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Cherry Hill, NJ Real Estate News

By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
Do you ever not have enough ammunition when heading into battle? Never!! For some of you, I been in the mortgage industry for over 14 1/2 years. To me, that’s a lot of miles per se. I consider myself well versed when it comes to FHA mortgages and I guess you could say an expert on them. But this is not the only thing that I do. I can actually do just about every kind of mortgage that is out there. Am I an expert on every single one of them? No, there are just too many out there. To be more specific, there are over a few hundred different types of loans that one could obtain, depending on how you break them down. Some of us have our own niches. But for the most part, I can determine my clients specific needs and make sure that they are placed in the best possible mortgage program. Discl...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
Piecing together your credit can sometimes be confusing. That's why you should always seek a qualified loan officer that is a FHA Expert. In all honesty, credit is not as difficult as it may seem and FHA has made it easier for you to qualify for your dream home. There are just some important facts that the average consumer needs to know.Several key facts : You don't need credit scores. No minimum credit scores. Non-traditional credit can be used.  Very flexible on credit issues when it comes to collections, charge-offs, judgment, and even liens. What an underwriter looks for usually is good established credit in the last 12 months. This is not written in stone, but definitely helps. The beauty about FHA loans is the fact that your credit could be less than perfect less than 12 months wh...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
  Look at the picture to your right. What do you see?  Earth as we know it now. Great....  Should you really care what the face of this picture looks like in 50 years? Maybe not because some of you might not be around. 100 years later, a century? Nah, I won't be around. But what about our kids? Nah, they'll be fine. It might be getting worse as we speak, but some scientists say that it could be several centuries before anything drastic happens. Okay, so... your children's children might be affected?(SEAL)  SELF COMMITMENT -- EDUCATION -- AWARENESS --  LIFEYes, I just made up seal. But possibly seal ourselves into our own fate. Help seal our children's children fate?  Definition of seal : to confirm or make secure, guarantee, assurance, to ratify.  by WesbterKey words and or phrases that...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
 Okay, so that's not the picture that you wanted to see. But how do you relate to information that the public can read, but might be misleading, once the true facts are revealed. What if someone called one of your family members an idiot? You wouldn't take too kindly to this. For those that know me, I don't take too kindly to it or appreciate it either. And I consider my clients like family.  And because I am so passionate in helping people obtain their dream when it comes to financing their home, I like to make sure that we are all on the same playing field.  I know life is not perfect nor fair. And yes, we all have our own opinions and thoughts, I certainly do. And I love a good debate. But how can someone make a statement in writing that is not true or many of the facts are left out....
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
I have been reading several blogs that talk about branding yourself or marketing yourself. But after reading these, they all seem to talk about the same thing. In reality, there is an actual difference between the two.A brand is a name, logo, slogan, and/or design scheme associated with a product or service. Brand recognition and other reactions are created by the use of the product or service and through the influence of advertising, design, and media commentary. From wikipedia.Marketing is one of the most important functions in business. It is the discipline required to understand customers' needs and the benefits they seek. In a nutshell it consists of the social and managerial processes by which products (goods or services) and value are exchanged in order to fulfill the needs and w...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
FHA will allow a co-signer that is not living in the house unlike conventional loans in which the borrower still needs to meet certain qualifying ratios even if they have a co-signer. This can be great for first time homebuyers. One thing that so many get confused no matter what type of loan they are applying for is that a co-signer with good credit can't overcome the bad credit of the primary borrower. Meaning that the co-signer with good credit can't get you a better priced loan. On FHA loans, 100% of the co-signer's income can be used no matter how much money the borrower makes. This also can help the borrower to achieve the maximum fha loan limits depending on what county that they are buying in. Each county has different mortgage amounts. And by having this co-signer, this can hel...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
Being homeless has been a growing concern for many decades and keeps growing. How does one define homeless? There are a few varying definitions because of how someone can be accounted for. The main definition is that of someone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. HUD (http://www.hud.gov/) has devoted a whole section to those that are Homeless. Sure, most won't have access to these types of sites, but we can certainly read up on them and educate ourselves. Why? One might just never know what could happen to you and your family. One example could be loss of job over night that would possibly leave you with monthly mortgage payments that you could not make. Which would lead to foreclosure and then no place to live. One reason why they can't put a good estimate tog...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
