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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2017)
14 Wednesday, March 15, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Down payment assistance programs By Matt Ingram Correspondent The single largest obstacle for most potential homebuyers is the down payment. Most homebuyers and their real estate agents may not be aware of the wide range of DPA (down pay- ment assistance) programs available for use nowadays. These down payment assis- tance programs range in forms of grants (which don’t need to be repaid) to low cost down payments of just 3 per- cent. The grants can be used to help cover the required down payment or closing costs. These programs are not limited to first-time home- buyers as some have been led to believe. Most of these programs do have some kind of income and or sales price limitations. The income lim- its are set by HUD guide- lines and most buyers find they fall within the ceiling limitations. According to the latest data, the national average down payment assistance is $7,333. This figure would cover the minimum down payment requirement of a home valued at nearly $245,000. The program could help turn many renters into buyers of homes. If you don’t qualify for a grant pro- gram the next best alternative is the 3 percent down pay- ment program. Most homes in Central Oregon qualify for this little down payment program. While talking about down payment programs, it would be remiss not to mention the USDA loan program. This program allows for a zero down payment and is spe- cific to certain areas within Central Oregon. The biggest problem with these programs is lack of knowledge. It does not hurt to find out if you can take advantage of the assis- tance. You may not qual- ify, but it’s worth a look and may help your fam- ily get out of the “rental nightmare.” Habitat lobbies representatives Representatives from Sisters Habitat for Humanity ventured to Salem March 2 to advocate with their state representatives for resources to be allocated for affordable homeownership and repairs. Executive Director Sharlene Weed, Board President Clark Brody, and Habitat homeowner Robin Tawney attended the advo- cacy day and were able to meet with six state repre- sentatives including John Huffman, Gene Whisnant, and Tim Knopp. “It is always exciting to visit the Capital and partici- pate in the legislative process. This was the third year we have attended and we actually greeted many of our legisla- tors like old friends. I hope we were able to garner their support for affordable hous- ing,” Brody said. The advocacy day was coordinated through Habitat for Humanity of Oregon, a state support organization, which provides fundrais- ing, training, technical assis- tance, and advocacy to 30 Oregon Habitat for Humanity affiliates. More than 40 Habitat PHOTO PROVIDED Sisters Habitat visits Salem yearly to keep housing issues on the legislative radar. supporters met in 60 legisla- tive sessions and asked for the This was the third creation of a new revolving loan fund that will increase year we have attended the production of affordable homes for first-time buyers and we actually greeted who have completed home- buyer education and demon- many of our legislators strated their ability to repay like old friends. a mortgage. It was asked that $25 million be invested to I hope we were able to seed the fund. In addition, Habitat for garner their support for Humanity joined with other housing organizations to pro- affordable housing. mote additional legislative ini- tiatives to increase affordable — Clark Brody housing options in the state. rking wo od Wo k ee Cr ng ri Sp FINEFURNITURE Adam Bronstein, Cra sman Beds Desks Dining Tables Blanket Chests Chest of Drawers Hall Tables Coff ee Tables By Commission i 541-410-1309 SpringCreekWoodworking.com Adam Brontstein brings a profound love of wood and an old-school commitment to craft to his furniture-making with Spring Creek Woodworking. “I enjoy working with people and seeing their vision through,” he says. He is perhaps best-known in Sisters for his din- ing room tables, but his favorite projects are intri- cate, challenging, free-standing furniture pieces like standing cabinets. A native of New England, he has a stock of east- ern hardwoods that offer a special kind of beauty. “I bring out the beauty in wood, “ he says. “I work with hardwoods, so there’s more character and color and figuring in the wood.” Spring Creek Woodworking offers refined, artistic work of lasting value. “Part of my mission is to provide quality, afford- able furniture that lasts a lifetime,” he says. “It’s true that they don’t make it like they used to. Buying a handcrafted piece of furniture is practicing sustainability.” Save Money With Sister s Ace Hardware Drip & Underground Sisters Ace Hardware is a woman-owned, family-operated hardware store that lives out the Irrigation small-town values of family, community, and help- We’ve got everything home- owners and contractors need Expanded selection of drip & underground irrigation brands & products Sisters 541-549-8011 373 E. Hood Ave. Open Every Day ing your neighbor. Each spring we shift our focus from snow shov- els to irrigation in an effort to supply everyone with what they need to fight the upcoming hot days of summer. With both do-it-yourself homeowners and contractors in mind we have expanded our lines of drip and underground irrigation supplies. Whether it’s new installation or fixing an old sys- tem, we carry a wide variety of brands and prod- ucts to make sure we have just what you need. Sisters Ace Hardware is always the place to turn when you need knowledgeable advice on how best to approach your next project, indoors or out, in any season. Save yourself the trip to the big box store — Sisters Ace Hardware has what you need, or they can order it in a hurry.
