home equity

Performance Property Real Estate Question

203K Mortgage Loan Risk To Home Buyers

Q: I’m trying to buy my first home. I am really excited because I actually found a home that’s within my price range. The house is a fixer upper that needs work but my mortgage broker said I can still get a mortgage for it and I can actually borrow the money as part of my mortgage to make the repairs. Do you think that’s a good idea? Susan, Bloomfield, NJ A: Your mortgage broker is likely referencing a type of construction loan for residential home buyers called a 203K. Section 203(k) insurance allows homebuyers to finance both the purchase of a house as well as the cost of its renovation through one single mortgage. Conceptually, a 203K loan is […]

3 Benefits & 3 Drawbacks Of Reverse Mortgages

Q: Gerald, you previously mentioned some of the disadvantages of reverse mortgages, are there any advantages? Hillary, Washington D.C. A: A reverse mortgage is a special type of home equity loan sold to homeowners aged 62 and older. Here are 3 advantages of reverse mortgages: It takes part of the equity in your home and converts it into cash payments The money you get is usually tax-free and generally won’t affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits. The loan doesn’t have to be repaid until you or your spouse sells the home, moves out, or dies. Here are 3 disadvantages of reverse mortgages: When you get a reverse mortgage, you don’t receive the full value of loan Higher-than-average closing costs, […]

Underwater Homeowner Numbers Continue to Drop

The population of underwater homeowners with no home equity in the US has dropped by nearly 1 million borrowers since last year. This marks the first time the number of underwater homeowners has dropped below 2 million since 2006.

How Many US Homes Are Still Underwater?

Q: Gerald, I keep hearing in the media that home prices are skyrocketing. We bought our home at the height of the last market bubble in 2006 and I still don’t think we have any home equity. How many US homes are still underwater? Monica, Las Vegas, NV A: Good question, Monica. As of the 1st quarter 2017, over 5 million U.S. properties, almost 10% percent of all properties, were considered seriously underwater. That number is down more than 15% from a year earlier but that’s still quite a bit of people who are underwater. Some areas, like the rust belt in the Midwest for example, tend to have a higher percentage of underwater properties than other areas of the […]

Refinance Your Mortgage Even With No Equity

Q: Gerald, interest rates are still very low, but I bought my home 10 years ago at the height of the real estate market bubble and I still don’t have any equity. Is there a way for me to refinance and take advantage of these low rates? Aaron, Worcester, MA A: Good question, Aaron. If your mortgage loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you may qualify for HARP refinancing with the Home Affordable Refinance Plan (HARP). The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) was created to help homeowners who are current on their mortgage payments, but have little to no equity in their homes, refinance their mortgage. So, if you owe as much or more than your home […]

Equity Returning to Housing Market

One million borrowers regained home equity In 2015.

Testimonials

“Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for your good advice. We were able to work things out with our lender and get our mortgage loan caught up and current.”

Vaughn | Westfield, New Jersey

“Good afternoon, Gerald, I appreciate you for staying consistent and helping me with my mortgage lender for the last few months. The free guide you gave me helped us figure out the right path to take. I finally got all the money to make my loan current by the end of the week.”

Stephen Brunson | Plainfield, New Jersey

“Sir Gerald Lucas..my Knight who rescued me from the prison of Rushmore. At last I feel freedom to stop worrying about keeping myself financially afloat. You came into my life and gave me peace of mind. I will always remember your kindness and generous spirit. You are daily in my thoughts and prayers. May your gratuitous services to me be The Blessing it was,and may you be rewarded with many Blessings in return. I prayed to God for help and He sent YOU. Much love.”

Mary Elizabeth Robinson | Wilmington, Delaware

“Hi Gerald I just want to take this moment to thank you and express my gratitude for a job well done. When I thought that everything was lost you appeared and delivered hopes. Your professionalism and endurance are out of this world. Thank you thank you. I will always be grateful.”

Berkis Castro | Clifton, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for helping me. My property was haunting me for quite sometime. We tried for so long to sell but couldn’t. My family and I never thought we would resolve this problem so easily, but you facilitated the whole process and made it swift and painless. We can’t thank you enough for this.”

