Craig Tashjian Learning Center

Mortgage FAQ's | Mortgage Shopping Tips | The Mortgage Process | Mortgage Calculator | Additional Considerations

Mortgage Education

Frequently Asked Questions When Looking for a Mortgage

	"Craig has a great ability to teach and took me step by step through the mortgage application process."

What are the advantages of working with a mortgage company like Fairway New England Mortgage as opposed to a bank?

One of the biggest advantages that Fairway New England Mortgage offers is selection. I currently sell mortgage products from 40 different institutions. That gives me tremendous flexibility in finding the right terms and options for you. I also deliver an extraordinarily high level of customer service, even after the mortgage has been closed. My interest is in providing such a high level of service that you'll never want to search for another lender.

What about all of these Internet-based lenders?

Just think about it for a moment. Do you really want to make the largest purchase of your life, something that's going to cost $300,000, $400,000, or more, with someone whom you've never met before and that you'll never meet face to face? Buying a mortgage can be a very personal and a very emotional experience. I'm here to take you through it step by step, answer all of your questions, and give you the benefit of my 17 years of industry experience.

Once I get pre-approved for a loan, how long is it good for?

Your loan pre-approval is good for a full 60 days, because that's how long your credit report is valid. If you haven't found a home to buy in that time period, we'll simply update your paperwork and extend your approval period.

How long will Fairway New England guarantee my mortgage interest rate?

Once you've purchased a home and applied for the actual mortgage, Fairway locks your rate for a full 60 days, giving you two full months to schedule your closing. This is one of our major advantages. Many of our competitors are locking in rates for far less time, sometimes as little as 10 days!

I'm very busy with my job right now. How much time am I going to have to invest with you in order to get my mortgage?

The answer is less time than with anyone else! I work very, very hard to get and keep every customer's business. Too busy to make copies of pay stubs, insurance records, and other paperwork? Just stuff everything into an envelope and mail it in with your application. We'll make copies at our end and return the originals to you.

Can I apply for a mortgage over the phone?

Yes. With the launching of this website, you can now start the application process by completing our online form, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I hear you talking a lot about customer service. Besides answering my phone calls promptly, what does that mean?

To me, customer service means lots of things. It means that I check in with you periodically to see how your home search is going, and how close to you are to purchasing. It means that I'm here to answer your questions and make the whole mortgage application process go smoothly for you. And it means that I'm going to help you with more than just the mortgage itself. I have working relationships with a number of related professionals, so I can help you to find a buyer's brokers, closing attorneys, painters, builders, landscapers, interior decorators, and even professional oraanizers to help you get settled into your new home. Best of all, these are people that I know and trust, so you're assured of getting both a good value for your money and the same kind of superior customer service that I provide.

I'm looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary. Can you help me with that?

Yes. Since Fairway has relations with more than 40 different lenders, I can shop around for you and find the terms that you need. I have a lot more flexibility than a lot of the other mortgage lenders that you might be talking to.

I'm very apprehensive about speaking with a mortage lender. All the TV and newspaper ads are confusing me. Any suggestions?

Absolutely. I hold several mortgage seminars each year. Plan on attending one of them and you learn all about what it's like to obtain a mortgage in a very relaxed setting. We also allot plenty of time for questions and answers at these seminars.

I'm thinking about buying a home, but I have no idea what I can afford in terms of a mortgage. What should I do?

Fill out my First Step Pre-Approval Form (PDF) and we'll quickly determine what you can afford. I could have an answer for you as soon as tomorrow!

Does Fairway only write mortgages on properties in the Boston area?

I do the vast majority of my business in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. However, is licensed to do business in all of the New England states. So even if you're looking at a vacation home in the White Mountains, southern or mid-coast Maine, or Cape Cod, I can still work with you on the financing.

There are so many mortgage options. Do you have any materials that I can read to get better acquainted on the subject?

Yes I do. You can download my presentation on "Understanding the Mortgage Process" in PDF format. I also present this information several times a year in my home buying seminars.