Your income and down payment don’t just influence your mortgage they define  your buying power. This week’s Buying Power Breakdown shows exactly how fast things can change based on just two numbers. 🔹 Scenario 1 Income:  $120,000 Down Payment:  $60,000 Estimated Max Home Price:   ≈ $767,099 Estimated Monthly Payment:   ≈ $4,900 With a strong income and a solid down payment, buyers in this range unlock significantly higher home affordability even at identical rates, taxes, an

Are you self-employed or a 1099 earner who’s tired of hearing “you don’t qualify”  just because your tax returns don’t show your real income? You're not alone and you’re not out of options. At LJ Mortgage Team Inc. , we proudly offer flexible Non-QM (Non-Qualified Mortgage)  programs built specifically for business owners, gig workers, and independent contractors whose traditional tax documents don’t tell the full story of their financial strength. If you have strong deposits

A clear example of what a strong, well-prepared mortgage file looks like and how it leads to a smooth, stress-free approval. 🏠 The Property & Purchase Snapshot 📍 Location:  East Meadow, Nassau County 💰 Purchase Price:  $815,000 🔻 Down payment:  30% ($244,500) 🏦 Loan Amount:  $570,500 📄 Loan Type:   Conventional Elite 30-Year Fixed This buyer came in strong with a substantial down payment, excellent credit, and clean financials giving them access to a competitive intere

Unlocking what you can truly afford every Friday! Navigating the housing market can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to understand exactly how much home you can afford. That’s why every Friday, we bring you Your Weekly Buying Power Breakdown  a simple, transparent look at what your real  purchasing power is. Whether you're renting, saving, budgeting, or exploring multi-family “house hacker” opportunities, we break it all down based on: ✔️ Your income ✔️ Curre

If you're planning to buy a home or refinance in 2026 , there’s good news— higher conforming loan limits  are giving buyers more room to breathe and more control over their financing options. That means more purchasing power , improved access to competitive interest rates, and flexibility when choosing the right loan for your goals. At LJ Mortgage Team Inc. , we’re here to make the entire process simple, transparent, and stress-free. Whether you’re stepping into your first ho

Every mortgage file tells a story and this Michigan family’s approval proves that with the right structure, the right strategy, and the right team, homeownership is possible , even when the numbers look challenging at first glance. 📌 Loan Snapshot 💰 Property Value:  $608,000 🔻 Down payment:  20% 📉 Monthly Liabilities:  $3,065 📊 Credit Score:  650 👨‍👩‍👧 Household Income:  $161,000 🏡 Property Taxes:  $10,000 📈 Interest Rate:  7.37% 💵 Monthly P&

Buying a home in Queens? You’re going to hear a lot  of new terms at closing—and two of the most confusing are Title Insurance  and Homeowners Insurance . Even though both are essential parts of a smooth purchase, they protect you from totally different  risks. Here’s the breakdown every first-time buyer should know. 👇 ✅ What Is Title Insurance? Title insurance protects you from past problems  with the property’s ownership—issues that happened before  you b

If you’re thinking about buying a home, understanding your credit score is key. Different loans have different requirements: FHA Loans:  580+ Conventional Loans:  620+ No Income Check / Jumbo Loans:  700+ The good news? There are actionable steps you can take to help your score climb ⬆️ and improve your chances of mortgage approval. 5 Ways to Grow Your Credit Score Cut Utilization Keep each credit card’s balance between 10–30% of your limit. Pay down balances b

If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to refinance your mortgage, you’re not alone. Many homeowners are exploring refi options to lower monthly payments, reduce interest costs, or tap into savings opportunities especially with tools like a CEMA refinance , which can significantly reduce upfront expenses for New York borrowers. ✅ When a Refinance Makes Sense If your current mortgage rate is higher , a refinance could lower both your monthly payment   and  

Before you start shopping for your dream home, it’s important to know exactly what you can afford. Understanding your numbers upfront means fewer surprises later and a smoother home-buying experience. Here’s a real example straight from our in-house affordability tools: 💰 Scenario 1: Sample Home Purchase • Home Price:  $600,000 • Down Payment:  $60,000 (10%) • Loan Amount:  $540,000 • Interest Rate:  6.19% • Term:  30 Years • Estimated Monthly Payment:   $4,228.83 That month

