Rick Raskow - UMortgage - NMLS: 1760237

01/13/2024

Happy Friday!!

Fridays are for honoring our service men and women deployed around the world and for spreading VA loan awareness.

VA Minimum Property Requirements for Appraisals

01/05/2024

As part of my commitment to better serve our Veterans, I will be regularly making videos educating Realtors and Veterans on why the VA is the best loan. This is the 1st of many

12/29/2023

Is your New Year's resolution to become a homeowner in 2024? 🌟 Join Nancy Abuali and I for our exclusive First-Time Homebuyer Class – your essential guide to navigating the exciting journey of buying your first home!

✨ Why Attend Our Class?
🔍 Insider Tips: Learn from seasoned experts in real estate who will share invaluable insights and insider tips to help you make informed decisions.
📑 Step-by-Step Guidance: Navigate the entire homebuying process with confidence, from pre-approval to closing. We break it down, step by step!
💰 Financial Strategies: Discover smart financial strategies to make homeownership more affordable, including down payment assistance programs and grants.

🗓️ Event Details:
📅 Date: 10 AM - 12 PM
📍 Location: 608 S Washington St, Suite 100, Naperville, IL 60540

🎟️ Secure Your Spot Now!
Don't miss this opportunity to kickstart your journey to homeownership. Spaces are limited, so act fast!

📩 How to Register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-time-homebuyer-class-tickets-764080414087

🏠 Your Dream Home Awaits – Let's Make It Happen Together! 🏠

12/12/2023

An early holiday gift may be available to eligible first-time home buyers! 🎁 First-time buyers may be eligible for a $5,000 grant and up to $500 toward a 1-year home warranty and appraisal costs with HomeReady SPCP! Don't wait till after the holidays to find out if you're eligible. Connect with me today!

(224) 489-4565
*This is not a guarantee to lend. Subject to borrower approval. The borrower's primary residence must be located in an eligible census tract. Contact your Loan Originator for more information. UMortgage, dba UMortgage LLC NMLS 1457759. Equal opportunity lender. www.consumeraccess.org.

12/07/2023

Wishing a Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate!

11/29/2023

Another happy client! Josh was a 1st time homebuyer and he bought a foreclosure that appraised for $5,000 more than the purchase price and the realtor Kevin Glover managed to get the buyer a $5,550 seller credit. The buyer also got his appraisal fee refunded to him at closing because he bought a Fannie Mae owned property with a Fannie Mae loan.

I met Josh at my mortgage / credit seminar that I do for local 134 apprentices. I love working with these apprentices and guiding them into homeownership.

11/29/2023

Save time and money by working with an independent mortgage broker. Call me to learn how you can move into your dream home quicker than you thought possible!

11/29/2023

Exciting news for aspiring homeowners! 🏡🔑 Introducing the 1% down conventional program, an excellent opportunity to make your dream of owning a home a reality. With this program, you can now secure a home purchase with just a 1% down payment, empowering you to take that crucial first step towards building equity and creating stability for your future. Don't miss out on this remarkable chance to invest in your own property and enjoy the benefits of homeownership. Reach out to our dedicated team today to learn more about this innovative program and get started on your journey towards homeownership. 🌟

11/17/2023

Lower rate for the client in the 1st year, and a free appraisal = win win.

Realtors, connect with me to learn how you can get a credit of up to $600 on appraisals for your buyer if you negotiate a 1-0 buydown. This offer is only available till March.

This can also be combined with our 1% down conventional program.

224.489.4565

10/19/2023

Think fall is a bad time to buy? There's actually less competition from other buyers — plus, sellers who may have been overpriced are more willing to negotiate in order to sell by the holidays. Contact me to learn more reasons why fall home shopping is no tricks, just treats!

10/11/2023

🚨 Realtors – you're going to want to hear about this! My team and I have access to hundreds of credit-qualified, pre-approved buyers, many of whom need a real estate agent – that's where you come in! There is no cost to participate.

Right now, our Agent Connect program is piloting in 6 states, about to increase to 15 states, and then we’re opening it up nationwide. My UMortgage team is hosting a webinar this Wednesday, at 3:00pm EST to go over the program and how you can get in. Message me for details – I only have a few spots to remaining to give away!

09/22/2023

If you've spent months house hunting and also carry student loans, it's essential to touch base with your loan officer. With student loan payments resuming in October, you'll want to ensure that your pre-approval remains unaffected. 🏡💼💰

Realtors, if you've been assisting a client for some time, it's wise to reach out to their loan officer as well. Confirm whether their pre-approval might be impacted by the upcoming return of student loan payments. 🏘️📋🔍

09/08/2023

🚨 It's important to understand that you are never pre-approved for a set purchase price. The amount of property taxes and HOA dues (if applicable) determines the maximum amount that you are able to offer on a specific property. 💰 Our system has a calculator 🧮 that you and your realtor can use to check if you are qualified for a home 🏠 before you go see it or place an offer. 📈🏡

08/21/2023

No down payment, low interest rates and fast closings for all veterans. Call me today for more details!

