(a) For purposes of this section, “purchaser” has the same definition as provided in Section 987.53.

(b) Out of any money available in the Veterans’ Farm and Home Building Fund of 1943, the department may advance to any purchaser upon his or her application, and under the policies as the department may, from time to time, prescribe, sums for the purpose of paying taxes and assessments, or making permanent improvements, including permanent improvements for the purpose of increasing farm productivity, or for keeping in good order or repair, or for painting, redecorating, or remodeling, all buildings, fences, or other permanent improvements on, or the insuring against fire or other hazards, any building, fence, or other permanent improvement, or crops on the property being purchased from the department, or the department may advance to the purchaser moneys actually expended in so doing.

(c) Any of the money advanced to a purchaser by the department may be added to the deferred principal of the purchaser’s account and shall bear interest at the rate prescribed by the department and shall be repaid by the purchaser to the department under the conditions as it may prescribe.

(d) The moneys advanced may, in the discretion of the department, be in addition to the maximum purchase price of a farm or home as provided by the Veterans’ Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1974, as amended, and acts supplementary thereto.

(e) Any money required by the department to be paid for the purpose of taxes, insurance premiums, and other charges when they become due may be maintained by the department using the escrow accounting method in accordance with lending industry standards and the laws governing escrow accounts of this type.

(f) The department shall be the sole judge of the need and desirability of making advances or requiring payments by the purchaser under this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 465, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2003.)