Mercer County Program Offers Assistance to First-Time Homebuyers

Mercer County is offering help for potential homebuyers through its First-Time Homebuyer Program, county officials said this week.

There are two workshops this year, to be held at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• Wednesday, April 20, 2016, Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

• Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, Hamilton Township Free Public Library, 1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619

Workshop participants can learn how the mortgage process works, and participating lenders will be on hand to guide applicants and provide answers. First-time homebuyers may be eligible to obtain down payment and closing cost assistance through the program.

Eligibility for assistance is based on family size and income, and lenders will help determine mortgage eligibility based on income, credit rating and current monthly expenses.

To receive assistance through the Mercer County First-Time Homebuyer Program, applicants must participate in a Homebuyer Training Course, cannot have owned a home within the past three years — unless that person is a single parent or displaced homemaker — and cannot own other real estate at the time of closing.

For additional information or questions regarding accessibility accommodations, please contact the Mercer County Housing Office at 609-989-6858.