Need an FHA 203K Contractor in New York?

You may find the home of your dreams, but the home may be in need of some work. With an FHA rehab/ restoration mortgage, you will have one loan which includes the mortgage and the cost of repairs combined!

The mortgage amount is based on the projected value of the property after the work is completed, taking into account the cost of the work. The advantage of this loan is that you can buy a home that needs a lot of work, or even minor improvements, and you still have only one mortgage payment including money for repairs.

Finding a general contractor/certified restorer who is familiar with the 203k process can be a challenge, since there are many requirements related to a 203k loan.  Advanced Restoration Corporation has been servicing Long Island for 20 years and is very familiar with the 203K requirements.

Similar to a traditional mortgage with a construction loan added on top, the 203k can be used for the following:

*Remodeling bathrooms and kitchens (even built-in appliances)

*Replacing a roof, gutters and downspouts

*Adding a second story, afamily room,another bath, etc.

*Completing a basement or attic

*Upgrading plumbing, heating, air conditioning or electrical service

*Installing new siding, energy efficient windows and doors

AND MUCH MORE!
 
For more information on having Advanced Restoration partner with you, please contact Gay Matzelle at (516) 903-4107. Be sure to watch our 203K video...NBC News4 New York 203K featuring Advanced Restoration and Continental Home Loans! 
 
 

Your HUD Home can be Your Dream Home

If you are thinking about buying a REO property that needs repair, FHA's 203(k) rehabilitation loan or it's simplified alternative, the Streamlined(k) may be a good option for you. FHA's simplified Streamlined(k) program for small-scale repairs is the perfect option for most HUD REO sales. For the major repairs & more complicated renovation plans, the Standard 203(k) program is the option.

HUD Homes, like the majority of property re-sales, require some level of repair. FHA's Streamlined (k) program allows the buyer to finance both the purchase and the cost of minor repairs and/or upgrades through a single mortgage. While there is no cap on repairs for the Standard 203(k), the Streamlined (k) allows for repairs from $1 up to $35,000.

For the Streamlined(k) option, homebuyers identify their repair needs, which may include: new carpet; interior and exterior paint; new appliances; kitchen or bathroom remodel; exterior landscaping and other minor improvements.

A realtor or FHA approved lender will be able to answer specific questions about the Standard and Streamlined 203(k) loan program. To find out more, visit HUD's website.  

Advanced Restoration is an experienced 203(k) Contractor in New York and was featured on NBC News4 New York.

  

FHA 203(k) Loans Featured on NBC News4 New York!

NBC Reporter Lynda Baquero and 

Gary Matzelle from Advanced Restoration Corp.

On Monday, October 5th, NBC News4 New York featured a story on FHA 203k loans.  The  parties interviewed included Advanced Restoration Corporation, Continental Home Loans and a homeowner from Suffolk County, New York.

The homeowner in this story utilized the 203k loan program to renovate a home (located in Medford, New York)  which needed $74,000 in repairs/restoration.  The Section 203(k) program is HUD's (Housing and Urban Development) primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single family properties.

With a 203k loan, the borrower can get just one mortgage loan, at a long-term fixed (or adjustable) rate, to finance both the acquisition and the rehabilitation of the property. To provide funds for the rehabilitation, the mortgage amount is based on the projected value of the property with the work completed, taking into account the cost of the work. 


To view this story, please click here.

For more information on FHA 203k loans in New York, please contact:

Advanced Restoration Corporation (203k Contractor):  
Gary Matzelle at (w) (800) 693-6263; (c) (516) 903-4107, 
or email Gary at:  gmatzelle@advancedrestoration.com

Continental Home Loans (FHA Approved Lender): 
Wendy Doerzbacher at (w) (631) 390-6176; (c) 516 982-6339, 
or email Wendy at:  wendyd@cccmtg.com

Why Renovate With a 203(k) Streamlined Rehab Loan?

Because You Can!

I'll keep this very brief...


You are purchasing a home that needs minor repairs (repairs under $35,000 qualify for a streamlined loan).  Incorporating the rehab into your mortgage payment allows you to have just one payment. Some highlights include:

• Loan amounts up to 110% of the home's appraised value; renovation amounts up to $35,000. 
• No work write-up, no inspection required if repairs are less than $15,000 and no HUD consultant required.
• There is no longer a minimum of $5,000 in repairs for a 203K Streamline.
• On a 203K Streamline, up to 50% of the rehab amount can be requested immediately following the closing. After closing the work can start.
• For a 203K Streamline, there is a maximum of 2 draws per contractor.
• Loan can be used for many improvements, including repair/replacement of:  roofs, plumbing, electrical, flooring, minor remodeling, windows, doors, etc.
• Available for mortgage refinance transactions including those where the property is owned free and clear.

