As an Eglin AFB area agent who specializes in HAP listings, I frequently receive contracts from agents who are not familiar with the HAP program.  Since our Emerald Coast area is home to Air Force, Navy, Army and Marines at Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, Whiting Field and Camp Rudder, you will find several listings that are sale type “HAP” when searching the Emerald Coast MLS.

 If a HAP home seems right for your buyer, what do you do?

First, know what HAP means.  It is the Homeowners Assistance Program for the Department of Defense.  HAP helps military members who have orders to relocate, but own homes with negative equity, cover their mortgage losses in order to sell.  The HAP program was expanded in 2009 to help Wounded Warriors, Surviving Spouses, BRAC-impacted service members and PCSing service members.  If the service member qualifies, HAP will pay their mortgage deficit at closing.

How does HAP benefit your buyer? AP HExplain to your buyer why HAP is more favorable than buying a short sale. With HAP, the waiting time is normally 60 days for final approval, and 30 days to close. That is better than a short sale which could take 120 days or more for approval.  And most HAP sellers have been pre-approved for the HAP program, which  will save even more time.  (Ask the listing agent to find out.)

What do you put in the HAP contract?  Specify that it is “contingent on HAP approval”.  Use a date-certain closing date that is 60 days out.  I know, this seems to contradict that HAP wants 60 days for approval, but they also want a 60 day closing date written in the offer (not closing “within 30 days of HAP approval”).

Price?  HAP wants contracts that are near fair market value.  They will validate pricing through their internal system, and also via the listings agent’s market analysis.

Terms? HAP contracts should be “as is”.

Closing cost assistance?  HAP may pay some of the buyer’s closing costs. It depends on what type of HAP program the seller is using.  If it is a HAP GAPS (Government Assisted Private Sale), where the seller is getting a reimbursement, your buyer may not be able to get as much closing costs paid as a GA (Government Acquisition).    

What’s next? Depending on what type of HAP sale is best (GAPS or GA), HAP may replace your contract with a new one that is between the United States and your buyer.  If there is a replacement contract, your buyer can pick his own title agent. The U.S. will simultaneously buy the house from the seller and sell it to your buyer on the same day.

Finally – congratulations are in order!  You’ve found your buyer a new home in Crestview, Navarre, Fort Walton Beach or Destin Florida, had a quick closing and helped a U.S. military member with the HAP program!

 It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

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The post How To Write a Contract for an Eglin AFB HAP Home first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

Dramatic and impressive Navarre Florida HAP home at 2408 Kodiak Ct in Creetwood Place with stunning features and upgrades. The first mood-setting touch is the hand-scraped hickory floors, which set off the high ceilings, plant ledges and soothing wall colors. The kitchen is remodeled with granite counters, top of the line stainless appliances, new disposal, crown moulding on cabinets and custom fixtures. Kitchen is open to the bay-windowed eating area overlooking yard. Master bath is elegant with soaking tub, Italian stone floors and expanded travertine shower. The split plan has three bedrooms in the other wing, plenty for home office use. This Creetwood Place, Navarre Florida HAP home has a generous living room with angled corner fireplace. Outside is an expanded patio with salt-water in-ground pool with waterfall feature. All windows are hurricane-rated with upgraded rear storm door. There is a transferrable builder warranty. Located at the end of a cul-de-sac, great commuting location to Hurlburt or Eglin AFB. Sale contingent on HAP approval.

2408 Kodiak Ct., Creetwood Place, Navarre FL – offered for $237,900

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

HAP, Short Sale and VA Compromise Sale Help.

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Sprawling contemporary HAP  home in Harvest Point, Milton, Florida,  with tile throughout and many windows to maximize the natural light.  This HAP home at 7050 Season Drive, has fine touches include pendant lighting, plant ledges interior columns and high ceilings. The oversized kitchen has much counter space along with a center isle, and is open to living area. The master bath has a deep jetted tub, two walk-in closets and a private water closet. Large corner lot is fenced for privacy.  This Harvest Point home in Milton Florida is minutes from Whiting Field and shopping and an easy commute to Hurlburt Field and beaches in Navarre Florida.  The sale is contingent on HAP approval, which should be about 60 days from date of contract.

7050 Season Drive, Milton Florida HAP home – offered for $152,900

 It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

HAP and VA Compromise Sale Help.

The post 7050 Season Dr., Harvest Point, Milton Florida – HAP Home for Sale first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

This beautiful home on Shire Lane in Silver Oaks, Crestview Florida just sold.  The home had impeccable upkeep. It was 2751 square feet, four bedrooms, two full baths and two car garage. The landscaping was outstanding. The sale price was $218,000.

This home sold as an Eglin Air Force Base HAP Private Sale.  HAP (Homeowners Assistance Program) is a program which assists U.S. military service members relocating to new bases, called PCS (permanent change of station).  In these cases, the service member’s mortgage exceeds the market value due to home values declining.  Under certain circumstances, HAP will cover the mortgage loss.  With a HAP Private Sale, the government reimburses the military service member after closing for the loss, including closing costs up to 3% for conventional loans.  The service member would bring funds to closing to cover the deficit between the contract net and the mortgage balance.  HAP would reimburse based on 90% of the original sale price plus improvements. 

With a HAP Augmented Sale (also called Government Aquisition), HAP will cover the loss at closing not to exceed the mortgage payoff.  You can see that the HAP Private Sale will help the service member recoup more of their losses.  HAP Private Sale is not an option for all service members, since the mortgage deficiency may be significant, and they would have to initially cover the loss with their own funds, while waiting for reimbursement.

