HARBEL Housing Partnership
First-Time Home Buyers Settlement
& Mortgage Assistance Guide
Important Information
• Most of the settlement and mortgage assistance programs require
attendance at a home buyer workshop and one-on-one counseling before submitting
a contract offer. Additionally, if buying in Baltimore County, buyers
must attend an additional pre-settlement workshop, prior to submitting a contract
offer.
• Home buyers will receive an informational guide about the various assistance programs at the time of the home buyer workshop, along with the instructions for the pre-settlement workshop registration and an intake packet and document checklist that is required to complete prior to scheduling of the counseling session.
• The availability of funding for settlement and mortgage assistance is limited. The guidelines for these programs may change at any time.
• Definition of first-time home buyer -- cannot have previously owned a dwelling within the last three years. Exceptions may be granted for legal separation, finalized divorce or death of spouse and property no longer in your name.
• To be eligible, programs have specific household income guidelines -- see various websites for details. These details will be include in the informational guide provided at the home buyer workshop.
Home Buyer Workshop Registration: buyers must call our office to register for the initial home buyer workshop. Office hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- 410-444-9152.
Pre-settlement Workshop Registration: following completion of the home buyer workshop, buyers must call of office to register for the pre-settlement workshop. This workshop is a requirement for buyers in Baltimore County, but open to anyone.
Counseling Appointments: Counseling appointments are only scheduled after the buyer has submitted a completed intake packet and photocopies of all required documents by mail or drop-off at our office. After a member of our staff has reviewed the intake packet and documents, the buyer will be contacted to schedule the counseling or notify the buyer of missing information.
Contact Information Regarding Settlement & Mortgage Assistance Options in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
State-Wide Programs
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s First-Time Home Buyer Program (FHP)
$7,500 settlement assistance / down payment loan program for first-time
home buyers. New funds are available after January 1 every year. Workshop
attendance and counseling are required. Funds are available only through
a participating bank, savings & loan
or credit union. Buyers must use a participating member bank, savings & loan,
or credit union. Lender will order the funds for the buyer.
State of Maryland's Programs • 1-800-638-7781
See
www.mmprogram.com for
specific education and counseling requirements, income guidelines and maximum
purchase price for each jurisdiction, listing of housing counseling agencies,
and participating lenders.
DSELP, House Keys 4 Employees and Smart Keys 4 Employees Program
Baltimore County Programs
Baltimore County - Office of Community Conservation - Housing Opportunities
Program • 410-887-3124
www.baltimorecountymd.gov
Baltimore County SELP – $10,000 settlement expense
loan program
Baltimore County MALP – Up to $25,000 settlement
and mortgage assistance loan program
Funding is limited and available only in designated communities. Two
workshops and counseling are required prior to submitting a contract offer.
Baltimore City Programs
Baltimore City CDBG • 410-396-3124
www.baltimorehousing.org
Funding is limited. Workshops and counseling are required prior to submitting
a contract offer.
Healthy Neighborhoods Program • 410-396-3124
www.baltimorehousing.org
Check website for details and current participating neighborhoods.
City Employee Program • 410-396-3124
www.baltimorehousing.org
Check website for details. Workshop and Counseling are required before
contract.
Buy into Baltimore Fairs • 410-637-3750
www.livebaltimore.com
Check website for details. Workshop and Counseling are required before
contract.