Edwin Gerace's Real Estate Blog

Showing posts with label fire fighters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire fighters. Show all posts

Friday, March 5, 2010

Palmetto Heroes FREE Grant MONEY $7,000


Offering a helping hand to “everyday heroes” so they may achieve homeownership is the aim of the “Palmetto Heroes” program announced by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority. Under the program, eligible “Palmetto Heroes” namely teachers, law enforcement officers, and persons in emergency services can get a 5.125 percent interest rate through the South Carolina Housing ’s First-time Home Buyer Program. The $40 million initiative will also provide a down payment assistance loan of up to $7000 dollars. South Carolina Housing Executive Director Valerie Williams says the down payment assistance loan could even be forgivable over time, depending on the borrower’s income. Williams says everyday heroes give so much to others and they deserve a helping hand.


“This program is available to our teachers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters and first responders(meaning EMS workers) who are currently certified in their professions and reside and work in South Carolina or have a contract to begin working in the state within 60 days of closing.” Mortgage loans can be up to 30 years and are available through any of the South Carolina Housing’s network of more than 200 private sector lenders and brokers statewide. Williams says the program not only provides helping hand the everyday heroes across the state, it is an investment in the communities in which they live and work.


“We hope this will provide a recruitment incentive, and in some cases a retention incentive to enable them to work where they live. We not only commend these workers who are so vital to the future of our children and of our state, we are looking to invest in them by creating this program.”

South Carolina Housing is a self-supporting agency of state government and does not receive a state appropriation.


The program includes a $75,000 grant from South Carolina Association of Realtors to help each of the first 300 participants in the program with incidentals associated with purchasing a home. Nick Kremydas, CEO of SC Realtors, says far too often many public servants can’t find affordable housing in the communities that they serve. “

For details call Edwin Gerace @ 803-609-7653 or email mail@609sold.com

Thursday, December 10, 2009

RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS

RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS

Position Statement

The Home Builders Association has long been a strong advocate for increased home safety. The Association has supported numerous building codes that minimize the risk of residential fires and accidents in the home – hard-wired smoke alarms, arc-fault receptacles, firewall separation, etc. These new safety items have given consumers a strong return on their dollars invested. New homes today are by far the safest home ever constructed!

Residential fire sprinklers are not new. They have been around for many years. However, only a handful of home owners have chosen to install them in their homes. As in any aspect of life, one has to weight the risks versus the cost of added protection. Consumers have resoundingly voted against installing residential fire sprinklers – less than 1% of all new homes - because the cost greatly outweighs the benefits. For those consumers who want the maximum protection, fire sprinklers are available in the market. However, the choice should be left to an individual, not the government!

The Home Builders Association defends the right for any homeowner to install a fire sprinkler. Our industry would be happy to install a fire sprinkler system for any consumer that wants one in their new or existing homes. However, since the consumer pays for the system and has to deal with the consequences of installing a fire sprinkler system, the consumer should have a choice of installing or not installing fire sprinklers.

The General Assembly spoke very clearly on the residential fire sprinkler issue two years ago when they overwhelmingly voted to provide a local/state incentive package for voluntary installation of fire sprinklers. The General Assembly felt that consumer choice was the best public policy and we agree!

Question
1-Who is going to pay for the additional expenses that are given to the home owner for the sprinkler system?
2- Sprinkler Contractors, are they going to warrant the sprinklers in a starter home due to malfunctions?
3-Why not giving tax incentives for homes having sprinklers?

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Lexington, SC, United States
Edwin Gerace is Realtor with Holiday Builders in Lexington South Carolina. Edwin specializes in New Construction and 1st Time Home Buyers. Edwin is very active in Lexington South Carolina and is knowledgeable about the surroundings. Edwin is very active in his profession and community such as: On active committees with the Columbia Home Builders, active and on committees with Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Town of Lexington Performing Arts Center, Green Building Council of HBA, LORADAC, State Association of Realtors on State and Local Level, and many other community oriented service groups.
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