203K Streamlined Loans are available through HUD approved lenders. For more information on how Advanced Restoration can be your 203k contractor, please contact Gary Matzelle at (516) 903-4107.

You are thinking about buying a home foreclosure on Long Island, but the properties you are looking at need serious rehabilitation.

What Can You Do?

You may want to apply for an FHA 203(k) restoration loan through an approved lender!
The purchase of a house that needs repair is often a catch-22 situation, because the bank won't lend the money to buy the house until the repairs are complete, and the repairs can't be done until the house has been purchased.

HUD's 203(k) program can help you overcome this obstacle by enabling you to purchase or refinance a property plus the cost of making the repairs and improvements in one mortgage. The FHA-insured 203(k) loan is provided through approved lenders nationwide and is available to persons wanting to occupy the home.

The downpayment requirement for an owner-occupant (or a nonprofit organization or government agency) is approximately 3.5% of the acquisition and repair costs of the property.

The 203(k) loan includes the following steps:
A potential homebuyer locates a fixer-upper and executes a sales contract after doing a feasibility analysis of the property with his/her real estate professional. The contract should state that the buyer is seeking a 203(k) loan and that the contract is contingent on loan approval based on additional required repairs by the FHA or the lender.

The homebuyer then selects an FHA-approved 203(k) lender and arranges for a detailed proposal showing the scope of work to be done, including a detailed cost estimate on each repair or improvement of the project.

The appraisal is performed to determine the value of the property after renovation. If the borrower passes the lender's credit-worthiness test, the loan closes for an amount that will cover the purchase or refinance cost of the property, the remodeling costs and the allowable closing costs. The amount of the loan will also include a contingency reserve of 10% to 20% of the total remodeling costs and is used to cover any extra work not included in the original proposal.

At closing, the seller of the property is paid off and the remaining funds are put in an escrow account to pay for the repairs and improvements during the rehabilitation period.The mortgage payments and remodeling begin after the loan closes. The borrower can decide to have up to six mortgage payments (PITI) put into the cost of rehabilitation if the property is not going to be occupied during construction, but it cannot exceed the length of time it is estimated to complete the rehab.

Escrowed funds are released to the contractor during construction through a series of draw requests for completed work. To ensure completion of the job, 10% of each draw is held back; this money is paid after the lender determines their will be no liens on the property. It is essential for a borrower to select a general contractor (restoration company) that is familiar with the 203k loan process, including the required forms and documents.

Streamlined 203k Loan
FHA's Streamlined 203(k) program permits homebuyers to finance up to an additional $35,000 into their mortgage to improve or upgrade their home before move-in. With this new product, homebuyers can quickly and easily tap into cash to pay for property repairs or improvements, such as those identified by a home inspector or FHA appraiser.
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Advanced Restoration Corporation is a full-service property restoration contractor with the ability and 203(k) knowledge to provide complete Rehabilitation & Restoration services to your new home or refinance! We service the New York Metro area (Nassau County, Suffolk County and the NY Boroughs).

For more information about 203(k) loans and mortgage professionals authorized to generate FHA 203(k) loans, please contact Gary Matzelle at (516) 903-4107.

203K Rehab Loan Q & A Summary

If you are thinking about purchasing a foreclosure in disrepair (needs rehabilitation), you should look into applying for an FHA 203k loan. The 203k program is HUD's primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single family properties. As such, it is an important tool for community and neighborhood revitalization and for expanding homeownership opportunities.

Listed below are some general questions & answers regarding 203k loans to help you better understand the 203k concept:

Is the Section 203(k) program restricted to single-family dwellings?

No. The program can be used for one-to-four unit dwellings. Maximum mortgage limitations are the same as for properties under Section 203(b).

Can Section 203(k) be used to improve a condominium unit?

