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Homebuying
Buying a home is a big decision. You don’t have to make it alone. Check out all our resources to assist you throughout your homeownership journey.
Q&As for Prospective Homebuyers
Thank you to our Homebuyer Happy Hour Moderators: Jarrod Burcham Mortgage Loan Originator | NMLS 1900830 951-795-0467 jburcham@localfirstbank.com Monica Moses Community Mortgage Officer | NMLS 1651906 910-225-3399 mmoses@localfirstbank.com Schedule a Private Consultation with Jarrod or Monica What are some of the key terms I need to know when thinking about a mortgage? There are several key terms that are used during the mortgage process, including: Credit Scores: Important for qualifying for a mortgage. Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio: The size of the loan compared to the purchase price of the property. Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio: The ratio of monthly debt payments to monthly income, which affects mortgage qualification. Why is personalized guidance important for homebuyers? Personalized guidance is important because the mortgage process can be complex, and individual circumstances can vary. Private consultations can help potential homebuyers understand their specific financial situation and mortgage options.
5 min read
[First Bank Webinar] Homebuyer Happy Hour
Event Details: Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025 Time: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Location: Zoom Webinar (link provided upon registration) What to Expect: Our First Bank mortgage experts will share general mortgage information along with how the mortgage application process works. Topics covered include: General information: basic mortgage terms and definitions, documentation standards and income calculation Mortgage application process: what to expect, how to prepare Mortgage applicant qualification: loan to value, debt to income ratio and calculations, credit expectations Meet our First Bank Experts: Jarrod Burcham | Mortgage Loan Originator | Greensboro, NC Jarrod pledges professional service and personal attention while finding the right mortgage that fits your needs. Whether you are looking to purchase your first home, build your next, refinance your current home, buy an investment property or purchase a vacation rental, Jarrod will guide you through the home loan process. Monica Moses | Community Mortgage Officer | Apex, NC As Community Mortgage Officer, Monica serves as a liaison for the mortgage loan originators regarding community outreach in underserved markets. One of her focuses is educating potential homeowners by participating in homebuyer workshops in low to moderate income areas. Monica’s role allows First Bank to build connections with minority realtors and builders while enhancing the visibility of our organization. Registrations are now closed – stay tuned for the Q&As from our Homebuyer Happy Hour! Our knowledgeable panel shared their experiences and provided actionable insights during our Homebuyer Happy Hour to help you make informed decisions about homebuying. We will be posting the Q&As from the session to view on our website soon so you won’t miss any valuable expert insights. Keep an eye on our website for updates, and feel free to reach out to one of our loan officers if you have any mortgage questions.
2 min read
Hurricane Helene Recovery: Financial Assistance Options
1. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans The SBA offers a range of disaster loans to individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to cover losses not covered by insurance or FEMA. These loans help cover both personal and business expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. October 15, 2024 Update: The SBA announced that it has exhausted funds for its disaster loan program. Until Congress appropriates additional funds, the SBA is pausing new loan offers. The SBA is encouraging individuals and small businesses to continue to apply for loans given assurances from congressional leaders that additional funding will be provided upon Congress’s return in November. Click here to read the press release. Home Disaster Loans: Available to homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged real estate and personal property, including vehicles. Business Physical Disaster Loans: These loans are designed for businesses of all sizes to repair or replace damaged property owned by the business, such as real estate, machinery, equipment, and supplies. Private non-profit organizations like charities and churches are also eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): These are working capital loans designed to help small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and private nonprofits meet financial obligations they can’t cover due to the disaster. These loans are meant to support recovery during the disaster recovery period. For more information, visit the SBA Disaster Assistance website or contact them directly. 2. FEMA Disaster Assistance FEMA offers a wide range of financial assistance programs for those impacted by natural disasters. If you have insurance, file a claim immediately, as FEMA cannot cover losses that are already insured. FEMA provides grants for: Temporary housing Home repairs Other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance You can apply for FEMA assistance online or by calling 800-621-3362. 3. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Individuals who have lost their jobs or had their employment interrupted due to Hurricane Helene may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This program extends unemployment benefits to those who may not be eligible for state unemployment, such as the self-employed or small business owners. To qualify, you must: Live, work, or were scheduled to work in a federally declared disaster area. Have lost employment or had employment interrupted due to the disaster. Have exhausted regular state unemployment benefits. Eligibility is determined weekly, so you must continue to be out of work as a direct result of the disaster to maintain benefits. Visit the Disaster Unemployment Assistance page of the NC Department of Commerce website for more information about this program. 4. Freddie Mac, HUD, and FHA Mortgage Assistance If your home has been affected by Hurricane Helene and you are struggling to make mortgage payments, Freddie Mac, HUD, and the FHA offer mortgage relief options. These include: Forbearance plans to temporarily suspend or reduce your mortgage payments. Loan modifications to make your mortgage more affordable over the long term. Mortgage assistance programs designed specifically for disaster recovery. Contact your mortgage provider to inquire about disaster relief programs available through these organizations. 5. NC Bankers Association Disaster Relief The NC Bankers Association provides resources and guidance for individuals and businesses impacted by disasters. Through their network, they can help you access financial institutions offering relief, including special loan programs and deferral options for existing debts. It’s worth reaching out to your local bank or lender to inquire about specific programs that may be available to you. Visit the Hurricane Helene page of the NC Bankers Association website for a comprehensive list of resources. 6. WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund – Mountain BizWorks In response to Hurricane Helene, the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, led by Mountain BizWorks, is providing financial relief for businesses across Western North Carolina. This fund is designed to support local businesses that were impacted by the hurricane, offering critical recovery resources, including: Low-interest loans to help businesses rebuild. Emergency financial support to address urgent needs like working capital, repairs, and more. Mountain BizWorks is a community-focused lender that helps small businesses in the region thrive, even in the face of disaster. They are committed to supporting business owners through the recovery process with accessible financing options. Visit their website for more details on how to apply. 7. SBA Microlenders for Business Recovery The SBA also partners with microlenders across the country to provide small loans, typically up to $50,000, to businesses in need of capital. These loans can help cover immediate business needs such as payroll, inventory, and repairs. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, these microlenders are valuable resources for small businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing options. To find an SBA microlender in your area, visit the SBA Microlender List. 8. Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative Appalachian Community Capital has partnered with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to provide relief grants to small businesses harmed by Hurricane Helene. The grant program is called the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative. Small businesses can apply for grants up to $25,000 to cover expenses related to recovery and reopening including repair and replacement of physical damage, environmental cleanup, payment of business-related rents or mortgages, employee retention and hiring, and more. The application window for this grant is from October 30 through November 27, 2024. For more information and to apply, visit their website here. First Bank is Here to Help If you have any questions about these resources, our bankers are more than happy to help you navigate the questions you may have. Recovering from Hurricane Helene is a challenging process, but these resources are designed to provide financial relief when it’s needed most. If you’ve been affected, be proactive in exploring the options available to you, from disaster loans to mortgage forbearance. While the road to recovery may be long, these programs can ease some of the financial burdens and help you rebuild your life or business.
