Here at Greenway Mortgage, our passion for homes and building community is mirrored in our charitable giving. We strive to make a difference to the communities we serve by giving back to local organizations and supporting local charities.

Throughout the years, giving back has been an important pillar of our mission. Greenway has supported dozens of local and national charities through donations and company-supported volunteer hours. For a Greenway team member, it’s about our community and the people who live in it. We also strongly support environmental issues, animal rescue/advocacy, and helping the homeless find a place to call home. 

Greenway Gives Back

This month, Greenway Mortgage is #givingback to the Jane Goodall Institute for our charitable donation. We have chosen this wonderful charity because of their mission in improving the lives of not only animals, but people and the environment, which is all near and dear to our hearts at Greenway Mortgage.

We sincerely hope that you’ll consider making a donation as well in solidarity to help support this amazing organization and the vital work they do to make our world a better place. 

About the Jane Goodall Institute

The Jane Goodall Institute is a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, they improve the lives of people, animals and the environment.

Many young chimpanzees end up as part of illegal exotic pet trade, abused and lonely. But, thanks to JGI, and the support of people making generous donations, these chimpanzees are able to live free and happy lives. Every donation goes towards protecting them, conserving critical habitat while strengthening surrounding communities, and empowering the next generation of conservation leaders. Simply put: it will save chimpanzees’ lives.

Your support for JGI can chance the course of the future for many chimpanzees. Every donation provides funds to:

• Eliminate the illegal commercial bushmeat trade.
• Stop deforestation.
• Provide a home for orphaned and inured chimpanzees.
• Expand critical research at the Gombe Stream Research Center to increase their understanding of chimpanzee behaviors.
• Engage the next generation by inspiring young people around the word to better understand their communities, encourage their curiosity about animals, and to take action.
• Protect the critically important Endangered Species Act.

More than 1.4 million acres of great ape habitat are now protected and over 5,000 chimpanzees and gorillas are thriving in habits JGI protects. In addition, 130 communities are supported through their community-centered conservation programs that engage local people in protecting the environment across chimpanzees’ habitat range.

We’ll leave you with a quote from Jane Goodall herself, “The future of the planet and humanity is in our hands”.

How You Can Help:

• Make a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute
• Make a donation through our Facebook Fundraiser here. 
• Learn More

Check out some of our recent giving back stories and learn more about our causes:

• Greenway Mortgage Breaks 2020 & Ends the Year on a High Note
• Girl Scout Troop 6000
• Greenway Celebrates National Cat Day Big
• Best Friends Animal Society
• National Pet Month
• Greenway Raises Money for National Pet Month
• The Greenway Team Volunteers at Lunch Break in Red Bank, NJ
• New Year’s Day Yoga Class to Raise Money for MCSPCA & Best Friends Animal Society
• Shark River Cleanup
• Learn about Our Causes

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When closing your refinance there are a few basics you need to know in advance. 

Your “payoff amount” is always higher than your remaining principal balance.

Your balance is the amount of remaining principal owed. Your payoff amount is the balance plus prorated interest from the last payment received until the loan is actually paid off.

The funding date is usually different from the closing date.

The government mandates a three-day rescission period for refinances of primary residences. Loan payoffs will not occur until the fourth business day post-closing. This will affect the payoff amount, the final payment date and the release of any cash.

Don't count on your existing escrow funds for closing.

If you have an escrow account for taxes and/or insurance, these funds will be held there until the current loan is paid off. Accordingly, unless funds for taxes due and/or a new escrow account are covered by the new loan, be prepared to advance this money at closing. It will typically take several weeks before your current escrow account funds are returned to you, so it pays to plan ahead.

As always, we’re here to help you with your transaction and to answer your questions. We want you to be comfortable with the process and understand it fully. Never hesitate to reach out.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a few of our favorite Girl Scout Cookies and by #givingback to those in need. 

If you’re looking for a Girl Scout troop to buy cookies from this year, order directly from Troop 6000 and you'll help support girls living in the New York City shelter system.

Stock up on some of your favorites by ordering yours online here from Troop 6000.

About Troop 6000

Troop 6000, founded in 2017 by Giselle Burgess, a single mom of five who lost her home, may seem like any other Girl Scout troop, however there is ONE big difference that sets them apart. Troop 6000 is specially designed by Girl Scouts of Greater New York to serve the thousands of girls living in the New York City shelter system and provide a greater source of consistency for girls transitioning from the shelter system to more permanent stability. In fact, many of the girls in Troop 6000 (some as young as 5) are-or have been-homeless.

According to Today.com, an estimated 70,000 people live in the city’s homeless shelters; the average stay is 18 months before families transition to permanent housing. During that transition, Troop 6000 helps girls enjoy close friendship and plenty of support.

The group meets weekly in more than 20 shelters across the five NYC boroughs.

• Their mission: To instill girls with courage, confidence and character.
• Their long-term goal: To expand their program across New York City so that Girl Scouts can meet in shelters across the city.

How Can You Help?

• You can donate directly to the girls by visiting girlscoutsnyc.org/donate and selecting Troop 6000, or you can stock up on some irresistible Girl Scout Cookies by ordering yours online here from Troop 6000.
• 100% of the proceeds from each box of cookies sold by Troop 6000 supports their troop experience and is used to pay for things like badge activity supplies, uniforms, field trips, and trips to camp!

P.S. Not sure what to pair your favorite Girl Scout Cookies with? We've got you covered...Click here, you won’t be disappointed!

Eat. Share. Care.

After a string of record-breaking low mortgage rates last year, 2021 has ushered in a new direction for rates. Unfortunately, that direction is up.

It’s not all bad news though. Rates are rising due to expectations that trillions in new economic stimulus will spur a faster economic recovery.

The downside of recovery is inflation. And the investors that influence mortgage rates through the purchase of mortgage bonds really hate inflation. They’ll be less likely to buy the bonds, the bonds’ value will drop, and rates will rise.

Rates are moving from the lowest point ever. Even if they’re a little higher than last year, they’re still low by historical standards. If you’ve been waiting to secure a still-low rate for a home purchase or refinance, now may be the time to do so.

Want to see how your rate stacks up to national average rates and how much you may be able to save? Click here or on the image below. Remember, rates will vary based on your specific situation. You might even get a better rate than the average.

Things can change quickly, so reach out today and let’s discuss what may work for you. 888-616-9885.

Interest rates will eventually start to climb. When rates rise your affordability dwindles. This can hurt both buyers and sellers. 

In fact, rising interest rates can make the difference between locking in the home of your dreams TODAY or being locked out tomorrow.

Take for instance this example here:

A $1,000 monthly principal and interest payment finances less and less as rates rise.

As you can see, the corresponding loan amount for a $1,000 principal and interest payment dwindles as rates increase.

Think we’ll see higher rates?

History is rife with many examples of cyclicality in rates. Many economists expect inflation and interest rates to rise significantly once the real impact of all the monetary stimulus (money printing) is realized.

Bottom Line:

Locking in a rate at today’s low levels and owning assets like real estate and other commodities may safeguard you from rising rates and prices in the future.

Reach out to explore what options might be available for you! The Greenway Mortgage team is always happy to help.