Yes, however, condominium rehabilitation is subject to the following conditions:

A. Owner/occupant and qualified nonprofit borrowers only;
B. Rehabilitation is limited only to the interior of the unit. Mortgage proceeds are not to be used for the rehabilitation of exteriors or other areas which are the responsibility of the condominium association, except for the installation of firewalls in the attic for the unit;
C. Only the lesser of five units per condominium association, or 25 percent of the total number of units, can be undergoing rehabilitation at any one time;
D. The maximum mortgage amount cannot exceed 100 percent of the after-improved value. After rehabilitation is complete, the individual buildings within the condominium must not contain more than four units. By law, Section 203(k) can only be used to rehabilitate units in one-to-four unit structures. However, this does not mean that the condominium project, as a whole, can only have four units or that all individual structures must be detached.

Example: A project might consist of six buildings each containing four units, for a total of 24 units in the project and, thus, be eligible for Section 203(k). Likewise, a project could contain a row of more than four attached townhouses and be eligible for Section 203(k) because HUD considers each townhouse as one structure, provided each unit is separated by a 1 1/2 hour firewall (from foundation up to the roof). Similar to a project with a condominium unit with a mortgage insured under Section 234(c) of the National Housing Act, the condominium project must be approved by HUD prior to the closing of any individual mortgages on the condominium units.

Can a six (or more) unit building be done using the 203(k) program?

No. However, the building could be renovated and reduced to a four unit building.

Can nonresidential (storefront) property be eligible for a 203(k) insured loan?

Yes. Mixed-use residential property is acceptable provided the property has no greater than 25% (for a one story building); 33% (for a three story building); and 49% (for a two story building) of its floor area used for commercial (storefront) purposes. The rehab funds can only be used for the residential functions of the dwelling and areas used to access the residential part of the property.

Can HUD-owned properties be purchased using the 203(k) loan?

Yes. However, the property must be advertised that it is eligible for financing with a 203(k) loan. If the HUD-owned property is purchased with other funds, a 203(k) loan can be made after the property is in the buyers name. In this case, cash back will be allowed to the borrower for a period of six months from purchasing the HUD-owned property.

Can an investor use the 203(k) program?
No. In October, 1996, the Department placed a moratorium on investor participation in the 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Program.

Can a local government agency or a nonprofit organization use the 203(k) program?
Yes. The same qualification requirements will be used as for an owner-occupant of the property.

What is the definition of a First-Time Homebuyer?
A single person or an individual and his or her spouse who have not owned a home (as a tenant in common or as a joint tenant by the entirety) during the three years immediately preceding the date of application for the 203(k) loan. Any individual who is legally separated or divorced cannot be excluded from consideration, because the three-year waiting period does not apply, provided the individual no longer has an interest in the home.

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Advanced Restoration Corporation is a full-service restoration contractor with the ability and 203(k) knowledge to provide complete Rehabilitation & Restoration services to your new home!

For more information about 203(k) loans and mortgage professionals authorized to generate FHA 203(k) loans, please contact Gary Matzelle at (516) 903-4107, or Click Here.

203K Loans Made Simple? Yes, for Your Clients

Source: Colleen Craig

Santa Clarita, CAMore about Colleen…

Southern California Mortgage Professional

Office Phone: (661) 310-8536 Cell Phone: (661) 310-8536

Email Colleen
http://www.colleencraig.com

203k MADE SIMPLE?

Okay, maybe not, but I will attempt to make it as simple as possible for the client to understand and want to read on. For many of us in the business who are " in the know" we forget that we need to go back to the basics and spell it out in simple terms for others to understand. So I've compiled some information based on my most recent commonly asked questions just this week.

In Southern California, FHA loans were just not utilized over the past 10 or so years because of the FHA Maximum Mortgage limits But now that the limits have been increased and the prices have decreased, FHA loans have become the most utilized loan in recent months. HOWEVER, because it was not a popular loan, you would be amazed at how many lenders/brokers do not know what they are doing. Especially when it comes to the 203k loan.

I spoke to a client today that was given such mis-information it made me cringe. Apparently they told the client that 203k loans were no longer being done (Gee, you think it was after realizing that they had no idea what they were doing?) and they tried to flip them into another loan. This was after telling my client that their loan amount would be for the contract price and the extra money would just be separate and sit in an impound account to be disbursed over the next 6 months. Okay partially true, the extra amount would be in escrow to be disbursed as the remodel progressed, but for free? Who pays for the extra 50,000 dollars you just borrowed for repairs? Your loan amount is for the entire amount you are borrowing. Makes sense, right?