5 min read
Construction Loans NC
The thought of building a new home can be daunting. All that planning. All that work. And all that money. At First Bank, we can’t design a floor plan or hang drywall, but we can make that last part a little easier to manage. We offer One-Time-Close Construction to Permanent Loans at all of our North Carolina branch locations as a way of financing your lot, construction, and subsequent mortgage all under one easy-to-manage plan. One-Time-Close Construction to Permanent Loans Our One-Time-Close Construction to Permanent Loans offer 12 months of financing through the construction phase with the ability to seamlessly convert to your permanent mortgage once your home is completed. The details of our One-Time-Close Construction to Permanent Loans in North Carolina include: A selection of adjustable-rate loan options and a fixed construction interest rate for 12 months Interest-only payments during the construction phase No penalties for prepaying the loan and a single set of closing costs Loans for construction only also offered Applying for a construction loan in North Carolina is easy with First Bank. Simply gather your financial and property information, then contact a loan specialist to get the process underway or apply online. If you need more information about One-Time-Close Construction to Permanent Loans before you take the next step, that’s not a problem. We have a collection of articles, guides, and tips about home building and construction loans that are sure to answer any questions you may have. You may also use our mortgage calculator or find a North Carolina mortgage specialist near you. First Bank is also happy to offer One-Time-Close Construction to Permanent Loans with flexible terms and competitive rates to businesses. Let us help you manage the financing of your construction project. We’ll leave the rest up to you. Apply online today. Loans subject to credit approval. ——— Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fixedinterestrate.asp Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/arm.asp
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Home Mortgage Calculator from First Bank
A home mortgage calculator can help you determine your monthly mortgage payments. This will help you financially prepare for that future purchase, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or seeking a vacation home. You can even discover how much money you might save by increasing your mortgage payment with a calculator. Home Mortgage Calculators from First Bank Whether you simply want to know how much of a house payment you can afford or you are trying to determine if you should rent a home or buy one, First Bank has a home mortgage calculator that can help. With our home mortgage calculators you can: Determine How Much House You Can Afford – Home Mortgage Calculator What you’ll need to know: Term in years Purchase price Percentage down Interest rate Annual tax Annual insurance Decide Between Refinancing or Keeping Your Current Loan – Home Mortgage Calculator What you’ll need to know: Loan amount Annual property taxes and insurance Term in years Interest rate Determine Whether You Should Rent or Buy – Home Mortgage Calculator What you’ll need to know: Monthly rent Yearly rent increase Home purchase price Loan amount Term Find Out How Much Money You Can Save by Increasing Your Mortgage Payment – Home Mortgage Calculator What you’ll need to know: Principal balance Interest rate Monthly payment Additional monthly payment Mortgages from First Bank First Bank offers a variety of home mortgage options,** including: Conventional loans—Fixed or adjustable rates. Jumbo loans—For higher property values. Government loans—Lower rates and closing costs. Professional loans—For physicians, CPAs, dentists, and attorneys. Construction loans—For land, construction, and home mortgage. To learn more about our home loan options or how one of our home mortgage calculators can help you prepare for the future, contact or visit your local First Bank branch. *Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #474504. **Loans subject to credit approval. ——— Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interest.asp?ad=dirN&qo=investopediaSiteSearch&qsrc=0&o=40186
2 min read
Which Renovations Give You the Most Bang for Your Buck?
A home renovation can make your house more comfortable and efficient. Despite what you might see on HGTV, though, renovating isn’t easy, and you won’t always make big bucks when it’s time to sell your home.
1 min read
Courses
There’s a lot to consider when purchasing a house. Choose from these quick courses to learn what you need to know and the questions you should ask yourself.
Articles
Feel confident about the homebuying process. Browse articles with information covering everything from home loan types to estimating the full cost of ownership.
Tools & Calculators
Make informed decisions and control your financial future with these useful tools.
Work with a local mortgage specialist