New Jersey Mortgage and Home Loan Information

Reverse Mortgage Scams

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:20:14 -0400

Reverse Mortgage Scams

(Alternate title: Dealing with My Stupid Criminal Loan Officer Peers)

I wish I could say that this was a "stupid criminal" situation like Jay Leno loves to see. It is not. If you would like to get really ticked off, read on. I received a call two days ago from a reverse mortgage client of mine. They closed about a year ago. Mr. Jones (as we will call him) called me to ask me this question:

"I recieved a call today from a loan officer. He said that the mortgage company that we closed our loan with went out of business, and that we need to sign new paperwork. He said he was going to send us a new mortgage package. He told us to just sign everything and send it back. Is this right and should we sign?"

Does it make you start to wonder how many seniors are scammed this way?

Just in case you are wondering, once a loan is closed, you can have 1,000 banks go out of business. YOU DON'T NEED to resign anything. This scenario above is a complete scam. And I hope it makes you as irrate as it makes me!

One would hope that after all the industry changes in the past year that the scum in this business would be gone. Nope. They just have invented new ways to crush someone to make a fast buck.

The great news is that Mr. Jones still had my number handy and called me first. That move just saved him $1,000's plus massive heartache. (the LAST thing a senior in his late 70's needs!!) I plan to have Mr. Jones tell the loan officer to send that new loan package out, so that I can then go personally pick it up, and forward the same scenario to any and every banking official I can get a hold of.

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com | NMLS ID: 218007

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Don't Blame the Underwriter - Blame the Loan Officer!

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:33:44 -0500

Don't Blame the Underwriter - Blame the Loan Officer!

Steve are you out of your mind? Aren't you a loan officer?

There has been recent conversation about underwriting and underwriters and how grossly depraved and wicked they are - denying loans, taking a shotgun to files, stripping them of all their dignity ...

But as a loan officer that is experienced with both the broker side and the banking side of mortgage lending, I am here to say more times than not ...

BLAME THE LOAN OFFICER

We loan officers are on the front lines. It can be wickedly brutal out there. We work our brains and hands to the core to obtain business, and when we finally get the business in the door do you think we would ever admit that we made a mistake? (We all know what the answer should be, as well as the factual answer).

Enter the mythical creature known as the underwriter!!!

(Excerpt from an unknown work of Plato)

"The underwriter was born in the underworld, the offspring of Barney Frank and Michael Moore. (The one pictured above is actually a quite beautiful one). Underwriters are so mean because they never see light, they are fed LOTS OF CRAP, and people want them to be God and approve horrendously looking files that were DOA. "

The reality is as mentioned above. Loan officers more times than not are to blame when "files go wild". But as typical (oh that hurts) salespeople, loan officers think they are never wrong, always right, and you shouldn't question their authority. HOWEVER the mythical underwriter to blame is a wretched, depraved being that lives only to deny potential home owners from ever living the American Dream. After all, if the underwriter is damned to the underworld, he/she is not letting anyone else experience happiness.

WHAT REALITY SHOULD BE

LOAN OFFICERS SHOULD

Set the right expectations from day one
Write REAL pre-approvals
Be in constant communications
Be human
Under promise and over deliver
Take off the "Sales Hat" and be more professional
Be able to admit a mistake
Allow direct contact with underwriters so the truth can be told (yeah right)

REALTORS SHOULD

Proactively provide sales contract and anything else important to the loan officer as fast as possible. (I've had agents send over contracts 2 weeks after being fully executed).
Listen to the loan officers regarding time lines, stipulations, potential pitfalls (assuming the LO does his/her homework)
Attempt to work with the same lenders and get a really good feel and working relationship under their belt (wonderful long term success)
Take initiative for their buyers and sellers and be in constant communication with the loan officer (agents on both sides of the transaction)

We could go on forever with tips and ideas. The fact is that a knowledgeable experienced loan officer is the most important part of the financing wheel ... more important than the underwriter, the lender itself, the appraiser, the rate, the closing costs ... (you get the point). Some of us have learned the hard way ...

Garbage in = Garbage out

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

New Jersey First Time Home Buyer Programs and Options

Sat, 29 May 2010 11:23:23 -0400

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) mortgage interest rates as of May 10, 2010. This includes the Smart Start NJ First Time Home Buyer Program.

