Q: Is there a penalty for selling your house before the three year are up on your housing grant?

A: There may be. Many community development block grant loans have special terms and conditions attached to them.

With some, you’ll have to share the appreciation. With others, you’ll have to pay back a fee that is a certain percentage of the loan’s value — like a prepayment penalty.

Take a look at the documents you had at the closing and try to see what it says about paying off the loan early.

If the penalty is too costly, consider sticking around until the penalty period is up.

For more details, please consult a real estate attorney or call the nonprofit association or housing agency that helped you with the purchase.