Halpern & Associates Mortgage Corporation

Halpern & Associates Mortgage Corporation updated their website address.

In the early-20th century, the mail-order catalog Sears & Roebuck was the purchase & ship giant that Amazon is today. You could buy just about anything from this catalog, including a surprisingly large selection of homes. The homes would be delivered to your address in the form of materials, instructions, and sometimes even tools. Sears bragged that "Any man of reasonable strength, size, and intelligence can assemble a Sears & Roebuck home." The company sold close to 75,000 of these home kits!

The last time the real estate market was this fierce, the housing bubble burst, and America entered the Great Recession. Fortunately for everyone, the same devastating result is not expected this time around. This is because home financing practices are very different these days, there isn’t the same glut of houses there was in 2008, and price increases are pretty evenly distributed around the country. If you’re looking to buy, contact us today for your mortgage pre-approval!

There are different strategies to take depending on your reason for refinancing. For instance, if you want to pay off your mortgage faster, then refinance to a shorter-term loan. If you wish to lower your monthly payments, then refinance to a longer-term mortgage or the same term at a lower interest rate. If you want to lock in a lower interest rate, then refinance to a shorter-term mortgage or the same term at a lower rate. If you need cash in hand, then do a cash-out refinance. Contact us today to discuss your refinance goals, and let's find the best strategy for you!

In today's highly competitive market, working with the right realtor is crucial to your success if you want to win the bid on your dream home. As you'll likely be up against other motivated buyers, you need an agent on your side who understands your area’s market and can help you make the most competitive offer possible. Contact us today for our best local agent partner referrals!

When you’re renting, you’re already paying a mortgage – it’s just not your own. Why pay your landlord’s mortgage when you could be building your own wealth as a homeowner? Contact us today for your mortgage pre-approval!

June 2 is “National Leave the Office Early Day.” This annual holiday was founded in 2004 to raise awareness of the benefits of increased workplace productivity. Even if you’re working from home, it’s OK to call it a day a bit earlier and do something that brings you personal joy outside of your job!

In memory of many, in honor of all, thank you.

Cash to close is the total amount needed to bring to the closing table when purchasing real estate. It typically includes your down payment, fees, pre-paid taxes, homeowner's insurance, and any homeowners association fees that may be applicable. Cash to close is usually paid in the form of a wire transfer or a certified bank or cashier's check.

Housing inventory and lumber to build new homes aren't the only shortages that homebuyers are facing now. Crucial home-related goods, like appliances and furniture, are also currently in short supply. This is because the pandemic has impacted production in the U.S. manufacturing plants, as factories have to operate with fewer workers on site. Also, increasing home sales, new builds, and remodeling projects — and even homeowners spending more time at home — have all driven demand for these goods, creating scarcity. Keep this in mind if you’re planning to purchase new furniture or appliances, as you may need to place your orders several months in advance!

Changing your name, job, or salary, as well as applying for new credit cards or making a large purchase, are a few examples of things that can slow down your mortgage approval process. Wait until after your home loan closes before considering any of the above!

According to Redfin, for the 4-week period, homes on the market sold on average in 19 days, which is 16 days faster than the same period in 2020. If you’re looking to buy, contact us today for your mortgage pre-approval!

The annual percentage rate (APR) gives you the best picture of the total cost of your mortgage. APR is your interest rate plus ancillary charges and fees—such as closing costs and discount points- expressed as a yearly rate. By law, a loan's APR is always expressed as a percentage next to the interest rate.

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Although mortgage interest rates are creeping up a bit, they are still at historic lows. If you want to lower your monthly payments with a lower interest rate, now is the time to refinance. Contact us today to crunch the numbers for you and see how much you can save!

Most experts agree that it is worth refinancing if you can lower your mortgage rate by 1% or more. It may not sound like a lot, but over time your savings can add up. Contact us today to see if a refinance is right for you!

Start your homebuying journey today. Call to find out how you can get pre-approved!

When applying for a mortgage, lenders look at the money left over after your regular debts are paid to see how much you can afford for a monthly mortgage payment. An ideal DTI (debt-to-income ratio) for different mortgage programs is as follows: 36-43% for a conventional loan, 43% for an FHA loan, 41% for a USDA loan, and 41% for a VA loan. Some lenders allow higher ratios, though, if you have an excellent credit score, a large down payment, or high cash reserves. Contact us today to see which mortgage you can qualify for!

If you’re having trouble saving for a down payment to purchase a home, you might qualify for a down payment assistance program, which provides funds in the form of grants or loans, which you can use to pay your down payment and/or closing costs. Contact today to explore your down payment options!

Even though lenders will look at your credit history and credit score, it’s possible to get a mortgage with no credit history. Some loan programs, such as FHA, VA, and USDA, allow the use of non-traditional credit on a mortgage application. You could establish creditworthiness through things like utility, rent, insurance, and cell phone payments. Some conventional lenders may accept a 12-month history of rent and utility payments in lieu of a credit history, but not all. Contact us today to see if your creditworthiness can qualify you for a mortgage!

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Next to credit, steady income and employment are other significant requirements for mortgage approval. Most lenders require 24 months of consecutive employment before approving your home loan. This applies to self-employed borrowers, too, in which case you’d provide your business and personal tax returns for the previous two years to show consistent or increasing income. Contact us today to see if you can qualify for a mortgage!

According to Redfin, for the 4-week period, the median home-sale price increased 17% year over year to $335,613, an all-time high. If you’re looking to buy, contact us today for your mortgage pre-approval!

When considering a refinance, look at how many months it would take for you to recoup your closing costs on a refi, along with how long you’ll be staying in your home. If you can recoup closing costs within two years and plan to stay in your house for longer, the savings on interest means the math will likely work out in your favor. Contact us today to discuss your refinance!.

According to home improvement site Fixr, who surveyed 68 of the nation’s top influencers and designers about this year’s top color trends, grays are going out and being replaced with warm earth tones, which are known to help relieve stress. Are you looking to make big home improvements? Contact us today for your best financing solution!.
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Have you already started your home-buying journey? Call us today to find out what your first steps should be!