Smart Start allows a home buyer to obtain the required downpayment for an FHA loan. As an example, a home buyer purchase a home for $100,000. Their required down payment would be 3.5% (or $3,500). In this situation their loan amount would be $96,500. The Smart Start program offers the buyer 4% of the loan amount or in this case $3,860. ($96,500 x 4%). This covers all of the required down payment for an FHA loan and even puts some money towards the closing costs (which the seller can pay the rest if negotiated correctly).

First Time Home Buyer 30 Year Term

5.250% - First Mortgage with no Smart Start assistance

5.625% - First Mortgage with 2% Smart Start assistance

5.750% - First Mortgage with 3% Smart Start assistance

6.000% - First Mortgage with 4% Smart Start assistance

The 40 year team requires an additional add-on of .125%

Home Plus

5.625 with 3 points

Purchase/Rehabilitation Mortgage Program

5.625 with 3 points

Other NJHMFA options include Police and Fire Loans and Live Where You Work. Steve Kappre and Treasury Mortgage are an approved and servicer of NJHMFA Smart Start loans.

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com | NMLS ID: 218007

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

NJ First Time Home Buyer Program Income Limits

Thu, 27 May 2010 22:24:01 -0400

Smart Start and other NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency options have a strong place in the real estate market in South Jersey, and these are great loans for NJ First Time Home Buyers, Police and Fire loans, Live Where You Work, and more. As you can see the income limits are rather generous and allow the majority of first time home buyers to have down payment assistance options. Indeed, most first time buyers can get into a home and can recieve funds to cover the entire down payment needed (as is the case of a 3.5% down payment requirement for an FHA loan).

You must work with an approved lender (like Treasury Mortgage) for this option, and the mortgage and the assistance program are all one program and must be utilized as such.

Via Andrea Kappre, Gloucester County Realtor | Real Estate Agent | Homes for Sale (Century 21 Hughes-Riggs Real Estate Company):

NJ First Time Home Buyer Program Income Limits

The State of New Jersey has raised the income limits by several thousand dollars for their First Time Home Buyer Mortgage Program (NJ HMFA Smart Start Program). The income limits are even higher for households with three or more members. A great amount of the NJ population can benefit from this program to assist them in purchasing their first home.

For more information about NJ First Time Home Buyer Assistance Programs or about Gloucester County Home Buyer Assistance Programs contact Andrea Kappre at 856-419-3560 or andreakappre@yahoo.com.

Andrea Kappre is a Realtor in Gloucester County NJ, helping buyers and sellers to successfully accomplish their real estate goals. For your own customized MLS search of homes for sale in Gloucester, Salem or Camden County or other South Jersey areas, Click the Search the MLS link below or call or e-mail Andrea Kappre now. You can visit Andrea on the web at www.AndreaKappre.com

Contact Andrea Kappre at 856-419-3560 or AndreaKappre@yahoo.com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

NJ HMFA Smart Start Lender - First Time Home Buyer Programs

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:54:32 -0500

NJ HMFA Smart Start Lender - First Time Home Buyer Programs

Whether NJ first time home buyers utilize the available programs or not, every home buyer and Realtor need to know about these options. The main program that is offered by HMFA (Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency) of New Jersey is called the Smart Start program.

The Smart Start program is available for first time buyersand allows for down payment assistance or 2, 3, or 4 percent (%) of the loan amount. As an example, if you were financing $100,000, you could receive a grant of up to $4,000. The interest rate changes based on what assistance percentage is chosen.

The assistance can be used for closing costs or a down payment, or both. Often a home buyer with a little money in the bank can keep their money for after settlement and utilize both the down payment assistance program option and seller concessions. This creates a safer environment for a new home buyer as more of their own money can be kept in the bank.

The Smart Start program has income restrictions. As of 2/27/10 a first time buyer can make as much as $85,600 per household, and the limits go up depending on the county and the number of people in the household. (See Chart).

Although HMFA offers this program and many others like it, HMFA does not approve and finance these mortgages themselves, an approved HMFA mortgage lender such as Treasury Mortgage (A Division of Aurora Financial Group) would write, approve, and close these loans. In fact Aurora is one of only two firms that service these loans so you can do everything under one roof, which is better for everyone.

If you or someone you know is a first time home buyer, or if you are a Realtor, you owe it to yourself to know about these programs. They are not for everyone, but they are a wonderful fit for some and can make the first time home buyer experience a great one.

Some other HMFA options are the Tax Prefund Program, Live Where You Work, Police and Fireman's Loan, and more

Lastly, be quite sure to work with a loan officer and lender that are very experienced with this program. If they are not writing HMFA Smart Start loans every month (be sure to ask them) then you are probably dealing with the wrong people!

