Down payment assistance to home buyers
0 Comments | Westside Gazette, Oct 23-Oct 29, 2008
LAUDERHILL, FL – Regardless where they currently live, first-time home buyers have the opportunity to own a brand new residence with no money down, thanks to a special partnership between the City of Lauderhill and Florida builder, Centerline Homes.
“This is truly a monumental occasion for people who are looking to realize the American dream,” remarks Jeffrey Auchter.
As the Centerline vice president of marketing ex-plains, a limited number of qualified buyers will be given the opportunity to purchase a townhouse at Georgetown, the company’s “affordable, Caribbean-inspired neighborhood in central Broward.”
Those interested will have four hours to register during Open Enrollment, between 4 to 8 p m., Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the City of Lauderhill’s Commission Chambers, located at 3800 Inverrary Blvd., Suite 111-112.
Under this program, first-time home buyers or those who have not owned a home in the past three years will be eligible to receive $10,000 that can be used toward the home’s down payment and closing costs. Centerline will match up to the same amount to cover any additional closing costs.
Another benefit to this down payment assistance program is that it frees a significant amount of cash for prospective buyers, which will make it easier for them to qualify for a loan at a time when mortgage financing has become harder to obtain.
And as long as the purchaser stays for at least five years in the home, the assistance money does not have to be paid back.
“At a time when purchasing a new home has become increasingly harder for low-income families, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a beautiful townhouse rather than keep paying hard-earned money for rent,” Auchter notes.
The community, nestled around a lake just north of Sunrise Blvd. on State Road 7, is ideally located in the heart of Broward County and conveniently accessible to the entire tri-county area.
For those who take advantage of the down payment assistance program, Georgetown offers a choice of four floor plans from which to choose with up to more than 1,300 square feet of living space, plus a full garage, and priced from the mid- to the high- $100s.
Brick paver driveways and walkways, coach lights, 16-inch ceramic tile flooring, European-style cabinetry, Moen faucets, and theater-style lighting are among the many decorative and architectural features that embellish these residences.
This intimate enclave also provides homeowners with an invigorating recreational lifestyle found at The Club at Georgetown, where they can enjoy a resort-style swimming pool, cabana baths, a children’s Aqua Park, tot lot, multi-purpose court, as well as a lakeside jogging trail.
The sales center and furnished models at George-town are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To reach the community, take I-95 to Sun-rise Boulevard, then go west to U.S
fl first time home buyer