The Poinciana Crane

Your Credit Direct

Since June 2005, Florida residents have been entitled to one free Personal Credit Report every 12-month period under the FACT Act amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You can order yours online at www.annualcreditreport.com, a secure web site, or you can order yours direct from each of the three main credit bureaus. Following are the centers that serve the Poinciana area:

Experian

Credit Data Services

2500 Maitland Center Pkwy, Suite 230

Maitland, FL  32751

888-397-3742

www.experian.com  

 

Equifax

Equifax Credit Info. Svs.

PO Box 740256

Atlanta, GA  30374

800-685-1111

www.equifax.com  

 

One-Stop Shop Stops Creditor Junk Mail

If you are one of those with improving credit, you've probably noticed an increase in the amount of junk mail you receive from credit card companies, mortgage and car companies, or almost anyone trying to sell your good credit to the devil.  If you've said, "Enough!" then consider calling:

888-567-8688

By calling this one number, you can have your good name removed from creditor marketing lists.  If you've suffered from identity theft, calling this number is a great way to help ensure your credit safety.

Two More on Downpayment Assistance

If you're looking to buy in Poinciana, two more down payment assistance programs to consider:

• Orange County Housing Finance Authority: Offers up to $10,000 in down payment.  It is available for Osceola County home.  They feature 30-year fixed rate programs for maximum sales price of $304,875.
• Florida Housing Finance Corporation: Provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance and offers below-market interest rate for fist-time home buyers.

The SHIP Arrives in Osceola

Osceola County has a downpayment assistance program, although only available for eligible first-time homebuyers.  It's called SHIP and stands for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership.  From helping buyers to find homes who were qualified through this program, I heard that it is not a difficult program to understand nor too difficult to complete.  And for upwards of $69,900, it's likely to be worth your time.  Maximum sales price is $240,000 within Kissimmee city limits, which includes both sides of Poinciana.

Nehemiah Helps First & Repeat Home Buyers

Nehemiah is a non-profit corporation specializing in homeownership, affordable housing, and community development. They can help you with:

• Gift funds up to 6% of the final contract sales towards your downpayment and/or closing costs
• Gift funds for both first time and repeat homebuyers
• Gift funds for both new construction and resale homes
• No repayment of gift money
• No income or asset limits

If you are a qualified homebuyer using an eligible loan program, such as an FHA loan, you may be able to move into your new home with zero cash out of pocket!  Call Darhlene at (407) 738-8042 for help with applying for the Nehemiah program.

Teachers Buying Homes

HOME Investment Partnerships Act, you may find assistance if you are a teacher. If you are a teacher and are looking for assistance buying a home in Poinciana, look no further than the Florida teacher downpayment assistance programThen call me, Poinciana's premier real estate agent for the best deal in the area.

Loans for Veteran’s

Interest rates have not been this low since the last century! Now's the time to buy, especially in Florida. If you served in the U.S. military some time in your past, did you know that you might be qualified to obtain a VA loan to buy a home? Contact the VA or go to their website to request a Certificate of Eligibility. Then call your Poinciana Realtor.®

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Loan Center 9500 Bay Pines Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33708 (Mail:  P.O. Box 1437, St. Petersburg, FL 33731) http://www.vba.va.gov/ro/south/spete/rlc/index.htm

1-888-611-5916 (out of state) 1-800-827-1000 (in FL)