Happy New Year! This year we all learned, you need to be happy where you live. Throughout 2020 the home sales market continued to thrive, unceasing into 2021. Our home sales market is still at a great momentum, with no signs of it slowing down. The Covid pandemic has not hurt our home sales market and people are still continuing to move into the area. Many Hurricane Michael damaged homes are still being settled and coming available on the market. With the new year, has come some new changes from USDA. The $0 down USDA rural development home loan has changed some of the location eligibility areas.
As the Covid pandemic has impacted our community, Realtors have been dedicated to honoring the requests of buyers and sellers during the process of buying or selling a home. Local companies, home owners, and agents have taken precautions and requests for showing homes to each customer. Sanitizing has become normalized between each interaction. Often online there will be virtual tours to view a homes without entering. Although, physically seeing a home is always best and advised before writing a contract on a home, video has been a great tool for a buyer to get an idea of the interior layout that photos do not always show. Masks are often worn at showings, and some sellers have requested gloves and/or booties for shoes. I always am as respectful as I can be to the seller and honor each request. Buyers are given notice of any requirements of PPE to be used during a showing and are provided PPE required if needed.
Over 2 years after Hurricane Michael, many home owners are still fighting with insurance companies. As owners settle their claims more homes are coming on the market. If you are looking for your next flip, or looking for a damaged home to repair keep an eye out. Your dream home may come available! Please contact me to be put on my list for these type of homes as soon as they come available on the market. Whether looking to purchase with cash or need a ‘fix and flip lender’ to purchase these type of homes, I can you with both. If you are looking to sell your damaged home, please contact me so we can discuss options. I am available to give you a free estimate for sale value damaged and/or ARV (estimated after repair value).
USDA has made a few changes to their eligibility map, taking some areas away and adding others. Included in the eligible areas are homes in Panama City, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Southport, and some of Panama City Beach. Being authentically rural the following areas are still included in the eligible locations: Youngstown, Fountain, Chipley, Bonifay, Alford and others. This loan is $0 down with a low interest rate. The USDA loan is also based on income and family size. I would be happy to help direct you to a lender who can help and I am very familiar with these type of home loans for your home purchase. This loan can not be combined with any other type of loan, however I am happy to assist you and have experience with using FHA, VA, or Conventional type of financing loans.
Looking forward to a new year, I hope this year is one filled with loving memories. This year is a reminder, that there is no place like Home. Wherever that is, I hope to help you achieve your own real estate goals in 2021. Please contact me if I may be able to help you.