Call, text, or write for more information or to be pre-approved for these programs.

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

South Jersey Real Estate Professionals: Handling the Delicate Home Buying Process with Confidence

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:48 -0400

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Gloucester County Realtor and Loan Officer Team

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:12:16 -0400

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Amherst Farms in Mickleton | Gloucester County, NJ | 4+ Bedroom Homes, Large Yards, Perfect Location

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:58:33 -0400

Amherst Farms in Mickleton | Gloucester County, NJ | 4+ Bedroom Homes, Large Yards, Perfect Location

If you are looking for a great place to live in Gloucester County, with perfect access to 295, Delaware, and Philly, but just far enough away from it all, check out Amherst Farms in Mickleton, NJ (Gloucester County).

Located in a more private setting with large yards, these 4+ bedroom homes are only a few years old and have the kind of accents and appointments that higher-end homes require; Molding and trim through-out the entire house, 2-story family rooms, English and walk-out basement options, acre lots, wooded settings, sunrooms, 2-3 car garages and more.

There is a huge common area complete with playsets for younger kids, a large walking path, a backstop and over-sized baseball field, and a huge wooden bridge over a beautiful stream area complete with the wildlife you would expect to find in a more rural setting.

All pictures on this page were taken at some area of Amherst Farms. The majority of the wildlife pictures were taken in front or back yards, except for the turtle (who was just outside the development trying to "cross the street"!)

All pictures taken by Steve Kappre

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Home for Sale in Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County) | 4 Bedroom Newly Renovated Colonial | For Sale By Owner

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:32:17 -0400

Home for Sale in Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County) | 4 Bedroom Newly Renovated Colonial | For Sale By Owner

Put this one on your list of homes to see! Two story colonial that is newly renovated with 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 2 car garage, Central Air and Heat and more! Call for a tour today.

1909 Birchwood Park Drive North

Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Two Story Colonial Newly Renovated

Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Contact Me

Richard DeGrace

Daytime:609-209-3700 Evening:609-209-3700 eMail:Contact

Price : $324,900 Bedrooms : 4 Bathrooms : 2.5 Community : Point of Woods County : Camden Property Type : FSBO

click for more information and pictures

Property Description Lovely 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath Colonial home has just been renovated. New Eat in Kitchen with a sliding door to the large, fenced in back yard. The family room has a fireplace with a full brick wall and mantel. This home also has a formal dining room and living room. New bathrooms with ceramic tile. On the second level this home has plenty of space for your family with generously sized bedrooms and large master suite with private bath. The full finished basement is also a great area for the family. Other amenities include a large laundry room/office, 2 car garage, central air and gas heat.

Features List

NEW KITCHEN

NEW BATHROOMS

KITCHEN GRANITE

FOUR BEDROOMS

2.5 BATHS

FENCED IN YARD

TWO CAR GARAGE

FIREPLACE

FINISHED BASEMENT

GAS HEAT

CENTRAL AIR

CERAMIC TILE BATHS

NEW CARPETS

NEW WINDOWS

NEW SIDING Equal Housing Opportunity.

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Home For Sale By Owner in Mickleton, NJ - Amherst Farms (East Greenwich)

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:01:32 -0400

Home For Sale By Owner in Mickleton, NJ - Amherst Farms (East Greenwich) Looking for a property that screams location, location, location? Here is an opportunity to own a 4-bedroom home in Mickleton New Jersey. Just 3 years old and ready to move in!

200 Hopkins Road

Mickleton, NJ 08056

For Sale By Owner in Amherst Farms, Mickleton, NJ

Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Contact Me

Steve

Daytime:856-419-3561 Evening:856-419-3561 eMail:Contact

Price : $599,000 Bedrooms : 4 Bathrooms : 3.5 Square Foot : 4,200 Lot Size : 32,670 Community : Amherst Farms County : Gloucester Property Type : FSBO Year Built : 2007

click for more information and pictures

Property Description 2 story home with walk out basement on wooded premium lot. Property backs up to preserved land with enourmous yard and mature trees. Quiet street located conveniently close to 295 with easy commute to Philly and Delaware. Gourmet kitchen with 42" maple cabinets, double oven, corian, large center island, and walk-in pantry. Separate laundry room. There is rough plumbing in the unfinished basement for a full bath. Storage galore in the huge basement (approx. 2,000 sq.ft). Double-hung windows t/o entire home. Two car side-entry garage with insulated door. Call for a tour. Features List

4 Bedrooms

3.5 bath

Full Basement

Florida Room

Sunroom

Gourmet Kitchen

Princess Suite

Jack-n-Jill Bath

Master Suite

2-Story Family Room

Fireplace

2-Story Foyer

Hardwood Floors

3 Zone Heat/AC

1st Floor Office

Crown Molding t/o

Wainscotting

Walk-out Basement

Family Room

Living Room

Formal Dining Room Equal Housing Opportunity.

