In order to encourage and facilitate the construction or rehabilitation of housing to be purchased by families of low and moderate income and the rehabilitation by or purchase of existing housing by such families, the Commissioner of Housing, notwithstanding the provisions of sections 8-120 and 8-121, is authorized (a) to enter into an agreement with any eligible developer desirous of erecting or rehabilitating moderate cost housing in a suitable location based upon plans, specifications and layout approved by the commissioner under the terms of which agreement the state may (1) on completion of each housing unit, take title to the same in the name of the state, but only if no eligible purchaser is immediately available, and pay to the developer the agreed price therefor and (2) sell and convey any such housing unit to an eligible purchaser; (b) upon such terms as the commissioner prescribes, to insure, in the name of the state, banks, trust companies, savings banks, mortgage companies, savings and loan associations and other financial institutions which the commissioner finds to be qualified by experience and facilities and approves as eligible for credit insurance, against losses which they may sustain as a result of first mortgage loans on moderate cost housing approved by the commissioner; (c) to make in the name of the state first mortgage loans at rates of interest to be determined in accordance with subsection (t) of § 3-20, but in no event in excess of five per cent per annum; (d) to make, purchase and hold in the name of the state first or second mortgage loans on housing owned by families of low and moderate income at rates of interest to be determined by the commissioner as provided in subsection (c), but in no event in excess of five per cent per annum; (e) to purchase land or to take the same by right of eminent domain in the manner provided by § 48-12; (f) in the event of default on any mortgage obligation created under this section, to foreclose or otherwise take title to and possession of the mortgaged property; (g) to sell at private or public sale any such acquired property, giving first preference to eligible purchasers as determined by regulations issued under § 8-84, and in connection with such sale to give, grant, convey, execute and deliver in the name of the state, by good and sufficient deed, title thereof. Such sale may be made for all cash, or for part cash and part purchase-money mortgage to be taken and held in the name of the state and to bear interest at the rate of five per cent per annum on the unpaid balance, with interest and principal payments to be made monthly, and with the principal to be amortized over a period not to exceed thirty years; (h) to enter into agreements with banks, trust companies, savings banks, mortgage brokers, savings and loan associations, service agencies and other institutions which the commissioner finds to be qualified to service mortgages. Under the terms of such agreement, not more than one-half of one per cent of the average principal balance each year shall be retained in payment for their services as mortgage brokers.