Following are general guidelines concerning HOPE’s homebuyer assistance program. This is not necessarily a complete list of rules and regulations but highlights the most important ones for this program. The following abbreviations and definitions apply:
HOPE –refers to the agency, HOPE of Evansville, Inc.
Assistance –refers to down payment and/or closing cost assistance provided by HOPE
Clients – refers to applicants or potential homebuyers using HOPE’s Assistance
Program – refers to HOPE’s homebuyer education and financial Assistance program
1. INCOME. Clients must meet Program income eligibility guidelines as published by HUD on an annual basis and provided to Clients with their initial application. All income and assets from all household members must be verified by HOPE through third party documentation.
2. FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER. Clients must be first-time homebuyers. Some exceptions include divorcees, owners of manufactured homes, and previous homes owned more than 3 years ago.
3. MORTGAGE AND TERMS. Clients must qualify for and obtain an acceptable mortgage with a lender of their choice as long as that lender does not charge excessive fees, high and/or variable interest rates, balloon payments, or extraneous fees. The monthly payment including principal, interest, taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and private mortgage insurance cannot exceed 30% of the buyer’s monthly gross income. Prior to closing, Clients must provide verification of homeowner’s insurance listing the City of Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) as a second mortgage holder.
4. NEED FOR ASSISTANCE. Clients must have an assessed need for Assistance in order to qualify for HOPE’s financial Assistance Program. Need will be determined by HOPE staff, based on established parameters reported to the Department of Metropolitan Development annually.
5. PURCHASE CONTRIBUTION. Clients must contribute toward their home purchase, which will be matched as needed by HOPE to a maximum of $10,000 for homes with a sales price below $150,000 or $15,000 for homes with a sales price above $150,000. Clients are required to contribute a minimum of $1,000. If a need for Assistance is confirmed, the minimum down payment assistance provided is $1,000. Both the Client’s and HOPE’s funds can be used for down payment and/or closing costs and may not be adequate to cover the total purchase costs. Clients cannot receive cash back at closing.
6. WHOLE HOUSE AND PEST INSPECTION. A whole house and pest inspection is required. All defects and/or safety items noted on the inspection report must be repaired or resolved by the property Seller at the Seller’s expense, followed by a satisfactory re-inspection, prior to closing. (See Guideline #16 for additional information regarding inspections.)
7. LEAD BASED PAINT INSPECTION. If the house was constructed before 1979, a Visual Assessment must be completed on all painted surfaces. If deteriorated paint is found, appropriate action must be taken to stabilize each deteriorated paint surface using acceptable lead-safe work practices. At the Visual Assessment stage, Clients have the option of requesting a professional test for lead at their expense. If the Visual Assessment shows no deterioration of a painted surface, Clients can sign a waiver stating they are aware of the potential presence of lead paint and choose not to address it.
8. COURSE COMPLETION. HOPE’s “Live the Dream” course or the online “Framework” course must be successfully completed by the Clients to become eligible for Assistance, however course completion does not guarantee Assistance. HOPE charges a $80 fee for the “Live the Dream” course and $75 for the online “Framework” course. Refunds of this fee are not given should the Clients fail to qualify for and/or receive Assistance.
9. EVANSVILLE PROPERTIES. Only properties purchased within the City limits of Evansville are eligible for Assistance through HOPE. By signing this form, you are agreeing it is your responsibility and not the responsibility of HOPE or its employees to determine if the property you are purchasing is within the City limits of Evansville.
10. HISTORIC REVIEW. This review is conducted by DMD and must be completed prior to purchase and prior to any repair work done on the property.
11. PURCHASE LIMIT. Sales price cannot exceed 95% of the area median purchase price. In 2023, the maximum purchase price is $174,000 for an existing home and $255,000 for a new home.
12. CONTINGENCY ADDENDUM. HOPE requires the completion of a Contingency Addendum with the executed Purchase Agreement. Clients should receive confirmation of their Program eligibility prior to signing any Purchase Agreement. If Clients execute a Purchase Agreement prior to receiving eligibility confirmation, they understand they are doing so at their own risk and possible expense.
13. REPAYMENT REQUIREMENT. Any grant Assistance provided by HOPE to the Clients is contingent upon the Clients living in the property as their primary residence for during an affordability period and not selling the property or re-financing their mortgage within that period. If the Assistance provided is less than $15,000 the affordability period is 5 years. If the Assistance provided is $15,000 the affordability period is 10 years. No payments are required during this period, however failure to adhere to those restrictions could result in a partial or total repayment of the Assistance amount. The Assistance loan will be due and repayable upon the sale and transfer of title before the end of loan term’s affordability period. The loan is forgiven at 20% per year for 5 year affordability periods and 10% per year for 10 year affordability periods. A deed restriction must be signed by the buyer and recorded by the County Recorder.
14. FREEDOM OF CHOICE. Clients understand they are free to choose lenders, loan products, and homes regardless of any recommendations that may be given by any representative of HOPE or any partner of HOPE. While affordable homes, lending products, and/or purchase Assistance grants may be offered by HOPE or by partners of HOPE, Clients understand and acknowledge they are under no obligation to use any of these programs or services.
15. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. Assistance grants are dependent upon the availability of HUD funds to HOPE. These funds are not guaranteed to any applicant or Clients of the Program.
16. MAJOR SYSTEMS. HOPE requires Clients determine the age and condition of the home’s major systems prior to making an offer to purchase. A 5-year life expectancy rule will be applied to all major systems, which is defined as HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Roof, Foundation, and Walls. If a whole house inspection reveals problems or questions with major systems and recommends “Monitor” on the report, a follow-up inspection and report may be required by DMD from a professional in that field to determine the life expectancy. Permits may be required depending the on the repair or replacement that is needed. If it is determined the life expectancy is less than 5 years, a replacement will be required by DMD.
17. INSURANCE & RESIDENCY VERIFICATION. HOPE will conduct an annual review to determine whether or not the Clients maintain homeowners’ insurance and whether or not the Clients' house remains the Clients' primary residence. HOPE will send the Clients a letter in the mail asking for verification (i.e. signed affidavit of residency and proof of insurance) once per year on the anniversary date of the Clients' closing. These forms of verification must be completed and returned to HOPE.
As indicated by my/our signature(s) below, I(we) as clients and potential homebuyers (Clients), understand and acknowledge the preceding rules, guidelines, and conditions that exist regarding my/our eligibility to receive down payment and/or closing cost financial assistance (Assistance) through the Down Payment Assistance Program (Program) from HOPE of Evansville, Inc (HOPE):