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Spruce Up Your Gloucester County NJ Home's Landscape

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:30:46 -0400

Michael's Florist and Greenhouse of West Deptford Can Help You Spruce Up Your Gloucester County Home and Landscape!

Whether you are buying a new home or sprucing up your current home, having a great landscape is an important part of home ownership, and it s certainly important when buying or selling a home. A front yard that "pops" when a buyer first drives up can be a huge benefit.

I've trusted Michael William's Florist and Greenhouse for the last 2 years and plan to do a sizable overhaul of my own landscape. That is one of the reasons I dropped by his place located in West Deptford, NJ. The pots at right are a client's own that Mike has help set-up with just the right size and type.

One of the most welcoming aspects of purchasing plants at Michael's is that he always gives some easy to remember advise on how to care for the plants. Many of us do not have a green thumb, and so a little advise goes a far way.

Well the season is just beginning and as you can see by the pictures here (all taken at Michael's), little stems and buds are starting to pop all over the place. There are plants for decoration, others for eating (you simply CAN NOT beat a Jersey Tomato!), and even others for helping control pests.

Michael's is currently preparing for their opening on April 1st, so that they can help you prepare for all of your plant, garden, and landscaping needs!

Driving Directions

From 295 South: take exit 20. Make a right onto Mid Atlantic Parkway. Make a left at Crown Point (Route 44) and then an immediate left on Fowler Road. Nursery is at the end of the road.

From 295 North: Take exit 20. Make a left at the light onto Mid Atlantic Parkway. Head straight to the light on Crown Point Road (Route 44). Make a left, and then an immediate left onto Fowler Road. Nursery is at the end of the road.

Call Mike @ 856-848-3945

E-mail Mike @ mikewh328@verizon.net

- - - - - - - -

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Do Not Accept Offers from Buyers Pre-Approved for USDA Financing

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:54:11 -0400

Should Realtors Advise Their Clients to Not Accept Offers from Buyers Pre-Approved for USDA Financing?

If you don't know by now, USDA plans to be out of funds by the end of April of this year. So the question begs to be asked; Should listing agents advise their sellers go under contract with buyers purchasing using a USDA mortgage?

Without doubt there is a portion of buyers that can only finance a home using 100% USDA financing. Even the 3.5% FHA required down-payment is too much for some buyers. So should buyers be required to also be approved for alternate financing? Some lenders refuse to even write these loans out of fear. Or maybe ignorance.

With the first time buyer tax credit coming to an end soon, and most likely the number of home buyers thinning to some degree, all bases should be covered. At the very least a lender, buyer, and Realtor should all be on the same page and have their buyer's facts disclosed. If a buyer can only utilize USDA financing, then everyone needs to notified of how fast things must move, and the potential negative consequences.

USDA financing is a fanastic program. Denying a home buyer and seller to go to contract out of fear can be just as bad as going into a contract blindly. Lay out the facts; No surprises for buyer or seller. Keep the lines of communication constantly open. The reality is that you may have only one buyer to ever go under contract for a particular home. Can you risk saying "no"?

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Will I Get a Better Interest Rate with a Higher Credit Score?

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:34:39 -0400

Will I Get a Better Interest Rate with a Higher Credit Score?

by Steve Kappre, NJ Loan Officer

The simple answer: Maybe, but there are many variables.

As a rule of thumb, the higher the credit score the better the rate you will receive (or the less fees you will pay). This is most relevant when talking about conventional loan programs. For the best rates and options you want a credit score of 740 of more.

What can make my rate higher?

Credit scores below 740
A property's status: Second home or investment property loans
Type of property: Condo vs. single family vs. mobile home vs. multi-unit
Loan amount: Conforming loan vs. jumbo vs. super jumbo

And the list can go on and on. Each variable can add to the interest rate and/or the cost of the loan. Some combinations can get very expensive as well as very limiting on your financing options.

