During this time of social distancing, it is crucial that our employees, borrowers, and industry peers stay safe, while we continue to provide the seamless lending experience that we have worked hard to put in place. Norcom has the technology to help you with your mortgage process, while safely in your current residence.

First is the Norcom Mortgage Easy Street App. This mobile app allows our borrowers to view their basic loan, closing, and payment information, 24/7 in the app. Borrowers are also able to simply and securely upload their documents, without the need of a fax machine or scanner. We will keep borrowers updated on the status of their mortgage, as it moves through the process, with app push notifications. This app is also a great tool for Realtors, as it provides easy-to-use mortgage calculators, automatic notifications, and access to contact information.

We also offer Day 1 Certainty to our borrowers. This means, borrowers can allow Norcom to collect data directly from their financial institution. This eliminates the need for paper statements, which would have to be collected and delivered. This process also allows us to obtain tax return information directly from the IRS, removing the need for tax returns.

Lastly, our electronic closing platform, dubbed Swift Sign, is a digital solution that can simplify mortgage closings for borrowers and closing attorneys. It streamlines the closing process, saving both time and paper, and significantly reduces time spent at the closing table in an attorney’s office. Mike Dimech, SVP Operations Manager, stated, “Norcom Mortgage is excited and proud to be the first CT-based lender to offer electronic closings to our customers. By maintaining a true, 100% digital loan process, our borrowers will see drastic improvements over the traditional paper mortgage process while Norcom will further develop our internal efficiencies.”

We want to reassure those looking to purchase or refinance their home that we are still here to help. Please reach out to a Norcom loan officer via phone or email. We are happy to help you, and are confident that we can deliver a great mortgage experience through our online platforms.

With the Holidays approaching and the new decade right around the corner, it’s challenging not to get wrapped up in the stress this time of year can bring. Between the constant traffic, bad weather, and eager shoppers, one can feel as though they're struggling to find time to even think! However, the traffic means we have many places to be. The bad weather reminds us we have a warm bed waiting at home. The sold out gifts mean we have people to give them to. For many people, this is not the case.

This time of year leaves many feeling lonely, and your small acts of kindness can go further than you think. Here’s a list of 10 small acts of kindness you can do to make someone’s day that much better:

1. Leave nonperishable snacks & drinks for delivery workers
2. Bring in donuts, bagels, or coffee for your co workers
3. Donate foods, drinks, and paper goods to a local food bank
4. Pay for someone’s coffee at the drivethrough or behind you in line
5. Bake cookies for your Fire Departmant, Police Department, and EMTs
6. Donate pet supplies to the local animal shelter
7. Help someone carry out their groceries
8. Leave money taped on a vending machine
9. Volunteer serving at the local soup kitchen
10. Leave a generous tip to a server

This festive time of year, we can be focused on seeing family members we don’t always get to see, giving gifts to our loved ones, and spending time with the people we cherish most. Through small acts of kindness, you can help make someone else’s most stressful time of year, their most wonderful.

On Tuesday, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that the conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will rise to over $510,000 in 2020. This is up from the 2019 level of $484,350.

Data from FHFA shows that home prices increased on average from 2018 to 2019 by 5.38%. Therefore, the conforming loan limits for 2020 will increase by the same percentage.

This change will effect most of the United States, with a few exceptions. To see a map of the 2020 conforming loan limits, click here.

For more information on these changes, click here.

Whether you’re moving this Autumn or want to plan a fall weekend getaway, you may be curious to see the 2019 Fall Foliage predictions. 

As the days grow shorter during this time of year, trees react to the decrease in sunlight. Their color and vibrancy can also be affected by temperature, weather conditions, and drought. Taking all this into consideration, it is possible to predict when leaves will start shifting tones from green to yellow, to orange, and then to crimson. 

Around the first week of September, trees in the northernmost states and some areas around the Rocky Mountains will start changing color. By early October, most of New England, the Rockies, the Sierra Nevadas, areas around the Great Lakes, and the Pacific Northwest will be bright with color. In mid-November, peak color will be visible only in the southeastern states of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. 

For an incredible interactive US map depicting the color changes from September through November, visit:  https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/ 

Are you a dedicated leaf peeper? Here are some other ways to incorporate the beautiful colors of fall into your home and life: 

• Accent linens (towels, throw pillows, blankets, bedding) 

• Autumnal wreaths 

• Scarves and knit hats in your favorite warm hue 

• Cook with seasonal vegetables such as squash 

• For the techie – switch out your phone and computer wallpaper! 

Remember, no matter where you enjoy your fall fix, you can apply online with Easy Street powered by Norcom Mortgage.