Cathy Heilman-Feltz
Mortgage Executive, Jefferson & Lewis Counties
Phone: 315.356.3000 ext. 6325
Cell: 315.783.9390
NMLS #: 623938
Mortgage Resource Center
Live life, dream big, and achieve financial success with AmeriCU!
Whether you are looking to buy your first home, buy a new home, build the home of your dreams or refinance your current home, we can help. Your home is one of biggest investments you’ll make in your life. AmeriCU is here to be your trusted advisor guide you to homeownership.
Use our interactive guides and calculators below or contact an AmeriCU Mortgage Executive to get started today!
Thinking of buying your first home?
Are you ready for home ownership? Buying your first home can be a daunting task. It’s hard to know where to begin. We’ve put together information and calculators to help. See where you are, set a goal, and get started on the road to homeownership.
Be Informed!
What can you afford?
Find an Agent
Get Pre-Qualified
Find Your Home
Make an Offer
Apply for a Mortgage
Get Homeowner's Insurance
Close on Your Home and Move In
Check your credit score to be sure that you know where you stand, and that there are no surprises (like accounts in collection, charged-off accounts, judgments, or late payments) that could be affecting your score.
If your credit score isn’t quite where you’d like it to be, AmeriCU can help you build and improve your credit! Take one of our quick online courses to learn more about your credit score, or visit one of our Financial Centers and talk to a Member Relationship Advisor today! Find a financial center.
Before you even start shopping, you need to have an idea of how much home you can afford. Use our interactive calculator to see what your price range is.
Home Affordability Calculator:
Rent or Buy Calculator:
Although there are a lot of great resources online when shopping for a home, nothing is better than the personal service you get from a real estate agent. The right one will help you make a smart decision, point out potential problems in a house you may be considering, and help you find the best home within your price range.
The best way to find an exceptionally good agent is to get a recommendation from friends and family. If there’s an agent who has already worked with someone you know, and that person was happy with the relationship, chances are you will be too. Look at the “for sale” signs on the lawns of homes in neighborhoods you’re considering. Does one name keep coming up? You might want to check them out.
You can also check out any prospective agents on the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials website to see if they’re truly licensed, are keeping up with continuing education courses, and have had no complaints filed against them. You can also find a realtor at the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors website.
While buying a home, especially your first, can be exciting, working with the right real estate agent will help make your experience a positive one. There are many excellent real estate agents in your area. Take the time to find a good one, and happy house-hunting!
Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage shows sellers that you’re serious. In fact, most sellers won’t accept offers that don’t come with a home loan pre-qualification.
This is the key to showing agents and sellers that you are prepared to buy. Speak with an AmeriCU Mortgage Executive to prepare you to work with the professionals involved with your home purchase.
Make a list of you all your must-haves, want-to-haves, and would-love-to-haves. Think about what’s important to you. Are you looking for a great school district? Do some research at greatschools.org and find out where the best schools are.
Search online for homes in your area that are in your price range. Talk to your real estate agent about what matters the most to you. Visit open houses and make appointments for showings. Your home is out there, you just have to find it!
Look for red flags!
It’s important to be informed and be sure your dream home isn’t actually hiding nightmares!
A professional inspection before signing on a home is a given, but did you take a careful look around? You don’t want any unpleasant surprises after you’ve moved in.
Check for the following:
A sturdy roof. Do the shingles look like they’re going to give way in a few years? That can translate into expensive repairs. If you like the house and don’t mind replacing a faulty roof, use it as a negotiating point to get a lower price.
Efficient heating and cooling systems. These can be costly to fix and replace, and inefficient systems can really hike up your utility bills.
Strong structural components. Most sellers will give their house a new coat of paint before showing it to buyers, but don’t be fooled. If the foundation is weak, the best paint job won’t cover it up. Check beneath the surface for strong pipes, wiring, and insulation.
Overall functioning of the home. Don’t be shy; try out everything in your potential new home. Open doors and windows, turn on every faucet, flick each light switch, flush toilets and taste the water. If you find any major problems, you may want to give this house a second thought. If you don’t mind a handful of minor repairs, remember to use these as a negotiating point.
Found your dream home? Great! Now it’s time to make an offer. Good thing you’ve already been pre-qualified with AmeriCU and know exactly what you can (and can’t) afford.
