Buying a Home in South West Florida For 0% Down and No Closing Costs

Buying a Home in South West Florida For 0% Down and No Closing Costs

If you’ve read this far and clicked on this article, you’re probably thinking one of two things.

1.) How can I take advantage of this program?

2.) What kind of scam is this guy spinning here?

Hopefully you were thinking both! It’s good to be cautious, especially in this day and age. There are plenty of scams out there. There are plenty of people trying to take advantage of people in these low economic times. After hearing about this program though, you’ll be able to do your own research, ask around, and discover that yes, this is actually a real, government backed program.

What is it? It’s called a USDA loan. That’s right, USDA. I know what you’re thinking: “What, are you trying to do, get me to buy a cow?” It is the same USDA you are used to hearing about. The United States Department of Agriculture. Yes, they have their seal stamped in the front of packages of good beef. But they also offer home loans. Needless to say, the USDA is a government agency, one committed to helping rural and agricultural areas. In their efforts to help develop these areas, they are offering loans with 100% financing (0% down) that allow you to roll the closing costs into the loan.

In other words, No Down Payment, No Closing Costs What you also might not have known is that almost all of Collier County and much of Lee county and Charlotte County (in other words, most of South West Florida) are designated either rural or rural fringe areas, both qualifying for USDA loans.

Can anybody qualify for a USDA loan?

No. There are restrictions based on location and income. If you have a 6-figure income and are looking to buy a $ 900,000 condo on the water in Downtown Naples, I’m not sure why you would need 0% down or no closing costs–and, this program isn’t going to help you. However, if you are making in the area of $ 40k-50k per year or less, then you are shaping up nicely as someone that might benefit from this program. Each county is different, and the income restrictions are different for single buyers, married, and buyers with families, but you can check on updated restrictions on the USDA website.

How can I learn if I qualify?

If you are interested in buying a house in a rural fringe area, in SWFL or anywhere else, you are going to need to check if the loan is available in your area. The USDA website listed below will help guide you there. An easy way to do this would also be to speak with a Loan Officer that has access to the program. My company does, and we’d be happy to help you see if you qualify!

Ryan Shore

Senior Loan Officer

Transcontinental Lending Group

Doctor stops accepting insurance, lowers prices and posts costs online

File photo of doctor's exam room (Thinkstock)

A family practice doctor in Maine is refusing all forms of health insurance, including Medicare, in order, he says, to provide better service to his patients.

Dr. Michael Ciampi told the Bangor Daily News that he wants to practice medicine without being dictated to by insurance companies.

On April 1, Ciampi lowered his prices and posted the costs online. For example, an office visit in which patients discuss "one issue of moderate complexity or 2-3 simple issues" costs $75. When Ciampi accepted insurance, the visit would run $160, according to the Bangor Daily News.

The fact that Ciampi lists the prices, he says, means no surprises for his patients.

Say you're an established patient who can't make it to the doctor's office but wish to speak to him over the phone? A 10-minute conversation will run you $20. Each additional five-minute block will cost you $10. A minor surgery, like the draining of a boil will cost between $100 and $150.

Dr. Ciampi told the paper that some patients have left his practice, but that all seem to understand what motivated him to make the change.

Via the Banger Daily News:

Insurance companies no longer dictate how much he charges. He can offer discounts to patients struggling with their medical bills.

He can make house calls. "I’m freed up to do what I think is right for the patients," Ciampi said. "If I’m providing them a service that they value, they can pay me, and we cut the insurance out as the middleman and cut out a lot of the expense."

Ciampi told the paper that he collects payment at the end of each session (he doesn't send bills), and he sees each patient himself. Patients with insurance can submit their receipts for reimbursement, if the insurance company allows for that, according to Ciampi's family practice site.

View the original article here