For help with your Eglin Air Force Base or Hurlburt Field HAP sale, contact an experienced real estate agent specializing in HAP, VA compromise sales and short sales.

 It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

The post HAP Private Sale – Silver Oaks, Crestview, Florida – Just Sold first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

That’s where HAP comes in to help our military service members.  HAP will pay the mortgage shortfall at closing to assist the service member relocate to a new base. 

For this Crestview Florida HAP sale, the airman sent in a complete application along with the real estate contract and market analysis which I provided.  HAP approved the sale in about four weeks.

Here are some quick hints for Eglin Air Force Base or Hurlburt Field HAP sellers:

HAP will normally contribute 3% of the purchase price for closing costs on conventional sales.

HAP will pay the Realtor fee.

You must keep your mortgage current, pay any liens, judgments and prorated property taxes.

To speed your approval process, always send in a complete application, and hire an experienced HAP real estate agent.

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Eglin AFB FL Real Estate

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The post HAP Approves Another Crestview Florida PCS Sale first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

If you are buying a home around Eglin Air Force Base or 

For example, if you are looking at a Crestview Florida home where the military seller owes $250,000 on the mortgage, and the home is only worth $150,000 (very common), this might be a scenario where HAP could help.  If the seller qualifies, HAP will cover his mortgage loss at time of sale, and allow you to buy it without waiting for a “short sale”.

HAP, run by the Army Corps of Engineers, assists airmen who are PCSing (permanent change of station) with orders to a new base more than 50 miles away.  To qualify for the HAP program, the service members must generally meet these criteria:

1.    They entered into a contract to purchase their current home before July 2006.

2.    It was their primary residence when they got orders to move

3.    Their orders were between February 1 2006 through September 30, 2012.

4.    The property must have declined at least 10% in value.  (That should not be in problem in the Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field market).

If you find a property in Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville or Navarre Florida that is specified as “HAP”, what does this mean to you?

1.     Your real estate contract should have language stating it is “contingent on HAP approval”.

2.    You should allow up to 90 days for approval.  The HAP processing time was about six months at the beginning of the year, but it is speeding up.  You may be approved quicker.

3.    HAP generally will pay competitive closing costs, perhaps 3% of the purchase price.  Be prepared that they may not agree with what you are asking.

4.    HAP wants fair market value for the property.  Do not expect to pay much less.  HAP will request the listing agent provide comparable sales data, and they will do an independent analysis, as well.

5.    Realize the Eglin AFB or Hurlburt Field service member will do the initial negotiations with you, and may not accept or may counter offer your proposal.

When it is time to close, HAP will do what is called an “Augmented sale” or “Government Acquisition”.  They will actually buy the property from the service member, then sell it directly to you. 

As you begin your home search in Crestview, Navarre, Niceville and Fort Walton Beach Florida, remember to check out HAP homes.  You may be HAPpy you did!

Eglin and Hurlburt Field HAP help

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Search Crestview, Navarre and Fort Walton Beach FL Real Estate

Crestview, Navarre and Fort Walton Beach Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

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Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the Emerald Coast of Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County-  Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

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The post How To Buy An Eglin AFB or Hurlburt Field HAP Home first appeared on Rulnick Realty.

Are you an Eglin AFB or Hurlburt Field airman PCSing soon? 

These are the basic qualifications for HAP:

1.  You must be PCSing more than 50 miles
2.  You purchased your home or entered into a contract to buy it before July 1, 2006
3.  It was your primary residence (not a rental)
4.  Your orders were between February 1, 2006 and September 30, 2012.
5.   Your home must have declined at least 10% in value.  (That should not be in problem in the Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field market). 

HAP may cover 90% of your loss from your original purchase price, with you bringing the difference to closing when you sell your homel  If you apply for HAP and are moving from Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field or Whiting Field, here is part of an email you may receive from the HAP Savannah District:  

         “ We cannot estimate or pay benefits until you have provided all requested information, are determined eligible, and have sold your home or have it under contract.  You are encouraged to send in the information we request since we cannot determine your eligibility without it.The government acquisition option for… applicants involves the government purchasing your home and selling it immediately to your buyer in a subsequent transaction.  This option is for those who cannot afford to close without it.  You are advised to make every effort to sell your property at the highest reasonable price under current real estate market conditions.

        Please note we will require a fully signed HUD-1 Settlement Statement from when you bought your home.  Please send this document for inclusion in your file.If you listed major improvements in your application, you must provide receipts for these items if you would like them to be considered.  Current guidance is that the Prior Fair Market Value is the purchase price, but it is anticipated that there may be an adjustment for improvements in the final guidance.  Improvements and receipts must be in accordance with the guidelines established in IRS publications 552 & 527 (http://www.irs.gov/).”

The great news about this HAP guideline, is that your monetary assistance may be based on your cost plus improvements, not just your initial purchase price.  This means, HAP may cover more of the loss to your mortgage holders – so YOU will have to bring less funds to closing to cover the difference. 

If you plan on selling your home for a PCS from Eglin or Hurlburt in Navarre, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Crestview or Mary Esther,  Florida, contact a real estate agent who specializes in the HAP program.  Don’t let your home go to foreclosure!

It’s Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field Real Estate

Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.

 Read Wendy’s Emerald Coast Real Estate Blog

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in “Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine” and “Florida Realtor Magazine”. Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the Emerald Coast of Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County-  Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

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The post Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field PCS – HAP Helps You Avoid Foreclosure first appeared on Rulnick Realty.