, where do I
start?
A: Once you have decided to become a homeowner and take advantage of
what NSP has to offer. It is important to be familiar with the home
buying process. A home buying class is required for all NSP homebuyers,
including those who have already own a home in the past. Additional
information about the NSP home buying process can be found on our
website at:
www.ocfl.net/nsp
