While working in the HAP program I could not assist applicants on the real estate side of the transaction. I have left that position so that I can help military personnel work through the program and receive the best benefit for them while it is still funded.

If there is anyone in the Savannah, Georgia (Fort Stewart and/or Hunter Army Airfield) that has questions concerning the HAP program I am currently looking for HAP listings–I know this program and can help determine what portion of the program would work best for you.

Within the Expanded HAP program there are several benefit types: Government Acquisition, Private Sale Augmentation, Privates Sale, Private Sale Short Sale and Foreclosure.

Each file is different and there is not a benefit paid on any portion of the mortgage was was obtained after the purchase unless it is documented with receipts and invoices per the IRS guidelines. The portion of the mortgage that is covered has to be part of purchase funds or home improvements….not repairs.

There is a possible benefit for military personnel that retire if retirement is based on the end of career–ie: 30 years and you can not reenlist another term. The typical 20 year voluntary retirement is not usually eligible for the program.

The July 1, 2006 date was determined by a 20 city study that showed when the market started to fall.

There are two types of HAP–traditional an expanded.

I hope that this information helps answer some of the questions. I would also suggest that you read the written law –it can be located on the U S Army Corps of Engineers HAP web site.

My recommendation is to gather every supporting document you can find for your property and create a timeline supported by those documents. Then go back with everything in a clearly labeled format and walk them through it line by line. Many times claims get declined because they seem complicated on the surface, and a complicated situation added to a complicated program makes it twice as difficult for the approving agency. The easier you make it on them, the more likely your odds of having your application approved. Sorry I couldn’t add more specific advice.

We applied to the Savannah office for HAP assistance and we were denied. First, they said we were not “assigned to a BRAC installation on May 13, 2005.” I am baffled by this finding because we lived in the house and I worked at Ft. McPherson until July, 2005. I did not sign into my new command at Ft. Belvoir until July 25, 2005. The second reason they denied us was because the home is not considered our primary residence. Does anyone know at what point you have to live in the house? We lived there for 4 years. When we PCSd back to Ft. McPherson, it was rented out so we could not move back into it.. The law states that for BRAC applicants, they had to have been the owner-occupant of the house on the date of the BRAC announcement, May 13, 2005 – we meet this criteria.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.