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Join Our List
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BEAT THE RUSH!
Call now to register for the First Time
Home buyer Classes.
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ACT NOW!
FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION COUNSELING
FREE OF CHARGE
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD, TELL A FRIEND IN NEED.
813-425-4847 X 303
nnobles@solitashouse.com
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We've Moved
Our new location is
1475 Tampa Park Plaza
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Greetings!
Happy Holidays. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and was able to give thanks for the many blessings in your life. We at Solita's House look forward to the new year and new endeavors and goals to reach. May this Holiday be filled with joy, love, peace, and positive spirits towards one another. We hope that as you celebrate in the festivities that you think of one another and YOUR BUDGET. Let's start 2010 renewed and ready to take control of your finances. THANK YOU TO METLIFE FOUNDATION FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO SOLITA'S HOUSE. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU ALSO GOES OUT TO KARIN KLAASSEN FOR HER CONTINUED SUPPORT AS ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS.
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Why attend a First Time Home buyer Class?
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 What's the big deal?
Many people have asked us "why is it that our First Time Home buyer Classes are 20 hours and not 8 hours." We encounter potential home buyers wanting to close on their home within a month or sooner and their lender or someone helping them purchase, "one of their biggest investments ever", asking them to take a "quick" one day, couple of hours First Time Home buyer Class. It's usually because " the mortgage loan program" requires it.
Through our many years of conducting the First Time Home buyer classes we decided, from the beginning, that we needed the classes to be at least 20 hours, to ensure that we as an agency went above and beyond our mission in educating potential home buyers. Far too many times have we encountered potential home buyers that, even after taking an eight hour home buyer class still was very lost with the process and could potentially loose thousands of dollars. Therefore the questions now are directed back at you.
- Who buys something without knowing nothing about it?
- What is the difference between an affordable home mortgage vs. a home mortgage?
- What is considered affordable ratios?
- Can you determine your housing and debt to income ratio?
- What is PMI, GFE, TIL, closing costs, down payment?
- What is the difference between FHA and a conventional loan?
- What's the difference between a floating interest rate and a fixed interest rate?
- Can you name two other down payment assistance programs besides the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County?
- What income is used by the lender when determining your loan mortgage amount?
- What is universal default?
Ok, so if you were NOT able to answer ALL the above questions CORRECTLY without the assistance of a housing professional, you should be calling us RIGHT NOW. Being empowered and knowledgeable about the home buying process is PRICELESS and the best defense against foreclosure.
I can go on and write about our classes and how we teach, but I think it's better explained when a past participant writes about it.
"This class has given a very detailed account of all aspects of the homebuying process. The instruction was given is an easy to understand language. Many tips of cost savings and credit preparedness. I would highly refer other to this course."
J. Moore- participant
"I received a lot more than what I was expecting. I knew that it was very important about buying a house and I needed to be armed with the knowledge to not get into a house that I would be forced out shortly after. This class has given me confidence to be able to make an intelligent decision. This class was realistic and calmed the emotions down so that I can make a rational decision."
I. Bostic- participant
So, why 20 hours and not 8? It's a matter of becoming the most equipped and most knowledgeable so YOU make all the right decisions when it comes to one of "the biggest investments we will make in our life." We look forward to educating you in the home buying process and assisting you in becoming mortgage ready. Call us for more information 813-425-4847 x 302.
Warm regards,
Aidza Antonio
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President Obama extends the Homebuyer Tax Credit
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 New deadline is April 30, 2010
The homebuyer tax credit was extended as part of the $24 billion economic stimulus bill. To be eligible you must not have owned a principal residence during the three year period prior to the purchase and you must be a US citizen who files taxes.
The tax credit has income limits therefore make sure you double check with your accountant and do your research to make you qualify. The effective dates of the credit is for homes purchased after November 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010. However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010, will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010. For more information visit www.nahb.org or irs.gov.
The City of Tampa still has available the Tampa Homeownership Opportunity Program (THOP) for anyone interested in using the tax credit funds to assist you with the purchase of the house. Remember you are only eligible to apply for the tax credit ONCE you are a homowner, not before. The THOP program allows the City to lend you up to the $8000 for your purchase with a stipulation that you attend a First Time Homebuyer Class, meet program requirements and repay the loan. Please call the City of Tampa Housing and Community Development 813-274-7954 for more information. Beat the rush, sign up now for our First Time Homebuyer Education Classes for January 2010. Call us at 813-425-4847 x 302 or email gdiaz@solitashouse.com.
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"Ways to Save" Contest Winner
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Congratulations to Johnny Ward for submitting his tip on saving money. Johnny suggested that you "take day showers with the lights off and unplug everything except your
refrigerator during the day when not home and at night while sleep."
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