 Having fun?  Isn't it healthy to enjoy yourself, take a few vacations, and not be a workaholic? Easy said, but hard to sometimes do. Especially in the real estate business. Do you try to take a vacation?I try and make it a point to get away at least 1 week a year. This year, maybe I'll get to enjoy 3 trips. I don't have any kids, but I did get a shore house with my sister, her family, and my parents for a whole week. With 4 kids, so much to do sometimes, it can make you tired quickly.   If you take a vacation, how many of you take your lap top with you? Do you allocate time in the morning and just at night?  Do you have your cell phone near you at all times? Do you work twice as hard before you leave on vacation, so you don't have as much to do while on your trip? Every year we stay in...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
  How creative are you in your marketing strategies? Do you brand yourself? Do you change up your image? Your name?  How you brand yourself?I have been following Google since Christmas and how they change their logo on each holiday. The last one that I wrote about was in regards to Google + Earth Day = Marketing twist & creativity.    Today is the 4th of July which is also know as Independence Day. There is a lot of history that surrounds this day. And even though Google operates on a lower advertising budget than the top ten brands, they certainly add a flair to their branding. Conclusion : What can you learn from Google and how can you incorporate it into your marketing plan? Do you even have a marketing plan? Do you brand yourself? Do you change up the face of your web site at all?Ta...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
 How does your house look to the naked eye? Does it take a rocket scientist to figure out what might be wrong with the house that you are interested in? How do you go about looking for a home inspector? When should a home inspection be done? Should you do a home inspection even on a new construction property? Read what Marlene Bridges had to say : Before You Shop For A New Home - Get Help!So many questions, but what to do. When looking at home, ask your realtor for their opinion. They usually have a few home inspectors that they have a relationship with or who they can recommend. If you are having an appraisal done on the house, try and show up for that appraisal. Either ask this appraiser questions or try to get your home inspector to meet up at the same time with the appraiser.  Why i...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
Mortgages, are they that hard? Do you need to be a rocket scientist? No, no, and no. If a lender can't think they can do the loan or they run into problems prior to closing, why can't they let the client and the realtor know what is going on. Accountability? Professionalism? How about just plain and simple COURTESY. Is it that bad out there even more than ever because the market has slowed down for lenders? I know the market for many lenders has hurt them. Does that mean you should be stringing these consumers along that don't know for the most part? Who should the blame be placed on?  The lender? The consumer? The media?  I can honestly point the finger at each and everyone of them. Yes, even the consumer. Why? For believing everything a lender has to say and at least not asking one or...
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I have been out of town traveling the world, well maybe not the world, but I did get the chance to spend two weeks in lovely Southern New Jersey.  I had the opportunity to meet with a fellow Active Rainer at PJ Whelihan's Pub, in Maple Shade, New Jersey, and one of the most respected active members of the Active Rain Community, and no doubt many people throughout the United States as a "go to" loan officer, Jeff Belonger.  He was able to write about our experience, check it out.West meets East....... a face to face with Jonathan Vetter, loan officer.  Jeff summed up a lot about me very well.  I am an avid baseball fan, though I don't get to watch nearly as much as I would like because of my crazy life.  I have a 16 month old, I am sure you can understand!   I am going to highlight some ...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
BELONGER's MORTGAGE MENUMortgage Smorgasbord – Best Steaks World-WideWe only serve steaks. We have every steak imaginable. (100’s of loan products – You need a mortgage professional to help you understand your choices) APPETIZERS (wetting your whistle) Free Appraisal – Not a problem here. You will just get the dessert that we choose for you so we can pay for this item ourselves. Ever hear of the saying, nothing is free. I guess I could pay for your appraisal if I was making enough money off of you. Sure, it’s free. Costs can be hidden. You’ll pay for it somewhere.No closing costs – Easily marketed and eye catching. One of our best appetizers on the menu. But when we charge you for our mouth watering lobster tail, we will have to double the cost of the lobster. In mortgages, someone has ...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
