Board of Directors to Meet in September |
The AHFA Board of Directors will meet in public session in the AHFA offices on Tuesday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m. |
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Free Housing Counseling Available to MAA Customers |
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To prevent future financial crises, all Mortgage Assistance Alabama (MAA) customers are asked to consider housing counseling.
AHFA strongly encourages each participant, through email campaigns and outreach like the new video at right, to complete a brief housing counseling survey. Their responses connect them with additional support, offered at no cost through the United Way of Central Alabama, on utilities, prescriptions, job training, and other resources needed for future stability.
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MAA is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury's Homeowner Assistance Fund. Visit MortgageAssistanceAL.com
for more information.
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AHFA Accepts Comments on 2023 Multifamily Allocation Plans |
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AHFA received a total of 123 comments regarding its 2023 draft Multifamily Allocation Plans during the public comment period which ended August 15. AHFA is currently reviewing the comments for submission to its Board of Directors for approval and inclusion in the final plans.
The comment period took place after AHFA conducted a public hearing in July concerning the proposed 2023 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
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Qualified Allocation Plan, HOME Action Plan, and National Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan, for the distribution of funds in exchange for the new construction of extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income projects and the monitoring of the funding for those projects.
Additionally, AHFA presented the HOME-American Rescue Plan, a substantial amendment to the 2021 HOME Action Plan for the distribution of funds in exchange for the new construction of extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income projects for Qualifying Populations and the monitoring of the funding for those projects.
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AHFA Receives Competitive Multifamily Applications in August
AHFA accepted applications for 2022 Housing Credits and HOME Investment Partnership Program funds on August 23. Click here to view a list of the applications submitted in this year's competitive cycle. Continue to watch for news and updates relating to the 2022 competitive cycle here and at AHFA.com.
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Student Spotlight: Aimelis Gonzalez Perez
Deerfield Apartments, Daleville
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AHFA's latest Student Spotlight shines on Aimelis Gonzalez Perez, valedictorian of the Daleville High School Class of 2022. She is attending Enterprise State Community College.
She lives in Daleville's Deerfield Apartments, an affordable multifamily community financed in part by AHFA.
Gonzalez Perez is the first recipient of an Alabama Affordable Housing Association
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(AAHA) resident scholarship named in honor of AHFA retiree Barbara Wallace, who served as multifamily manager until last December.
"Despite my grades, I have not had much luck finding scholarships or any financial aid. I plan to utilize this scholarship responsibly in order to finish my studies and make a successful career for myself," said Gonzalez Perez. "My family has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we now make just enough money to get by. My parents are unable to pay for my education, and I am in need of financial assistance. I believe that I deserve this scholarship because I am a responsible individual who has a passion for learning, and I am determined to make myself a successful individual with my education and make my family and friends proud."
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Realtor Spotlight: Sandra Nickel
Sandra Nickel Hat Team, REALTORS
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This month's Realtor Spotlight stars Montgomery's Sandra Nickel. A lover of old houses and, of course, hats, Nickel has been a licensed Realtor since 1981 and leads the Hat Team Realtors.
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in real estate during your career?
On the positive side, we have instant access to listing data rather than having to wait a week to get “the new book.” We no longer have to drive all over town to deliver documents. Cell technology means we no longer publish our home telephone numbers (and, consequently, addresses), a real safety upgrade.
On the negative side, so many clients communicate via text or email, and that makes “getting to know you” a challenge. And agents don’t seem to talk to one another anymore, making negotiations much more difficult and often adversarial. I think the clients are the big losers in this changing process.
Have you recommended the Step Up down payment assistance program to homebuyers?
Heavens yes—that and the Mortgage Credit Certificate program. Over the years, I and my team have utilized these tools to enable homeownership for dozens of clients who might not otherwise been able to achieve that “American dream.”
What do you think is Step Up's greatest benefit for homebuyers?
Study after study tell us that saving the money for a down payment is the
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number one hurdle would-be homeowners face. Step Up flattens that hurdle!
What is the best advice you can give to first-time homebuyers?
Your parents probably didn’t get a “move-in-ready dream” as their first home. Don’t hold out for that yourself. Be willing to buy an “equity home” now and let leverage work for you. You’ll be building equity on the “bank’s money” as well as your down payment, and that will then allow you to move up to your dream.
What do you enjoy most
about your job?
Helping others achieve their dreams makes my heart happy. And homeownership is still the big American dream.
Any advice you'd like to share?
Always put the client ahead of the commission. Take care of the client now, and they will take care of you with repeat business and referrals.
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Outreach & Education in August |
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August 2: Lender visit with Caliber Home Loans, Mobile
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August 2: Realtor training with Exit Realty Lyon, Mobile
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August 4: Lender visit with MortgageBanc, Birmingham
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August 12: Realtor event with Cullman Association of Realtors
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August 24: Lender visit with
CMG Financial, Montgomery
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August 26: Lender visit with loanDepot, Montgomery
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August 30: Lender visit with AmeriFirst Mortgage, Birmingham
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August 30: Lender visit with Prime Lending, Birmingham
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August 30: Lender visit with Mortgage Right, Birmingham
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August 30: Lender visit with NorthPointe Bank, Birmingham
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August 31: LSCU's Southeast Leadership Development Conference, Point Clear
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Lenders: Let's Connect! We want to hear from you!
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AHFA Welcomes New Lenders to Step Up Program |
Two new partners became participating lenders in the Step Up program in August.
The Step Up program is AHFA’s flagship homeownership program, providing down payment assistance and competitive rates which make buying a home a reality for more Alabamians.
If you are a lender and would like to participate in any of AHFA’s single-family financing programs, please contact AHFA to request a lender participation package.
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AHFA Offices to Close for Labor Day |
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The AHFA and ServiSolutions offices will be closed Monday, September 5 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6. |
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Alabama Housing Finance Authority | Montgomery, Alabama | 334.244.9200 | Email | Website
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