Bulletin: MA2022001

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Bulletin: MA2022001

Bulletin Document
V 4
Date: January 17, 2022
To: All Massachusetts Issuing Offices
RE: UNDERWRITING - Reminder Regarding Premium Calculations For First-Time Homebuyer Discount

Stewart offers a discount to first time homebuyers through the First-Time Homebuyers Program.  As a reminder, a discount in the amount of 10% is available to qualifying first time homebuyers and shall apply to the total policy premium for policies issued in connection with a 1-4 family residential purchase transaction when issuing a Homeowner’s (enhanced) Owner’s policy.   

For example, if a first-time homebuyer purchases a home for $500,000.00, and finances the property with a $400,000.00 mortgage, the total premium for the Homeowner (enhanced) Owner policy and a Standard Loan policy would be: $1,957.50 (with the discount).

The calculation is completed as follows, based on a simultaneous issuance:

     Premium for $500,000 Homeowner’s policy calculated at $4.00/$1,000            $2,000.00

     Plus $175.00 for simultaneous issue of loan policy                                                  $175.00

                 Subtotal                                                                                                        $2,175.00

     Subtract 10% of subtotal                                                                                           ($217.50)

     Total premium for Homeowner’s and Loan Policies with discount                       $1,957.50

Note: for purposes of the Closing Disclosure, the discount reduces the premium for the Homeowner’s Policy, not the loan policy. In the example above, the premium for a standard loan policy in the amount of $400,000 would be $1,000. Using the total discounted premium of $1,957.50 for both policies and deducting the loan policy premium of $1,000 results in an owner’s policy premium of $957.50.  

A first-time homebuyer shall mean an individual or individuals who are purchasing a primary residence and have not owned a home during the last three years. 

The 10% discount will be collected from Stewart's portion of the premium and will not affect the premium retained by the agent. 

When remitting a policy where the first-time homebuyer discount was applied, the remitted policy must be accompanied by a copy of the First-Time Homebuyer Confirmation Form signed by the buyer(s). Click here for a copy of the First-Time Homebuyer Confirmation Form.

If you have any questions relating to this or other bulletins, please contact a Stewart Title Guaranty Company underwriter.

For on-line viewing of this and other bulletins, please log onto www.vuwriter.com.

THIS BULLETIN IS FURNISHED TO INFORM YOU OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS. AS A REMINDER, YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENT ON VIRTUAL UNDERWRITER  AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME AS IT APPLIES TO YOU, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS. OUR UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS DO NOT AUTHORIZE OUR ISSUING AGENTS TO ENGAGE IN SETTLEMENTS OR CLOSINGS ON BEHALF OF STEWART TITLE GUARANTY COMPANY. THIS BULLETIN IS NOT INTENDED TO DIRECT YOUR ESCROW OR SETTLEMENT PRACTICES OR TO CHANGE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS. CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, OR NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION SHOULD NEVER BE SHARED OR DISSEMINATED EXCEPT AS ALLOWED BY LAW. IF APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR REGULATION IMPOSES ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS.


References

Bulletins Replaced:
  • None
Related Bulletins:
Underwriting Manual:
  • None
Exceptions Manual:
  • None
Forms:
  • None