This townhome at Country Villas, Shalimar, Florida has been approved as a HAP (Homeowner Assistance Program) sale. HAP is a program designed to assist United States military service members who have orders to relocate bases, and are upside-down in their mortgages. Meaning, they owe more on their mortgage than their current market value. Just how quick was this HAP approval? It's Wendy! Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc. Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204 Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com Fort Walton Beach Florida Real Estate Crestview Florida Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help. Wendy is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". Call Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner,to list and sell your home or condo on the Emerald Coast of Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County- Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 
The property went under contract two weeks ago. The seller, an Eglin Air Force Base service member, sent HAP his final application documents, a copy of the real estate contract and a Broker Price Opinion which I provided.
HAP approved the sales price within one week.
Another week later, HAP approved the service member for benefits!
The next steps? The HAP Government Aquisition program (also called augmented sale) will buy the home from the servicemember, pay his remaining balance on his mortgage, and re-sell the property to the buyer. HAP will use its own title agency to purchase from the airman, and we can choose a local title agent to facilitate the purchase between the government and the buyer.
If you are an Eglin AFB or Hurlburt Field airman, consider using the HAP program if you are PCSing and upside-down in your mortgage. And contact an agent who specializes in HAP.
Wendy, This is a great service to provide to our enlisted men and women, it is available to other sellers with other similar upside-down issues?
Very interesting. It should make transfers much easer.
Can HAP be use when getting out of the service?
Does it matter who the buyer is?
Bill
Steve - HAP is only for military service members who fit certain criteria, such as buying their home pre-July 2006, PCSing more than 50 miles from their base, etc. It is a good help!
Bill - HAP can only be used for military PCS, not retiring, and it doesn't matter who the buyer is...
Wendy, congratulations on the sale. We are starting to see some contracts on short sales in this area.
Very nice Wendy. Sounds like you are doing a great job helping our service men/women in their need to buy and sell homes.
Hi Wendy... I had never heard of this program. I like it a lot!
I LOVE the HAP program; I'm currently working on a HAP Listing and we're scheduled to close in September!
It's a great that you can share the news about HAP sales via your blog. I hope more service men and women find out about the program and use your services.