Another successful closing for the LJ Mortgage Team! Our client just secured their dream home in Franklin Square, NY , and we couldn’t be happier to be part of the journey. View Full Video at: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQMhtfWji-0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 💰 Property Sold Price:  $850,000 🛏️ 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms 📈 Interest Rate:  6.99% 💵 Closing Costs:  $36,313 (~4.27% of the sale price) Here’s how the numbers break down for this beauti

Success Story Spotlight! ✨ Even with just 5% down , our client a hardworking Staff Nurse   achieved her dream of becoming a homeowner in the Bronx!  🙌 Here’s how the numbers came together : 💰 Purchase Price:  $757,000 🏦 Down payment:  5% 📊 Credit Score:  740 👩‍⚕️ Occupation:  Staff Nurse 💵 Household Income:  $141,000 📉 Monthly Liabilities:  $451 📑 Property Taxes:  $5,372 🏠 Homeowners Insurance (HOI):  $1,936 💰 Closing Costs:  $29,000 (~3.83% of purchase price) 📈 In

Another success story from the LJ Mortgage Team  — turning homeownership dreams into reality right here in Jamaica, Queens!  🏡 Here’s how we helped this family secure their new home with confidence, even with a mid-600 credit score 👇 📍 Property Location:  Jamaica, Queens, NY 🏡 Purchase Price:  $775,000 💰 Down payment:  10% 👥 Two Borrowers  | Credit Score:  678 📊 Household Income:  $140,000 📉 Monthly Liabilities:  $5,614 📑 Property Taxes:  $5,757/year | Homeowne

At LJ Mortgage Team Inc. , we’re proud to help clients secure financing for homes that not only provide a place to live but also create opportunities for long-term financial growth. One of our recent closings was a 2-family home in Yonkers, NY   the perfect example of how real estate can be both a home and an investment. 🏡 Property Snapshot Property Value:  $650,000 Property Type:  2-Family Home Bedrooms/Bathrooms:  6 Beds | 2 Baths

At LJ Mortgage Team Inc ., we’re proud to celebrate every successful closing and this Brooklyn home purchase is a perfect example of how we help hardworking professionals achieve homeownership. ✅ The Deal at a Glance Property Value:  $845,000 Down Payment:  20% Beds/Baths:  5 Beds | 3 Baths Closing Costs:  $33,000 📊 Borrower Profile Credit Score:  740 Household Income:  $136,000 Occupation:  Registered Nurse 👩‍⚕️ Monthly Debt:  Only $190 🏠 Property Expenses Annual Property

Buying a home is exciting—but figuring out the best loan option  can feel overwhelming. Two of the most popular low down payment programs are the FHA Loan  and the Conventional (HomeReady/Home Possible) Loan . Both are designed to help first-time homebuyers, but they have key differences. Let’s break it down. 💰 FHA Loan (3.5% Down) ✅ Credit score as low as 580 ✅ Only 3.5% down ✅ Flexible debt-to-income ratio (up to 54% ) ⚠️ Mortgage insurance require

Buying your first home is one of the biggest milestones in life and it all starts with a clear plan. The LJ Mortgage Team is here to make sure you feel confident, informed, and excited every step of the way. Here’s your ultimate First-Time Homebuyer To-Do List  to help turn your dream into a front door with your name on it! ✅ 1. Check Your Credit Score Think of it as your financial selfie  — it shows lenders a snapshot of your financial health

Another successful closing with the LJ Mortgage Team Inc.! 🎉 This time, we’re celebrating a beautiful property in Jamaica, Queens...

Another Success Story from the LJ Mortgage Team Inc. At LJ Mortgage Team Inc. , we believe in turning homeownership dreams into reality—just like we did for our latest clients in Floral Park, NY ! ✅ Here’s a quick snapshot of their winning file : 📌 Property & Financial Breakdown Purchase Price:  $875,000 Down Payment:  20% Credit Score:  740 (Excellent!) Household Income:  $141,000 Monthly Debt:  Just $130—an ideal profile for loan a

At LJ Mortgage Team Inc. , we’re proud to help hardworking clients from all walks of life achieve their dream of homeownership. This recent closed file review in Indiana  is a perfect example of how flexible mortgage solutions can make a big difference! 📂 Loan Snapshot Loan Program:  Bank Statement Loan Purchase Price:  $490,000 Down Payment:  21% Borrower:  Truck Driver Credit Score:  762 Household Income:  $77,000 Monthly Liability: