(Photo above: Kirstin Underwood and Paul Baker celebrating their first home purchase. )
The Joy Fund was established in March of 2022 to assist first-time home buyers in Washington County, like Kirstin and Paul, make the transition to homeownership by providing funds for home inspections related to a home purchase. “We really saved every last penny for the down payment and closing costs, and having access to the Joy Fund allowed us to get a home inspection that let us know what we were getting into and allowed us to make sure that our new home was one we would be able to live in.”
Georgiana (Georgie) Kendall, a 5th generation Downeaster, started this fund to support folks who would like to live, work and play here in Washington County. Home ownership is the most expensive & important investment an individual can make in themselves, their future, their family, and their community. “We’ve been trying to come back to Washington county for years,” said Kirstin, “while watching the home market become less and less accessible to local wages. It meant a lot to us that this fund existed specifically to help locals stay in Washington county and to help people like us come back.”
The Joy Fund will award up to $1,000 per calendar year towards the inspection(s) of a residence during the transition months between making an offer and closing on a house. A cross-agency committee reviews applications weekly, and turnaround time for funding is fast. The Joy Fund highly recommends using a bank or mortgage company with a branch in Washington County and a Washington County based inspector.
“I’m a home owner! 
It’s not perfect, but it is mine. I did it by myself. Thank you to Georgie Kendall, the best real estate agent and friend, many others, and The Joy Fund at the Community Caring Collaborative for helping me with my house inspection. Being able to get a house inspection was a huge relief and being able to use the funds from the Joy Fund reduced a huge financial burden. This helped me understand the repairs and needs of the house and didn’t leave me with any surprises.” Katie S., Machias.
Please note: this application must be submitted by a Washington County-based real estate agent on behalf of the buyer.
Eligibility
- First-time home buyers
- Applicants must have lived in Washington County for 12 months, including residents who moved away and would like to return
- Pre-approved buyers working with Washington County based real estate agent(s) and financial institution(s). The real estate agent’s primary/permanant residence must be in Washington County.
Requirements
- Proof of residence in Washington County for a 12-month period currently or in the past
- Proof of having taken a First-Time Home Buyer course (see information on this course)
- Financial institution must have a branch in Washington County
- If possible, the home inspection service(s) should be based in Washington County
- Pre-approved letter from financial institution
- Estimate for each inspection
- Support statement (letter, note, email) from real estate agent
- Indicate other sources of financial assistance for closing costs the buyer has explored (see information on FDA and FHA loans)
If the application is approved, funds will be sent directly to the inspection business(s).
Instructions: Real estate agents will fill out and submit this online form, together with all required documentation (see form). Agents will receive a follow-up email from the reviewing committee. Agents – not the home buyer applying for funds – please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
The Joy Fund reviewing committee will contact buyers 3 months after funds have been awarded with a simple follow-up survey.
If you would like to make a donation to The Joy Fund to help other first-time home buyers with inspection expenses, please click here.