Applying For A Loan in Bergen County NJ

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 12:17 pm, September 21st, 2007

Thanks to today’s tightening credit standards, you may need more paperwork than ever when applying for a new home loan.  To try to make the process less daunting, I’ve put together this list of items you may be required to bring along when you visit your lender to begin the loan application process:  (please note, all lenders are different and may require more or less paperwork!) 

Employment/Income-          Addresses of employers for two full years-          Gross monthly income, proven by last two pay stubs-          W-2’s, if available-          Proof of pensions, retirement, disability, or Social Security-          Proof of income from rentals, investments, etc.-          Proof of child support or alimony paid/received-          Self-employed: two years 1040 tax returns-          Current year profit and loss statement 

Creditors-          Each creditor’s name and type of account-          Account numbers-          Monthly payments and approximate balances-          Amount of child care expenses 

Banking-          Names of checking & savings institutions-          Account numbers and current balances-          Last two months bank and savings statements 

Miscellaneous-          List of assets in stocks, bonds, land-          Life insurance cash value-          Social Security numbers for all parties-          Veterans: Certificate of Eligibility & DD-214 or Statement of Service-          Divorce Decree and/or Separation Agreement if applicable-          Child support documentation if applicable-          Bankruptcy papers if applicable 

This may seem like an unreasonable amount of work to have to do on your part just to apply for a home loan.  But imagine if you were about to lend hundreds of thousands of dollars to somebody – you’d probably want a pretty good idea of that person’s ability to pay you back! 

Please click here to download TripleCalc software that will allow you to compare three mortgages at one time.  You can also visit my website or email me to learn more about

Bergen County NJ real estate.  I’m here to help!

Pascack Valley Inspection Information

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 6:52 pm, May 27th, 2007

Homeowner Checklist

The amount of do-it-yourself air conditioning maintenance a homeowner can do is limited. However, there are a few steps that can help the system operate trouble-free and minimize the potential for consequential damage. Ensuring adequate airflow is perhaps the most important homeowner responsibility.

Homeowners can (following manufacturer instructions):

  • Clean or replace the filter(s) regularly.
  • Keep leaves and other debris off the condensing unit.
  • Keep the condensing coils clean by carefully brushing and hosing them.
  • Keep shrubs and other plant growth that might obstruct airflow at least 18 inches away from the condenser.
  • Maintain insulation on ductwork in attics and other unconditioned areas.
  • Check the condensate drain for any sign of blockage or leakage. Water should be dripping from this drainline when the unit is running.
  • Keep room input and return registers clear of furniture or other obstructions.

Selecting Trained Professionals

If your air conditioner needs more than the regular maintenance described here, consult a qualified air conditioning technician. A well-trained professional can provide a thorough pre-season or maintenance evaluation and servicing as needed. Insufficiently trained service technicians forsake proper diagnostic procedures and often only perform stop-gap measures to keep a unit going. Such short-sightedness can have a drastic effect on other components leading to consequential failure of the entire system.

At a minimum, a technician should:

  • Check that the system contains the correct amount of refrigerant.
  • Test for refrigerant leaks.
  • Check for and seal duct leakage.
  • Clean the blower components.
  • Measure airflow through the evaporator coil.
  • Verify the correct electric control sequence.
  • Inspect electric terminals, clean and tighten connections.
  • Oil motors and check belts for tightness and wear.
  • Check the condensate system for backup or leakage.
  • Check operating temperatures and pressures.
  • Check the accuracy of the thermostat.