FHA and VA loans are different than conventional. Many lenders will be able to offer the same rate for an FHA or VA loan if you have a 620 or better credit score. Some lenders will require a 660 or better credit score to get a better rate (or less fees).

What you may find from lender to lender is that the rates offered or the options allowed may fluctuate for the exact same program and financing scenario. On top of the guidelines that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, or VA set, lenders may place their own restrictions, commonly known as lender overlays. Lenders can go as far as to not allow certain loan options even though FHA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac may allow the option themselves.

Keep doing you research. If you find yourself getting different answers to the same questions, you are probably talking to either loan officers that do not know what they are talking about, or one or more lenders you are talking to are telling you their guidelines based off of their particular lender overlays.

So the final answer is ...

Higher credit always helps - but isn't always required to get the best rates. Many lenders can offer the same rates for certain loans whether your credit score is 620, 720, or 820.

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

Zero Down Mortgage Options for New Jersey May Soon End

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:26:10 -0500

Zero Down Mortgage Options for New Jersey May Soon End

by Steve Kappre, NJ Loan Officer

One of the strongest loan options for buyers these days is the USDA Mortgage Loan, which has some great features such as 100% financing (zero $$ down) and NO MONTHLY mortgage insurance. It also allows home sellers to pay for most or all of a buyers closing costs.

Some may think this loan is too risky to even consider, but there are checks in place. In fact, this program has common sense guidelines such as debt ratios that can't be "out-of-whack" and some minimum credit score requirements. It also requires full documentation of income, assets, job history, etc.

Here is the bad news ...

When a USDA loan is written for a home buyer, there is a guarantee for the mortgage that is "locked in" once the loan is approved. The issue right now is that USDA estimates that it will be out of money around late April of 2010, which means that this great financing option will no longer be available, at least until the government decides to allocate more money to this program.

What to do now?

If you require this type of financing, than you need to get under contract ASAP on a home. Let us look at an example time-line; If USDA is out of funds by the end of April ... and it takes 2-3 weeks to fully approve a USDA loan ... and it takes one week to negotiate a contract for a home and have it signed by all parties ...

That puts us at the middle-to-end of March ... or RIGHT NOW.

Some buyers will be counting on the USDA loan and the first time buyer tax credit, and with even just a little delay or hiccup can miss out on everything.

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance

The End of NJ First Time Buyer Mortgages for Buyers Below 620 FICO Scores

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:16:48 -0500

The End of NJ First Time Home Buyer Mortgages for Buyers Below 620 FICO Scores

by Steve Kappre, NJ Loan Officer

It was a nice run while it lasted, and over the last 6-12 months we were effectively able to put quite a few NJ first time home buyers into homes. As of March 15, 2010, NJ HMFA (Smart Start, Tax Prefund, and other options) will not allow a borrower to have a middle credit score below 620.

Another tightening of guidelines will no longer allow buyers to use alternative credit and have no credit score. In the past, a lender could fund such a loan by placing 4 trade-lines that were not already on a credit report (i.e. cell phone bill, auto insurance, gym membership). Now if this is done and there still is no credit score, the loan can not be approved per NJ HMFA guidelines.

It is another blow in the world of mortgage financing.

There ARE some good buyers out there that have credit scores slightly below 620 that would make solid home owners. It is unfortunate that these guidelines restrict otherwise solid home owners. But the line has to be drawn somewhere. This makes the knowledge and understanding of credit scores and reports more important than ever!

With the end of NJ first time home buyer programs for buyers with credit scores below 620, it is more important than ever to work with a highly qualified, local mortgage loan officer. If your credit is marginal or below 620, call today for advice on how to raise your score to qualify for the Smart Start, Tax Prefund, or other HMFA program.

Credit Links

Credit Scoring - What Makes Up My Credit Score? (1 of 6)

Credit Scoring - Payment History (2 of 6)

Credit Scoring - Balances (3 of 6)

Credit Scoring - History (4 of 6)

Credit Scoring - Mix of Accounts (5 of 6)

Credit Scoring - Inquiries (6 of 6)

Steve Kappre is a mortgage loan officer in New Jersey. For more info or questions feel free to contact Steve.

NJ First Time Home Buyer
Purchase, refinance, rehab loans
Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, HMFA, First Time Home Buyer, Police and Fire, Live Where You Work, and more

Call direct @ 856-419-3561 | Subscribe to Steve's blog via e-mail | NJ Loan Officer .com

Treasury Mortgage - 550 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua, NJ 08051 - 1810 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance