WAUKESHA, Wis. -- Chicago, Ill. (December 3, 2004) – Amerihome Mortgage, a mortgage banker/broker company with offices in Chicago and Rosemont, Ill., has been approved as an Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) lender. Specifically, Amerihome is now eligible to offer IHDA's first-time homebuyer program and the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program.

With the first-time homebuyer Program, Amerihome can offer customers 30-year fixed-rate mortgages at below market interest rates. The program also offers a tax credit that can assist homebuyers in qualifying for a mortgage by reducing their federal income taxes.

"This is a huge opportunity for Amerihome Mortgage to reach out to homebuyers in Illinois who are looking to purchase for the first time," said Tom Leiber, sales manager in Amerihome's Rosemont Office. "IHDA's first time homebuyer Program offers loans with only 3 percent down, low closing costs, downpayment assistance, no credit score requirements, and fixed rates .25 to .50% under the market rate for 30-year fixed rate mortgages. It has been a very successful program in helping homeowners finance their American dream."

Amerihome, which is based in Brookfield, Wis., delivers highly personalized mortgage financing services through branch locations in the Midwest, Southwest and Northeast. Amerihome has strong investor relationships and a reputation as a knowledgeable, ethical and quality originator of agency FNMA/ FHLMC, commercial, and government FHA/VA loan products.

The company was recently listed in Broker Magazine's "Top 50 Brokerage Firms," ranking 19th in the nation. Amerihome was also ranked as the fifth-largest mortgage lender in Milwaukee by The Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee, and named a Future 50 Master Mettle winner by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.

Amerihome Mortgage can be found online at www.amerihomemortgage.com.