Greenway Mortgage has done it again, but better! We’re ending 2021 on a high note as we have raised over $30K in donations for the Halfway Home Animal Rescue Team.

With the help from all of you and Greenway's generous match, we raised over $30K for the Halfway Home Animal Rescue Team in just three days.

A BIG Thank You to All from Greenway Mortgage

Greenway Mortgage wants to thank everyone who donated and those that shared our fundraiser with friends and family!

A huge shout out and thank you to Caroline Manzo from the Real Housewives of New Jersey for supporting this cause and for helping us spread the word about our Giving Back Fundraiser on your social media platforms. You are a powerhouse of positivity, and we love it.

Everyone’s donations help in unspeakable ways and is greatly appreciated by Greenway Mortgage and the Halfway Home Animal Rescue Team. We hope that you will take great pride in the important difference that your gift makes for all the animals in need. We truly couldn't have done this without you!

A message from The Halfway Home Animal Rescue Team:

“Thank you from the bottom of our “Hharts” We are once again blown away by the generosity, the love, and the support of our team, our community, our friends, families, and your friends and families.

This shows us that you are watching what we’re accomplishing together for the animals, and that you’re fighting for them right alongside of us. It shows us that you care, but even more than that, it shows our animal friends that we ALL care.

We promise to never stop rescuing, and to continue to step up instead of giving up, even when the going gets hard.

To James and everyone at Greenway…your generosity, your compassion, and your friendship means the world to us. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve done…and what we have planned. Thank you, Thank You, Thank You everyone. We are truly blessed.”

About Halfway Home Animal Rescue Team (HHART):

"Halfway Home Animal Rescue Team (HHART) is a group of passionate animal advocates with many years of experience in rescue, animal care and welfare. Our years of working with shelter animals, and the challenges that they face daily, have inspired us to explore ways to do more for the individual and best interests of those animals most in need.

As we begin our journey, we will place our rescued dogs and cats into loving foster homes. We will focus on helping responsible families keep their pets, preventing animal hunger and suffering, and providing support wherever possible.

We are here to help. We look forward to assisting with any animal rescue, and to collaborating with other like-minded organizations to save as many animal friends as we can. Rescue is not a business...animals are individuals...not numbers. They are all special in their own way, and each deserves the chance to show us who they truly are. It is up to us to provide them with that chance."

Giving Back & Getting Involved – How Can You Help?

Giving back is very near and dear to our hearts here at Greenway Mortgage. If you would like to give back, consider making a donation to help all the animals in need. Your gift helps them provide lifesaving and life-changing medical care, then rehabilitate, and find the forever home these animals deserve. Please give what you can. No gift is too small!

Resources:

• You can learn more about Halfway Home Animal Rescue Team here.
• Make a Direct Donation today by clicking here. 
• Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Since the pandemic, the meaning of home has certainly changed for many Americans.

For renters, the feelings of security and stability have become more important. The financial benefits that come with rising home equity when owning your own home have become clearer.  

Many homeowners have decided that their home no longer meets some of their needs as finding spaces for a home office or a home gym has become an obstacle. The need for a home with more space inside and out is now significant as our homes have been operating 24/7.

There are still two main obstacles some homebuyers face when it comes to buying a new home and which include: the ability to save for a down payment and the ability to qualify for a mortgage at the current lending standards. However, there’s good news for borrowers in 2022 as the FHFA announced that they will be raising its conforming loan limits for prospective purchasers in 2022.

THE FHFA Increases its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022

The FHFA has significantly increased its Conforming Loan Limits for 2022. Sandra L. Thompson, FHFA Acting Director, explains in the press release that:

“Compared to previous years, the 2022 Conforming Loan Limits represent a significant increase due to the historic house price appreciation over the last year. While 95 percent of U.S. countie​s will be subject to the new baseline limit of $647,200, approximately 100 counties will have conforming loan limits approaching $1 million.”

What does this mean for borrowers?

This is great news for buyers and owners alike:

1. Buyers may be able to borrow more money through a conventional, typically lower-rate loan.

2. Owners may be able to refinance their "jumbo" loan to a lower rate conforming loan and possibly drop mortgage insurance, too.

3. Combining (or avoiding) smaller 1st and 2nd mortgages may now be an option.

4. The increase reaffirms the health of the housing market and your decision to invest in a home.

For all the specifics about the FHFA Conforming Loan Limit increase, click here.

The FHA also Increases Loan Limits for 2022

The increases will allow more borrowers to take advantage of FHA’s benefits:

1. Low down payment options

2. Lower total cash-to-close requirements with gift or seller contributions

3. More lenient and streamlined refinancing

4. Ability to combine purchase and rehab financing

5. In some high-cost areas, higher loan limits than conventional mortgages

For more specifics on FHA’s Loan Increase for 2022, click here.

Bottom Line:

Buying a home in 2022 has just become easier for you! Reach out to the experts at Greenway Mortgage to learn about your home buying options.

Are you getting gift money to use for the down payment of your new home? If so, here are a few things you must know before funds start changing hands.