The mortgage industry in itself can become perplexing at times. With rates changing daily, mortgage programs changing guidelines in midstream, and unscrupulous lenders and loan officers.... where do you go for good advice and guidance? Randy Prothero wrote a good blog, Why I do Not Recommend Out of State Lenders. If I am correct, the main focus was that Randy lives in Mililani, HI and that he has not had one lender from outside the area do a mortgage without any problems on the lenders side. Randy states, "Unfortunately I have not seen a single loan generated through an out of state loan officer go smoothly." Randy is not stating that loan officers can't handle out of state loans, even though some can't. And this is an issue also. He merely is stating that the out of state lenders are n...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
  You have a client that you are working with. You have been upfront and fair with them. But a day later you speak to them and they decide to use someone else's services because they were $500 cheaper.AAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH....... You aren't mad because you can't win them all. You are upset because you were the only one that was creative enough to show them a way to save money. Nobody else had done this for them as they were shopping. And as they were shopping you, they mentioned this to someone that hadn't thought about this ingenious way. So, how do you talk to this client afterwards. Do you let them just walk? Do you keep in touch with them to see how it turns out and be there just in case the other company slips up? How do you set the table per se for your client? Set the table? Yes....m...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
Will a FHA loan help you?  It's very possible and we'll talk more about that later. Are you throwing money out the window by renting? More than likely, yes. But this can be a complicated decision based on several different factors. Sure, you can try the many rent vs buy calculators online, but I have found so many not to be the same as the first one. Talk to a mortgage professional. When should you not buy a home?If your rent is very low. (usually 2/3 or less of your monthly payment)You intend to move in a few years. (unless you get into the house with no money out of pocket)Is this statement, "throwing your money away on rent", a myth? It certainly can be and here is why. When you buy a home, you still have expenses unlike renting.maintenance original closing costs when buying the home...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
 So, after reading the tips on first time homebuyers from Part 1 through Part 3, you think it sounds pretty complicated. So much to focus on and so many things to remember. Not really. Remember, having trusted professionals surrounding you is half the battle. We'll take care of the rest, as long as you listen to us and follow our advice.   I have talked about needing the help of a loan officer. What you also need is the help of a trusted Real Estate agent. Again, asking for a referral from friends and family is a great place to start. You can also search the net and read up on a few realtors, as you are doing here on Active Rain.    Now, I know this might sound redundant, but you need to have some money saved. It doesn't matter if you want to put no money out of pocket and if you would ...
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
 Which side of the fence are you on? I ask this because I just wrote a blog on HUD getting rid of the down payment assistance programs. Some of the arguments being made is that everyone would be better off with the 100% financing programs, even through HUD/FHA's 100% program. That the DPA's (down payment assistance) programs should be banned. First off, FHA doesn't have a 100% financing program as of yet, which was mentioned in the previous blog. It still needs to be voted in by the 110th Congress.  Second,  FHA does have some things approved, but it's up to Congress to decide.  (this link will take you to another blog to continue this discussion)  
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By Jeff Belonger, The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans
( Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)
Consumer -  "I have been approved for that mortgage." Me (loan officer) - "How do you know this for sure?" Consumer - "Because I was told by the loan officer that they ran it in their system and it came back with an approval."  Me -  "That sounds great. So did you show them all of your information, your pay stubs and bank statements?" Consumer - "No, they had my information from before."  Me -  "Okay, I am confused. They said that you are approved, but they didn't physically see any of your W-2's, pay stubs, or even your bank statements?"  Consumer - "No.....  what's the big deal then?" Me -  "Sorry for the chuckle, but you aren't approved. Let me explain to you the whole process from start to finish."    I wrote this blog a few weeks ago :The difference between a Pre-Approval and a Pr...
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Are you looking for something to do with your kids?  Want something that will be fun and educational?  You'll find what you need at the Garden State Discovery Museum, located in Cherry Hill, NJ.With various activities and exhibits designed for infants and kids up to age 10, both you and your children will keep coming back for more.  All exhibits are interactive and invite kids to touch and explore.  The Museum was named as one of the Top 20 Children's Museums in the country by Child Magazine.  It was also awarded by the Best of Philly in 2001.  Set to open this Friday is a mock mini-ice rink set to resemble the ice that the Philadelphia Flyers play on at the Wachovia Center.  All you need is a pair of socks and an imagination to play like the pros!  For more information:Garden State Dis...
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