Local Realtor says â??donâ??t believe all you hear in the news, Houston is selling housesâ?

 

Sylvia Reyes, a local real estate agent for the past 7 years has been very busy these days â?? selling houses. â?I tell my friends and family, â??donâ??t believe everything you hear in the news about Houston not selling homes or having no money to loanâ??; I personally have closed 6 contracts this month and Iâ??m very busyâ?. Reyes works both residential and commercial real estate and admits to having seen healthier days in her past; â??but today is another day she says, I cannot understand why the local media does not do a better job of reporting the positive events in our City. There are so many wonderful things happening and yet we continue to hear the sky is fallingâ?.  â??I cannot afford to get discouragedâ? said Reyes; â??and besides there are still many families who are looking to purchase a home. Some of the people I work with are in a relocation situation and others are adults in their mid thirtyâ??s with small familiesâ?.

 

Reyes has refocused her sales strategy to work with available resources like the City of Houston down-payment assistance program. â??I just put a single mother into a brand new three bedroom, two car garage home in Sunnyside Estates located off Hwy. 288; the builder designed a wonderful bathroom with separate shower and a large backyardâ?. â??It was priced at $116,000â? offered Reyes â??and she was able to get in with zero down, financed $86,000 and walked away with a $586.00 house note to include taxes and insuranceâ?.  She then added, â??now for new a construction 3-bedroom home, close to the medical center I would say she got herself a great buyâ? said Reyes.

 

According to Reyes, Mayor White has designated eight neighborhoods as target revitalization zones; â??the Mayor intends to revive community living back into these areas; consequently increased police officer patrols are in the area in an effort to prevent crimeâ?.    

 

â??Out of my seven contracts I only had one fall through and that was because the approved buyer decided to go out and purchase a new vehicle; which disqualified her debt to income ratioâ?.  She goes on to say â??nowadays down payment assistance is the way to go for first time homebuyer; the money available from the city makes a huge difference in becoming a homeownerâ?, and said Reyes, â?? I also try to remind buyers that December 1st is the deadline to get the additional home buying tax credit of $8,000â?.

 

If you have a question for Reyes, email her or contact her at 832-330-0514.

 

A brief highlight on available programs from the City of Houston:

 

Option 1 â?? HAP â?? Housing Assistance Program – Buy anywhere in the City and get up to $19,500 in free down payment assistance

In order to qualify you must purchase a home under $135,000

The home must be located within a city tax zone (you can check the address of the home you are interested in purchasing by going to HCAD to ensure it pays City taxes)

You must meet income ratios based on the number of persons in your household

 

 

Option 2 â?? Good Neighbor Next Door â?? Buy in one of eight designated Communities and get up to $37,500 in free down payment assistance

You must live in the home for at least ten years

In order to qualify you must purchase a home under $135,000

You must meet income ratios based on the number of persons in your household

You must purchase your home in Sunnyside Estates, Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Trinity Gardens, Settegast, Near North side, 5th Ward, Denver Harbor or Clinton Park.

 

 

Option 3 â?? Workforce Housing â?? If your income level is higher (up to $49,156.00) you can also qualify for up to $37,500 in free down payment assistance

You must purchase the home within one mile of the eight designated communities

The home must be $150,000 or less

You must live in the home for at least ten years

 

Some of the Builders who are working with these City programs are

Majestic Homes

Trophy Homes

Mayberry Homes

Bainbridge Home

Burghli Homes

Berkley Homes

Lazar Homes

Chesmar Homes

Image Builders

Star Builders

 

Applicant(s) combined annual household income must be at or below the amounts listed in the Household Income Limits to qualify for HAP funds. Below is a listing of Houstonâ??s area median income percentages and the level of assistance HAP will provide. * $39,900 for police officers, fire fighters, and teachers.

 

In all three programs – you must be able to qualify for the loan.

 

 

2009 Household Income Limits

Family Size 80% of the Area Median Income

1) $35,750

2) $40,850

3) $45,950

4) $51,050

5) $55,150

6) $59,200

7) $63,300

$67,400