So what is a 203k loan and why use one?

When a buyer wants to buy a home that needs repairs utilizing FHA financing, normally the repairs would have to be completed prior to the close of escrow. The repairs would normally fall on the responsibility of the seller. With so many foreclosures in today's market, the bank is the seller. And many times the home in need of repair is listed "as is". Which in the past would require a cash buyer or conventional financing. This is another reason that people in the business decided to shy away from FHA loans. I believe it was pure ignorance of the programs that were available by the brokers and the realtors couldn't properly prepare their seller for what to expect that gave FHA loans a bitter taste. My associate Jeff Belonger said it best in his post about ignoring what your listing agent tells you about FHA loans

Here we go...."203k loans for dummies"

* 203k loans allow you to FINANCE the cost of the repairs in the new loan amount. (Not to exceed 110% of the after improved value determined by the appraiser and 203k consultant) What does this mean? I buy a house for 200,000 that needs 50,000 in repairs and I can borrow the extra 50,000? Too good to be true? NOPE. That's it in a nutshell....

Details please.........
* Down payment is based on the sale price PLUS the final cost of the repairs x 3.5% so for example:Sale price is 200,000 (DO not calculate 3.5% on this) PLUS 50,000 in repairs/costs (which includes certain costs and reserves the lender will require) 250,000 x 3.5%. Down payment is $8750.00 (closing costs are separate as usual)

* Buyer will hire (lender can recommend) a HUD approved FHA 203k Consultant to go to the property with the buyer to determine the required repairs and wish list repairs.The fee charged by the consultant can be included in the mortgage. The fee can range anywhere between $ 400 to $1200 depending on the repairs required. Please check with the consultant prior to scheduling your appointment.

*Buyer will obtain estimates from several licensed contractors for the work to be completed depending on how extensive the repairs.

Three estimates are recommended for each contractor but not necessary. The buyer can act as their own general contractor only if experienced and licensed. (FHA says experienced, but most investors require the buyer to be licensed) The contractors must provide documentation to be approved by the lender prior to approval.

The consultant will determine the "required" repairs versus the "wish list repairs". You must start with the required repairs and then move on from there for you wish list. This is an important step for the consultant and appraiser so that you don't over improve the home and exceed the comparable properties in the area.

* Once the consultant completes his report of required and wish list repairs, the lender will forward it to the appraiser for an "After Improved Value". This is where you may run into problems with OVER improving the property based on current values. Between the consultant, appraiser and buyer - the FINAL FINAL report will be tweeked to come up with a final report that the contractors will be hired to do.

* So now the file is submitted to underwriting and approved ( you need to qualify at the full amount you are borrowing of course, which may include your current mortgage payment for the home you will live in during the rehab period) and the normal steps for closing will occur.(BIG PLUS - you can include 6 months of mortgage payments in the new loan amount since it's assumed that you will have TWO housing payments during the rehabilitation of the new home. This money will be deducted each month during the reahab process) This is optional.* Closing occurs, and the work begins within 30 days of closing/funding. (This is when your mortgage payments start since this is when you started borrowing the money - however, if you included the 6 mths mtg payments, they will be deducted from escrow starting when your first payment is due)

* Disbursements are made throughout the following 6 months from the escrow account (normally 4 draws with one final inspection, but this can be increased for higher repair amounts) as the work is completed.

Remember you paid the seller for the price of the home, and then you borrowed an additional amount of X which is sitting in an escrow account to pay the contractors (your total loan is the total amount you borrowed)

Once the last disbursement is made and the final inspection showing COMPLETED AS PER THE CONTRACT........you are done! Simple as 1 2 3 - okay maybe not, but that's why having an experienced lender on your side is crucial!

There are specific properties and repair requirements for this type of loan, so please call me for specific details if this sounds like the right loan for your new home.Please send me your before and after pics! I would love to see them and maybe even post them for people to see what can be done with this awesome program! Or contact Colleen Craig FHA 203k Specialist for more detailsHappy Rehabbing!
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Advanced Restoration Corporation is a full-service restoration contractor with the ability and 203(k) knowledge to provide complete Rehabilitation & Restoration services to your new home!

For more information about 203(k) loans and mortgage professionals authorized to generate FHA 203(k) loans, please contact Gary Matzelle at (516) 903-4107.