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- Introduction
- Am I a first-time home buyer?
- Do I have to be a New Jersey resident to apply for a loan?
- Do I have to be a citizen of the U.S. to apply?
- Are there income and purchase price restrictions for the first-time and Urban Target Area home buyers?
- Where do I apply for a loan?
- Are there any penalties or other downside to having an Agency loan?
- What are the requirements for the Police and Fire mortgage program?
- Can I refinance my loans with your program?
- What if I have bad credit or no credit?
- How much can I borrow based on my salary?
- What is the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency?
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Introduction
These questions and answers are intended to provide general information and are not the final word on program requirements. For more program information see the information for the program you are interested in, call a participating lender, or our toll free hot line 1-800-NJ-HOUSE (654-6873).
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Am I a first-time home buyer?
A first-time home buyer is someone who has not owned a home for the past three years. If the house you are buying is in one of the designated Urban Target Area neighborhoods you do not have to be a first-time buyer, however, you cannot own any other houses.
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Do I have to be a New Jersey resident to apply for a loan?
No, but the property you are buying must be in New Jersey and you must occupy it as your principal residence.
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Do I have to be a citizen of the U.S. to apply?
No, but you must be a permanent legal resident.
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Are there income and purchase price restrictions for the first-time and Urban Target Area home buyers?
Yes, the federal tax laws require that maximum household income and purchase prices be set for each county.
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Where do I apply for a loan?
Loan applications are made through our participating private lenders, all of whom are listed on this website.
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Are there any penalties or other downside to having an Agency loan?
Under the Home Buyer Program, there is a federal requirement that during the first nine years a portion of the gain on the sale of the home be recaptured by the U. S. Treasury if the property and borrower income have increased significantly. For more information, see the discussion of the Recapture Rules on this Web site.
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What are the requirements for the Police and Fire mortgage program?
Borrowers must be active members of the Police and Fire Retirement System Mortgage Program with at least one year of creditable service. There are no income or purchase price limits, but there is a maximum mortgage loan amount.
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Can I refinance my loans with your program?
Because of federal tax code restrictions, refinancing is not available under the first-time and urban target area Home Buyer Program, except for those homeowners who want to substantially rehabilitate their residences. However, Police and Fire borrowers can refinance under the Police and Fire mortgage program.
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What if I have bad credit or no credit?
Every borrower’s credit history has to be individually considered. It is not a good idea to make assumptions about whether one’s credit is good or bad. You can have a lender to evaluate your credit history and pre-qualify you for a loan or advise you about what you need to do to prepare to become “mortgage ready”. Credit counseling agencies are an excellent resource if your credit needs to be repaired.
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How much can I borrow based on my salary?
The amount varies based on the interest rate, length of the mortgage term, taxes and insurance costs, condo fees, and other factors. There is a mortgage calculator on this Web site that can give you an estimated amount.
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What is the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency?
NJHMFA is a statutorily authorized entity of the State of New Jersey. The Agency is empowered to raise money by issuing tax-exempt bonds. Since the Agency’s borrowing costs are low, it can pass the savings along in the form of low-interest rate mortgage loans to qualified home buyers. The Agency also is empowered to finance multi-family rental housing and is the allocating agency for the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
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