Friday, June 8, 2012

A Client Shares His Experience With the Stuart Epstein Team

My experience with Carrollton Bank regarding my mortgage was more than just professional; it was exceptional. I have worked with larger financial institutions in the past with mortgage products, and you feel like a number in a queue rarely speaking with the same person twice. I even had a lender tried to rip me off. My experience with Stuart, Jen and Robert could not have been more different.

I was to close on my house by the end of June, and things fell through with the lender I was working with over a paperwork discrepancy. In a near panic that resulted in coffee being spilled on several of my documents when I arrived on their doorstep, Stuart and Jen took me in, and calmed me down. I explained the situation, and they assured me that things were doable. There may have even been ice cream cake, although I am not sure if that was for all new customers or if I was just at the right place at the right time! Once I was under their care things moved quickly, and they did what was needed to get the loan through under a very tight schedule in a very busy time period.

I cannot thank them enough for what they were able to do for me and in the time frame in which they did it. My new house was only possible because of their team, and I will certainly work with them in the future.

Thanks guys!
Matt Folley

Friday, June 1, 2012

Newest CDA Programs!

For June Homeownership Month:

  • The Save-A-Home Loan Program (formerly the Homeward Bound Program) is offering reduced interest rates for short sales and non-DHCD-owned foreclosures for reservations made on or after 10:00 a.m. on May 31, 2012 through June 30, 2012.
In Non-Targeted Areas:
o The interest rate will be .75% below the regular Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) non-targeted interest rate, with a floor of 3.25% (APR 4.082%).

In Targeted Areas:
o The interest rate will be 2.875% (APR 3.675%).

  • $30 Million Targeted Areas Initiative:
o Interest rate of 2.875% (APR 3.675%)
o Effective for loans reserved on or after 10:00 a.m. on May 31, 2012 and continuing until the allocated funds have been expended.
o Additional incentives and resources offered by the following partners can be combined with MMP loans and benefits to maximize savings for homebuyers in Baltimore City. The partnership of State and City allows for the best homeownership initiative and lowest interest rates in the history of the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP).
>> Baltimore City Housing Authority has a Vacants-to-Value initiative, which can include significant downpayment assistance. Click here to go to the Baltimore City website for more information.
Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc. (HNI) helps strong but undervalued neighborhoods increase home values, market their communities, create high standards for property improvement and build strong connections among neighbors. HNI offers two major home buying programs.
>> The Healthy Neighborhoods Loan Program offers low-interest loans to acquire/rehab, refinance/rehab, or make home improvements to residential property. Incentives include a 3% down payment, loan amounts up to 110% of after-rehab value, no private mortgage insurance, and free design advice.
>> The Neighborhood Stabilization Program offers:

1) $6,000 in closing cost assistance when purchasing a home that is fully renovated by an approved developer partners; and
2) $25,000 to purchase a foreclosed, abandoned or short-sale property in a targeted neighborhood.

More information on Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc., can be found on www.healthyneighborhoods.org.
Live Baltimore is the most comprehensive organization focused on Baltimore City Living. It aims to market the City of Baltimore as a great place to live and grow the city's population. Live Baltimore offers numerous education and marketing outreach to the public and details can be found on the organization’s website, www.livebaltimore.com .

You do not need to be a first-time homebuyer to purchase in Targeted Areas.
DON’T FORGET OUR DOWNPAYMENT AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSE PROGRAM! For more information, contact us. Partner Match Programs can qualify for these incentives, too!