The Donor:

The donor of the gift must be a family member, fiancé or domestic partner. They must prove  the ability to provide the gift. This proof can be a copy of their bank statement, a copy of the canceled gift check or a signed letter from their bank evidencing the availability of funds. The underwriter’s discretion is always at play here, so more than one of these items may be required.

The Gift Letter:

We will provide a form for the donor to complete and sign. It will include items such as the donor’s name, address and relationship to you; the donor's account information; the property being purchased; the dollar amount of the gift; and the date or approximate date of transfer, along with a statement that the funds are a gift with no expectation of repayment.

The Transfer:

Documenting the transfer is vitally important. The donor should give the gift in the form of a check or wire. If by check, make a copy then deposit it in the account that is already being used for verification of funds to close. DO NOT combine this deposit with any other incidental deposits. You should provide a copy of the deposit slip or confirmation and either an online update or the next account statement to evidence that the deposit cleared into the account.

Mortgage Programs You can Use Gift Money With: 

Some programs allow for the entire down payment to be in the form of a gift. Others may require that you have at least 5% of the purchase price from your own funds unless the total down is 20% or more. As these rules can vary or change at any time, never hesitate to consult with us for the specifics as they relate to your transaction.

Click here to learn about the different loan programs that allow borrowers to use gift funds towards their down payment. 

While documentation requirements may seem excessive at times, please remember that underwriters are simply following the rules to assure that your down payment is not borrowed and that any allowable gift funds are coming from acceptable sources.

Questions? Reach out to our team today! We are happy to help.

Helpful Resources:

• Greenway's FHA Down Payment Assistance Program

• How Much Do You Know About Down Payments? 

• Is Buying a Home with Little or No Down Payment Right For You

• First-Time Home Buyer Resources 

Want to create a home office to call your own? Before getting started you’ll want to take into consideration functionality as well as aesthetics. We’ve got some design tips to help you get started!

Location Is Key

Storage

Be sure to figure out how much storage you’ll need before you start planning. Instead of adding filing cabinets, maybe you could add shelves for a more stylish approach.

Furniture

Pick The Perfect Color 

Personalize Your Work from Home Office 

Make the office space your own- add a touch of you! Here are a few ideas:

·        Add photos of your family, friends, or pets

·        Add shelving around your work area

·        Add a chalkboard or a whiteboard for ideas or a vision board with your goals

·        Put up posters

·        Buy a plant for your desk

·        Add a clock

Tips for Funding Your Home Office

Wondering how you’ll be able to pay for this new home office? The cost of your home office will depend on many factors. For instance, will you be building a new office or renovating an existing space?

In our recent blog, you’ll find tips on how to fund your home office from using your savings to refinancing to using Greenway’s Home Renovation Loan. Click here for all the details.

Helpful Resources

·        Tips for Funding Your Work from Home Office

·        Create Your Work From home Office with a Renovation Loan

·        Greenway’s Home Renovation Loans

·        Home Refinance

·        A Cash-Out Refinance May be the Solution You Need for Your Renovation Needs

·        Contact Greenway Mortgage

·        Get a Free Pre-Approval

It’s a joyous, festive time of the year, holiday lights, cozy fireplaces, gift-giving, family/friend gatherings, outdoor activities, and never-ending cups of hot chocolate!! The holidays bring out the best in us by sharing, caring, and spreading joy to everyone. Even doing something small like volunteering your time or donating a gift can make a difference, but also transform the world into a better, happier place. We could all agree that everyone can use some of that right now.

Greenway Gives Back This Holiday Season:

The importance of giving back, especially during the holiday seasons is important to the Greenway Family. Spreading cheer and helping those in need is our mission.

After a year of chaos, anxiety and stress, many families could use a Christmas filled with joy. Some parents simply cannot afford to buy their children presents, while some children don’t have a family at all. With small acts of kindness, you can improve someone’s day.

Cue the Giving Pot…

The Giving Pot:

A female owned and operated business called the Ivy Mane had a great gift giving idea they named the Giving Pot. The idea behind it? 100% of the sales produced from the Giving Pot are used to purchase gifts for children in need this holiday season. Greenway Team Members personally purchased a Giving Pot on Tuesday, December 7th for this incredible cause and to help lift the spirits of those who need it most this year.

Together the Greenway Family collectively raised $700 for the Ivy Mane through purchases with the Giving Pot platform. In addition to the Greenway Team's support, some good friend of ours, contributed to the Giving Pot cause which brought our grand total to over $2K in wrapped presents for children in need this holiday season. Thanks to all who have supported! Your donations will help many children have a great holiday, this season!

How can you help?

We hope that you will consider purchasing a Giving pot among your gifts this year. You will be giving in more ways than one!

• Contribute by purchasing a Giving Pot – click here.
• SHARE!! Help spread the word to help more families
• Follow the Ivy Mane on Instagram and Facebook and be sure to check out their website for other gift giving ideas.

Let’s make a difference together. Spread the word of giving. Wishing you Happy Holidays from your friends at Greenway Mortgage.