Sal Rizzo-Cascio | Jersey City, NJ

“Thank you so much for all your work, effort and time you put in helping me. I think things went really smoothly, way better than I’d hoped for! I’m sure it’s because of you. I really appreciate all of your help!”

Bridget Hieronymus | Jersey City, New Jersey

“I was not able to pay my mortgage and the Bank started the Foreclosure proceedings against me. I spoke with Performance Property about their process and they gave me hope. They were very diligent and did all the negotiations on my behalf. They were very professional, sincere and hardworking. I would recommend Performance Property’s services to anyone.”

Samuel Manoharan | North Bergen, New Jersey

“My family and I want to thank you so much for helping us. You did an outstanding job negotiating with our bank and keeping us informed. Thanks to your help, I now have more money to pay down bills and repair my credit.”

Marko Shafik | Bayonne, New Jersey

“If you find yourself in my situation, I highly recommend Performance Property. Always attentive, thoughtful and understanding, Performance Property will keep you informed every step of the way and will not rest until the job is done.”

Sean Daughtry | Jersey City, New Jersey

“As I began my morning today, I came to the conclusion that it was the dawn of a brand new start for my family. The burden is finally behind us. I have you to thank for that. You stuck by us, slogged through the swamp that is Chase Bank, put up with my constant questions and anxieties. I wondered if this day would come and lo and behold, it has. If good karma is to be had, I think you hit it big today. I am profoundly grateful for your hard work that has truly made a difference in our lives. We can now move forward with rebuilding our lives focusing upon a renewed perspective of what the important things in life are. Thank you again for your time and dedication.”

Melinda | Bayonne, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for all your help. I feel a huge weight has been lifted. The experience and knowledge that Performance Property provides is invaluable. In every step of the process, you were extremely courteous and professional. Thank you again.”

Gita Gorji | Hoboken, New Jersey

“Our loan modification was finalized. Got all the documents. Even got legal documents stating that foreclosure proceedings were cancelled. Our rate went from a 4.75 to a 3.4 and our mortgage payment went down almost $200 a month. So all is good. Thank you so much.”

Crystal | Totowa, New Jersey

“Finally the bank called me and said that my loan modification was approved! I thank you so much for your help it really meant a lot to me...I really appreciate you. Thank you Thank you Thank you”

Camille Perry | Newark, New Jersey

“Hey Gerald wanted to give you a heads up that they offered me a loan modification. Thanks for all your help!"

Robert Evans | North Arlington, New Jersey

“I appreciate everything you were able to do with my lender, I am immensely grateful to you."

Carol Cunningham| West Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for your help, Gerald. I feel like a huge weight has been taken off me."

Iradys Rivero| North Bergen, New Jersey

“At this point, Gerald, you are the only person I can trust. I appreciate all your efforts to assist me."

Deborah Dowe| Plainfield, New Jersey

“I want to thank you for helping me to get the courage to work on this problem because I didn't want to face it. Your help with the phone call to the mortgage company & other assistance was so appreciated. Thank you so much."

Evelyn Rudnicki | Rochelle Park, New Jersey

“I'm not trying to be a pain in the neck but I would like to thank you for your advice. I think things are going to work out for me. I did exactly what you told me and I think the mortgage company is going to work with me. I appreciate your advice. You are a Godsend. The world needs more people like you. Thank you and God bless you."

Jimmy Armstead | Roselle, New Jersey

“My mortgage problem is resolved. God bless you for all your help. You are a very good man, Gerald."

Virgilio Rodriguez | Paterson, New Jersey

“I followed the instructions Gerald from Performance Property gave me and I proved to my lender that I can pay back my mortgage.”

John Nikoe | Linden, New Jersey

“God bless you.”

Ravinder Thota | Jersey City, New Jersey

“My bank gave me a permanent loan modification. Thank you very much!!”

Jim Armstead | Roselle, New Jersey

“You helped me a lot more than the lawyer I hired. I should have gone to you in the first place. You were very kind. Thank you so much.”

Aileen Collucci | Little Falls, New Jersey

“After speaking with you I feel like I can wipe the sweat from my brow.”

Barbara Herbert | Union, New Jersey

“You have been my saving grace. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

Amoy Frost | South Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you very much. I appreciate all your help.”