08/14/2023

We have been working with this client for several months. The client was looking for a great investment opportunity. Oscar found this 2-unit property which is in great condition and updated throughout but needs a new roof. I am helping the client with an FHA 203k loan to finance the roof replacement. Oscar also assisted the client with finding a contractor to complete the roof repairs. When all is said and done, this will be a great primary residence / investment property for our client.

08/03/2023

There are many ways to build generational wealth and one of those methods is by investing in real estate! Connect with me to learn more about building wealth through homeownership www.LockWithRick.com

08/01/2023

At UMortgage, we take seriously 💪 Last month, we served 524 families, launched UMortgage Flex, and began Level Up Coaching! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in August. Join our Loan Originators Powered By UMortgage Meeting to learn more about how we get better every day! https://co.umortgage.com/3Qm6VUS

08/01/2023

I just added Indiana and Michigan to states that I am licensed in. UMortgage is licensed in 48 states. I am going to paint this map purple one state at a time.

08/01/2023

A friendly reminder that the deadline to apply for 2022 property tax exemptions for Cook County is this Friday, 8/4.

If you lived in your home as of 1/1/2022, you are eligible for your homeowner exemption on this tax bill.

Here is a list of all the exemptions that are available in Cook County:

Homeowner
Senior Exemption
Low-Income Senior Freeze
Persons With Disabilities
Returning Veterans
Veterans With Disabilities
Long-Time Homeowner
Home Improvement

If you aren't sure if you have the correct exemptions applied, you should head to the Cook County Assessor's website and look up your property. You can also apply for a "Certificate of Error", which would reimburse you for any exemptions that you should have had going back to 2018. This could be a few grand coming your way if you find out you have been overpaying on your taxes since 2018.

If you need help looking up your exemptions or have any questions, feel free to reach out.

07/28/2023

This is how you can get the best results, for the least amount of money, when you are trying to improve the credit utilization portion of your credit score.

07/25/2023

I just hoped they learned something...

06/28/2023

Ready to make one of the most significant financial decisions of your life? In the current climate, it's crucial to prioritize saving wherever possible during the home-buying process

🔍 Let's dive into why choosing me as your mortgage broker can be a game-changer for your wallet:

💸 Access to Wholesale Rates: One of the biggest advantages of working with me as your mortgage broker is my access to wholesale rates that retail lenders don't offer. These rates are often lower, meaning you could potentially save a significant amount of money over the life of your loan. 💲💲

⚖️ Impartial Advice: Unlike retail lenders who work for specific financial institutions, I am an independent professional. I am not tied to any particular lender, so my focus is solely on finding the best mortgage solution for you. My impartial advice ensures you get the most cost-effective and suitable loan for your needs. 🕵️‍♂️✅

🌟 So, why settle for a retail lender when you can work with a mortgage broker who can potentially save you a substantial amount of money? 💰💪 Let my expertise, vast lender network, and negotiation skills work to your advantage and help you secure a mortgage that's easier on your wallet!

06/01/2023

We have a great program for those trying to enter the housing market, and "Homeownership For All" is just the beginning! This program allows you to put down just 1%, and UMortgage will contribute an additional 2% to their down payment. Why? We're committed to creating life-changing opportunities through homeownership. If you or anyone you know could benefit from this program, have them contact me (224) 489-4565

04/30/2023

You know you are excited to work for a company when you wake up at 5am on a Sunday to complete their trainings.

04/29/2023

Exciting news! I am thrilled to announce that I have officially joined the UMortgage Team. After an amazing journey with Market Place Mortgage, it is time for a new adventure, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of such a fantastic organization.

I am looking forward to bringing my skills and experience to UMortgage and helping clients achieve their dreams of homeownership. I truly believe in UMortgage's mission to provide exceptional service and innovative solutions to clients, and I am honored to be a part of such a talented and dedicated team.

Thank you to all my colleagues and friends at Market Place Mortgage for the memories and experiences over the years. To all my valued clients and partners, I can't wait to continue working with you at UMortgage and supporting you in every way that I can.

Here's to a new chapter and an exciting journey ahead!

04/14/2023

If you're looking into your home loan or refinancing options, you might want to look at how conventional mortgage fees will change starting next month.

03/28/2023

Whether you're saving for a home or paying off your second mortgage, the newsletter offers practical guidance to make your journey easier.

03/26/2023

There are a ton of different types of wood flooring with different pros and cons, so this guide can come in handy for your next renovation project. Which type is your favorite?

Here's everything you need to know about wood floors, including types, cost, and installation considerations.

03/23/2023

In some cases, items and work-related expenses around your home office can be claimed as a deduction on your 2022 tax return. Here's what you can claim, and who qualifies for these deductions.

If you worked from home in 2022, you may wonder if you qualify for the home office deduction. Here's what to know before filing your return.

03/23/2023