I just received notice from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission that they will stop accepting reservations for the House Key Opportunity program effective October 15, 2014 at 4:00 pm. Reserving funds is essentially locking the loan and committing to delivering the transaction to WSHFC. Reservations cannot be done unless there is a bona fide transaction with a closing date that will meet the delivery date of the reservation (lock period).
House Key Opportunity aka Washington State Bond Mortgage Program ending soon
October 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Seattle Home Buyer Education Class on November 8, 2014
September 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment
NOTE: This class has been rescheduled for another date and location.
I will be teaching a home buyer class in Seattle with Jim Repppond of Coldwell Banker Danforth on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Greenwood Library in Seattle.
The class is sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Students who attend are eligible for programs like Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity (the Washington state bond program) or Freddie Mac Home Possible. Students are also eligible for various down payment assistance programs and MCC (mortgage credit certificates).
It’s Official: Washington State Bond Mortgage Program has funds!
April 30, 2014 by 13 Comments
I just received the official announcement that House Key Opportunity (aka the Washington State Bond program) will start accepting reservations (locks) tomorrow, May 1, 2014.
The state bond program offers below market interest rates to home buyers who have household incomes limited to 80% or lower of the HUD’s income limits. In King County, a family of four would qualify for this program if their household income is $63,900 or lower. House Key will allow credit scores of 620 or higher – there may be additional credit score or income limits with combined down payment assistance programs.
UPDATE 5/30/2014: Income limits above are for when home buyers do not use a down payment assistance program in conjunction with House Key Opportunity state bond program. Income limits for the Seattle – King County area are $90,000 for a 1-2 family home or $97,000 for a 3+ family home.
Burien Home Buyer Class on May 10, 2014
April 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The next home buyer education class that I’m teaching is coming up on Saturday, May 10th, 2014 at the Burien Library. Ira Sacharoff, Real Estate Broker with Better Properties Real Estate is my fellow instructor.
The class is sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Students who attend are eligible for programs like Home Advantage, House Key (state bond) or Home Possible as well as various down payment assistance programs and MCC (mortgage credit certificates) tax credits.If you are considering buying a home with your spouse, partner or friend, they need to attend the class too in order to qualify for programs. You do not need to be a first time home buyer to qualify for many of these programs. And you’re welcome to attend if you’re just interested in learning more about the process.
NEWS FLASH: House Key Opportunitiy Program is no longer available
June 26, 2013 by 1 Comment
I just received this message from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission regarding the state bond program “House Key Opportunity”:
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING HOUSE KEY OPPORTUNITY
We have been informed by our investment bankers that due to market conditions, we can no longer offer a 2.5% (government) and 2.75% (conventional) interest rate for the House Key Opportunity Program. As of June 25, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. we will no longer be taking House Key Opportunity Program reservations. All existing House Key Opportunity Program reservations will be honored.
House Key Opportunity – Washington State Bond Mortgage Program
April 17, 2013 by 5 Comments
UPDATE MAY 1, 2014: FUNDS ARE BACK FOR HOUSE KEY ARE BACK – AND ARE LIMITED.
House Key Opportunity is a mortgage program offered by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. House Key Opportunity is probably the program you’ve heard about when someone mentions “state bond” mortgages. This program offers below market mortgage rates for a select group of home buyers and is often combined with a WSHFC second mortgage for down payment assistance. The rates are only available until the funds reserved for the program run out.
Here’s a quick review of House Key Opportunity:
- Borrowers must be first time home buyers (or have not owned a home in the last three years) unless you’re buying in a “targeted area”.
- Income limits apply based on the size of the household with the first mortgage. Additional income restrictions may apply with the DPA (down payment assistance) second mortgage.
- Maximum acquisition cost applies based on county.
- Home buyers must attend a WSFHC approved class.
- Property must remain owner occupied or recapture tax applies.
- Properties must have an inspection unless a 1 year warranty is provided by the builder.
The House Key Opportunity Program with down payment assistance programs are available to borrowers who meet specific program requirements. Amounts and terms of the DPA vary with each program. The second mortgage programs listed below may also be used with a Home Advantage first mortgage and are provided based on need. Not all of the DPAs listed below have constant funding so availability may be limited.
- The HomeChoice Program: eligible borrowers must have a qualifying disability or have a family member with a qualified disability living with them. Maximum DPA is $15,000.
- House Key Schools: borrower must be an employee of an accredited or state recognized K-12, public or private school including community and technical schools. Max DPA is up to $10,000.
- House Key Veterans: eligible borrowers are veterans who received an honorable discharge and include members and honorably discharged former members of the Washington national guard and reserve or never remarried spouses and dependent/children of deceased veterans. Max DPA is $10,000.
- New Home for You: available to first time home buyers (or targeted area) meeting criteria and buying a never occupied new construction home. This program is only available with a House Key first mortgage and requires credit scores of 680 or higher. Max DPA is $10,000.
- House Key Plus ARCH: first time home buyers must be purchasing a home in designated areas of east King County. Max DPA is up to $30,0000.
Home Advantage Rebound: the home being purchased must be bank owned, foreclosed or a short sale. Max DPA is up to $10,000
Home buyers seeking down payment assistance, who do not want to buy in a targeted area or who are not first time home buyers or who do not meet the specific needs criteria, may opt for WSFHC Home Advantage Program.
For current rates on House Key Opportunity and more information about this program, click here.
As a Washington State Housing Finance Commissioned trained Loan Officer, I’m pleased to offer both House Key Opportunity and Home Advantage mortgage programs. Here as a list of WSHFC classes where I will be one of the instructors.
If I can help you with your home purchase or refinance on property located anywhere in Washington, please contact me.
More options for Washington home buyers
April 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Yesterday I was “in class” at the Washington State Housing Finance Commission learning about programs they have to offer Washington home buyers, including down payment assistance programs.
In order to obtain the down payment assistance, you must use a WSHFC first mortgage product, which includes:
- Home Advantage
- House Key Opportunity (limited funds – state bond). UPDATE: As of June 26, 2013 – this program is not being offered by the Commission. Home Advantage is still available.
The first mortgages may be FHA, USDA, VA or conventional mortgages with private mortgage insurance.
The down payment assistance (DPA) is in the form of a second mortgage that have specific criteria home buyers must meet to qualify.
- Home Advantage DPA has an income limit of $97,000 and does not have a “needs assessment”.
- Commissioned Second Mortgage works with the House Key Opportunity and is available to home buyers with special needs.
Home buyers interested in either program must attend a 5 hour class in order to qualify for these programs. While at class yesterday, I also received training to be a “Commission trained instructor”.
Watch for more details to follow soon!
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