Work with your realtor to put in a purchase offer. In a tight housing market, time is of the essence. You never know how many other people are also interested.
Once your offer has been accepted, contact your AmeriCU Mortgage Executive to apply for your mortgage. You’ll have to gather the necessary documentation and provide it to your Mortgage Executive who will help you through the whole application process. Or you can get started online today.
You’ve made a big investment in your home – and now you need to protect it! Talk to a licensed, experienced professional and make sure you have the coverage you need.
Congratulations! You did it! Now comes the exciting part. Close on your loan, get the keys, and move in. We hope you enjoy your new home for many years to come!
All Mortgage Resources
Considering Homeownership
Owning a home is a major financial decision that can feel exciting yet intimidating. It’s important to explore the benefits and costs associated with homeownership. Review these important tips to prepare yourself before you start the home-buying process, including:
- Pros and cons of home ownership
- Common costs associated with home ownership
- Steps to get started with the home buying process
Credit Scores and Reports
Is your credit score helping or hurting you? Credit scores can have a huge impact on your financial wellness. Understand how to read your credit report and receive important tips to keep your score healthy, including:
- How a credit score is calculated
- Where you can find your credit score
- How to protect your credit score
Mortgages
There is a lot to understand when it comes to mortgages – the terms, forms and processes. With all these elements, having a mortgage can seem overwhelming. Get the information you need in order to prepare yourself for the mortgage application and home-buying process, including:
- Mortgages costs and considerations
- Different types of mortgages
- Applying for a mortgage
Monthly Budget Tool
Did you know that only about 1/3 of Americans maintain a household budget? Understanding how you’re spending money is the first step in reaching your financial goals.
Whether you’re an experienced budget keeper or are just getting started, you can use our online Budgeting Tool to:
- Track your monthly expenses
- Better understand your spending
- Adjust spending to reach financial goals
Insurance
Life is unpredictable. An insurance plan is a key element of any financial strategy to ensure that your assets are protected. There are various types of insurance plans, and it is important to understand the features and benefits of each type. Learn how to evaluate your plan with our short learning course that covers:
- Types of policies
- Common costs
- Processing claims
Mortgage Modifications
Whether you’re getting ready to buy your first home, a current homeowner looking to reduce payments, or maybe you’re behind on payments and need help — it’s good to know your options.
Find out how you can leverage mortgage modifications to prevent future financial strain and alleviate any you may already be experiencing. Take our short Mortgage Modifications course to become an expert on:
- Mortgage modification options
- How late payments affect you
- Delinquency, grace periods, and foreclosure
Not all bills are created equal. Take our short quiz to find out how delinquent mortgage payments can affect you and learn how mortgage modifications can help get you back on track.
AmeriCU Mortgage Executives
Patrick Mautner
Mortgage Executive, Oneida, Herkimer + Madison Counties
Phone: 315.356.3000 ext. 3255
Cell: 315.225.4720
NMLS #: 586751
Myles Nashton
Mortgage Executive, Oneida, Herkimer & Madison Counties
Phone: 315.356.3000 ext. 6253
Cell: 315.762.2102
NMLS #: 623940
Tony Merro
Mortgage Executive, Liverpool
Phone: 315.356.3000 ext. 6023
Cell: 315.334.2944
NMLS #: 641982
David Husnay
Mortgage Loan Officer - Internal Sales
Phone: 315.356.3000 ext. 3337
Cell: 315.338.3150
NMLS #: 1182166
Daniel Sullivan
Mortgage Executive, Syracuse
Phone: 315.356.3000 ext. 6243
Cell: 315.371.6956
NMLS #: 1923483
Clara Bader
Mortgage Executive, Cicero, Fayetteville, Camillus
Phone: 315.356.3000 ext. 6112
NMLS #: 1952872
More from AmeriCU
Insurance
Whether it’s your house, apartment, car, boat, or trailer, you want to be confident it is protected in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. Get the right insurance at the right price and protect yourself today. Learn more about personal insurance.
Financial Wellness
You face important financial decisions every day. Give yourself the tools you need to be prepared! Learn more about financial wellness.
Questions? Contact Us!
Our Member Service Center is available at 800.388.2000 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – to help you with whatever you need. Or, visit our Contact page.