"Palmetto Heroes" Home Buying Program

Lower Rates, More Funds for Popular "Palmetto Heroes" Home Buying Program


The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC State Housing) relaunched its program to help South Carolina teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel who want to become homeowners. SC State Housing officials were so pleased with the response to the $40 million program announced back in March, 2010, they decided to add additional funds to the pot and reduce the interest rate.



In the revamped Palmetto Heroes-2, teachers and first responders will be joined by administrative personnel in education and firefighting, all law enforcement officers - including dispatchers and Corrections Officers, and Nurses as well as EMTs.



"Our first Heroes program two years ago was for teachers only," said Valarie M. Williams, Executive Director of SC State Housing. "When we worked up the program last year to include first responders such as police, firefighters and EMTs, we received a lot of calls from the administrative personnel who support them. Administrative workers, dispatchers and the like are just as important to these professions and their dedication needs to be recognized."



Williams said the expanded "Palmetto Heroes-2" will provide low interest home loans to current South Carolina teachers, school administrators, firefighters and support personnel, law enforcement to include dispatchers and Corrections Officers, and EMS personnel and nurses who qualify. The additional funding will also provide the same crucial incentive that made the original Palmetto Heroes so popular - a down payment assistance of up to $7,500.



"Being able to afford a home is still a concern for many people in our state," Williams said. "But it can be especially tough for some of our workers who have the jobs that are critical to our safety and our children's futures and yet, have modest salaries." She said many individuals and families currently paying rent simply have a tough time saving up for the down payment. "It's important that we invest in these workers who are so important to our communities," she said.



Palmetto Heroes is available to teachers and firefighters and their administrative personnel, as well as law enforcement officers - to include dispatchers and Corrections officers, and EMS and nurses who are currently certified in their profession, and reside and work in South Carolina or have a contract to begin working here within 60 days of closing on a home.



Eligible Palmetto Heroes home buyers can get a 4.5 % interest rate through SC State Housing's First-time Home Buyer Program, as well as down payment assistance loans of up to $7,000 in Category I or $7,500 in Category II. (see rate sheet.)



The program includes a grant from South Carolina Realtors®, to bolster the funds available for down payment assistance in Category II.



Mortgage loans can be up to 30 years and are available through any of SC State Housing's network of more than 200 participating private sector lenders and brokers statewide. Maximum income limits are based on the median income per county and household composition. Palmetto Heroes-2, like its predecessor, may not be used for refinancing.



For more information, contact a Realtor® or SC State Housing at 1-800-432-5007 or visit the agency's website: www.schousing.com.

Lexington Home For Sale in Garden Pond

What is IN and What is COOL

Classic Neutral Colors

Deep gray browns, gray blues, muted beige, and chalky white have been touted particularly popular shades. Remember, if you are prepping your home for a sale stick with the neutrals and try to stay away from bright colors. Paint can be a relatively inexpensive home improvement that will refresh any home


Backyard Gardens

First Lady Michelle Obama led the way in 2009 when she installed one at the White House and the trend continues in 2010.



Made in America
Support your local retailers and try and purchase products made in America. Purchasing these products supports employment, job growth and in the end benefits the economy for everyone.


DIY
With the economy still shifting, homeowners are doing more and more projects on their own to keep the costs down

Being prepared

Being prepared for a natural disaster may not seem to be a priority; however, a disaster can strike at a moment’s notice. During a disaster you and your family members may not have electrical power or running water for up to three days. Relief workers will be on scene but may not be able to access everyone immediately. Having a well stocked Disaster Supply Kit is a great way to insure you and your love ones have the necessities required while waiting for assistance. Better to be prepared than caught off guard.




Some items your Disaster Supply Kit should have are as follows:



WaterIt is recommended that you use commercially purchased bottled water that will only be opened as required. Have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store one gallon of water per person per day. Keep in mind a normal, healthy adult requires approximately one half gallon of water daily.

Food
Store a minimum of a three day supply of non-perishable food. Choose foods that require little or no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Make sure to avoid foods that will make you thirsty or are high in salt as this will increase your water intake. High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix will go a long way.

First Aid
People in your home may have been injured so it is always best to have a first aid kit ready. In fact, have two kits prepared – one for your Disaster Kit and one in your car. At any point you may need to travel.



FEMA.gov recommends the following items be in your first aid kit:

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Triangular bandages (3)
• 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• Tongue blades (2)
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pair) Sunscreen

Clothing / Bedding
If you are living in a climate where temperatures drop then coats, sweaters and heavy bedding are required. Include one change of clothing for every person in your home.

Special Needs
Remember to have your special needs items packed in your kit if you have an infant child, elderly or disabled person living in your home.

Those items may include:
• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Medications

Important Documents
Gather copies of all of your family’s important personal documents and place them in a waterproof lock box. This lock box should be place with your disaster kit.

Your documents should include:
• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Photo IDs, passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers



Remember, we all face the risk of being the victim of a large scale disaster and a little bit of preparation beforehand will go a long way in easing the stress.



For a comprehensive list on planning and preparing for disaster, please go to FEMA’s – Prepare For A Disaster web page by clicking here http://www.fema.gov/plan

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