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Bad News for First Time Buyers in Washington

By
Mortgage and Lending with Peoples Bank NMLS 500247

Affordable Housing in Washington was dealt a serious blow this week when the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) issued a statement announcing the restriction of funds for their popular House Key program.  We have put a lot of first-timers into homes in recent years with this great program, but apparently some other state agencies have used up all the available bond money for other programs.

According to the announcement there is some hope that the full funding may return in the fall.  We sure hope so. In the meantime, they have lowered the income limits on who can qualify to 80% of the Counties median income.

One positive and timely note, I understand the US Senate is going to try to push through a bill next week expanding FHA paramaters to allow for 100% financing, that would sure help. 

 

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AZ Mortgage Broker: Michael George
Arizona Wholesale Mortgage Inc. - Phoenix, AZ
AZ Mortgage Rates

Wow.  That's really too bad.

I understand the same thing about the FHA.  In addition, I understand that they are coming out with a foreclosure buyout program for those in subprime loans.

Apr 25, 2007 04:37 PM
Darel Ansley
Peoples Bank - Wenatchee, WA

Yes,

This was a great program; the crazy thing is, the process a state agency has to go through to issue  Federal Tax-exempt bonds has got to be a long process involving a ton of checks and reviews. You would think someone would have figured out in advance that the state was bumping up against its limit.  Oh well, that's one more reason you and I don't have government jobs.

Apr 26, 2007 04:12 AM
Geordie Romer
Windermere Real Estate / NCW - Leavenworth, WA
Serving Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee, and Plain

This is bad news. The House Key program really helped get first time homebuyers into homes and I think in our area helped them get decent housing as opposed to the cheapest available housing. Let's hope this is a temporary setback.

 

Apr 26, 2007 09:45 AM