The California Association of Realtors has purchased about 400 insurance policies for first-time homebuyers that could provide up to $1,500 a month in mortgage assistance for six months in the event they lose their jobs.
CAR announced the program on April 2, saying it would use $1 million its members had donated to a charitable fund earmarked for affordable housing to buy one-year mortgage payment protection policies for about 3,000 first-time homebuyers instead.
As of late July, 384 applications have been approved and an additional 22 applications were in the pipeline awaiting approval, CAR said.
The program has proved to be such a success, CAR said, it has received a $420,000 grant from the National Association of Realtors to extend the program once the initial funding for the program runs out.
Consumer advocates have questioned the value of such "single event" insurance policies, but as unemployment levels continue to rise they have become a marketing tool for mortgage lenders, homebuilders and Realtors (see story).
The insurance provider CAR initially worked with to provide one-year policies required a 6-month vesting period before the policyholder could apply for benefits. Under changes to to the program effective Aug. 1, the vesting period has been reduced to four months — although there is an additional one-month "elimination" period before payments can begin.
To qualify for the program, buyers must not have owned a home in the last three years, and escrow must have opened on or after April 2 and closed before Dec. 31. Buyers must use a California Realtor, purchase a property in the state, and cannot be self-employed.
***
What’s your opinion? Leave your comments below or send a letter to the editor.
