New regulations could help more people purchase homes
Some southeast Idaho community leaders have plans to get people out of apartments and into their own homes, and say some new laws should help people avoid foreclosure.
On Jan. 10 the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued rules that will prohibit deceptive teaser interest rates or balloon payment and try to help more people get home loans.
For cities and communities across the area, getting more people into homes is a priority.
Pocatello city councilman, and realtor, Jim Johnston said for some reason being a homeowner seems to make people into better citizens.
“What we have found is that when a person owns a home they are more likely to vote, they are more likely to be involved in the schools, and what a difference that makes,” Johnston said.
Over the last five years the foreclosure crisis moved people out of homes and made loans tougher to get, a concern for many communities.
Some new laws have tried to take away some of the risk, and regulations try to reduce the risk of mortgages people won’t be able to afford.
“This is really going to do a couple of things, number one it’s going to protect the consumer with a secure mortgage and a mortgage they can afford and carry for the life of the home,” Pocatello Neighborhood Housing Services Director Mark Dahlquist said.
One of those organizations looking to help people make that first home purchase is PNHS.
“When they buy a home it’s stimulating the economy. So buying a home really is so much more that having a roof over your head. It really stabilized families and communities like ours,” Dahlquist said.
The organization provides a number of programs and incentives to help get people in homes.
Johnston said organizations like PNHS and some regulations have helped housing in our area begin to recover.
“I think we’re going the right direction, but still there are way too many foreclosures, way too many short sales,” Johnston said.
