Loans Queens

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!
Grateful for my clients, partners, and friends who trusted me this year with one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. Wishing you and your families a holiday filled with warmth, joy, and plenty of reasons to give thanks.
🦃🍁
If you’re planning a move, refinance, or investment in the coming months, I’m here to help every step of the way.
NMLS #8273
Office: 718-969-7170
186-09 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366

07/10/2025

Your Home! Your Loan! Your Terms!

🏢 Mortgage Solutions for Every New Yorker

Looking for a mortgage that fits your lifestyle and finances? Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, real estate investor, or self-employed, Ruben Gurgov and his team have you covered.

We Offer:

✅ FHA, VA, Conventional Loans

✅ DSCR, No-Ratio, Investment Loans

✅ Non-QM, Bank Statement, Self-Employed Options

✅ ITIN, Foreign National Programs

✅ Jumbo & Super Jumbo Loans

✅ Co-op, Condo, and Multi-Family Properties

Why Choose Us?

Fast Pre-Approvals (Same Day in Most Cases)

Competitive Rates

Personalized Service Across All of New York

Contact Us Today: 📞 718-969-7170
📍 186-09 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
🌎 Serving All of New York State
🔐 NMLS #8273 | RCG Mortgage

**Call Today and Let Us Help You Unlock Your Next Home

07/19/2024

07/16/2024

Thinking about buying a home? You want to consider everything from mortgage rates to your personal finances and goals.
My best advice: focus on what you can control and take the time to evaluate your situation.
These 4 questions can help you figure out if you’re ready.
If you want to have a conversation about how to prepare, send me a DM.

07/15/2024

Wondering if the upcoming Presidential election will shake up the housing market?

Here's what you need to know. History shows home sales may slow down a bit in November, but they usually bounce back fast, prices keep climbing, and mortgage rates tend to dip a bit.

Overall, the impact is minor and short-lived. Have questions? Let's chat.

07/11/2024

The Price of Perfection: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Home

In life, patience is a virtue – but in the world of homebuying, waiting too long in hopes of finding the perfect home actually isn't wise. That’s because the pursuit of perfection comes at a cost. And in this case, that cost may be delaying your dream of homeownership. As Bankrate explains:

“One of the most common first-time homebuyer mistakes is looking for a home that checks each of your boxes. Looking for perfection can narrow your choices and lead you to pass over good, suitable options for starter homes in the hopes that something better will come along.”
The Cost of Holding Out for Perfection
Nothing in life is ever perfect – and that's true when you search for a home too. Unless you’re building a brand-new home from the ground up, chances are there are going to be some features or finishes you wouldn’t have picked yourself. It may be as simple as paint colors, a light fixture, or the tile in the bathrooms or kitchen. Or even that the backyard isn’t fenced in. It could also be that the home itself is great, but it’s not the ideal location you were hoping for.

But here’s the trade-off you'd be making without even realizing it. In all that time you’d spend searching for the perfect place, you’d overlook a lot of homes that would’ve worked for you. U.S. News explains:

“. . . you may miss opportunities if you enter the process with blinders on and aren’t open-minded . . . Countless potential buyers never buy because of this, and thus miss great investments or never move on to the next chapter of their lives.”
It’s Time To Redefine Perfection
Especially with affordability and inventory where they are today, buying a home that needs some updates, is a few neighborhoods away from your ideal location, or doesn’t have all your desired features can be a smart move. Here’s why.

For starters, these homes are usually more affordable, which is important at a time when some buyers are struggling to find options in their budget.

And they give you a chance to make the space your own or discover a whole new area of town. You may find out you actually love that neighborhood. Or, swapping out a feature here or there after move-in isn’t such a big deal. So, look past the green s**g carpet and see the bones of the house. With a little vision and creativity, you can turn a good house into a fantastic home.

How an Agent Helps You Explore Your Options
If you’re open to a home that needs a little elbow grease or is a bit further out, let your agent know. They’ll be happy to show you how this can really open up your pool of homes to pick from. They’ll also help coach you through this process by:

1. Prioritizing Your Must-Haves: Your agent will want to revisit your wish list and separate your non-negotiables from your nice-to-haves. From there, they’ll focus on what’s really most important to you as they come up with a bigger list of options for you to choose from.

2. Coaching You To See the Potential: As you tour these added options, your agent will help you look beyond cosmetic flaws and imagine what the home could be with a little work. Simple updates like a fresh coat of paint or new flooring can make a big difference.

3. Connecting You with Local Pros: And an agent’s support goes one step further. If they know what you’re hoping to change after you move in, they can connect you with local pros who can get the job done. That way it’s less work for you, and you don’t have to worry about tracking down contractors.

Bottom Line
Remember, there is no perfect home. But with expert help and an open mind, we can find you the right home – even in today’s market. Let’s connect to see what’s out there.

05/16/2024

Struggling to find your first home that fits both your lifestyle and budget? Consider condos. They're smaller and that means they may be easier on the wallet. And with added perks like low maintenance and community amenities, condos might just be your smartest move. DM me to learn more about the condos available in our area.

05/09/2024

In today's tight inventory market, you probably want more options for your search. And new home construction could be a game-changer. Right now, there are more new builds than the norm. But that doesn’t mean we’re overbuilding – there's still a shortage. It just means more options for you. Have questions about what’s available near us? DM me.

05/02/2024

What Is Going on with Mortgage Rates?

You may have heard mortgage rates are going to stay a bit higher for longer than originally expected. And if you’re wondering why, the answer lies in the latest economic data. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening with mortgage rates and what experts say is ahead.

Economic Factors That Impact Mortgage Rates
When it comes to mortgage rates, things like the job market, the pace of inflation, consumer spending, geopolitical uncertainty, and more all have an impact. Another factor at play is the Federal Reserve (the Fed) and its decisions on monetary policy. And that’s what you may be hearing a lot about right now. Here’s why.

The Fed decided to start raising the Federal Funds Rate to try to slow down the economy (and inflation) in early 2022. That rate impacts how much it costs banks to borrow money from each other. It doesn't determine mortgage rates, but mortgage rates do respond when this happens. And that’s when mortgage rates started to really climb.

And while there’s been a ton of headway seeing inflation come down since then, it still isn’t back to where the Fed wants it to be (2%). The graph below shows inflation since the spike in early 2022, and where we are now compared to their target rate:

No Caption Received

As the graph shows, we’re much closer to their goal of 2% inflation than we were in 2022 – but we’re not there yet. It's even inched up a hair over the last 3 months – and that’s having an impact on the Fed’s plans. As Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, explains:

“Strong incoming economic and inflation data has caused the market to re-evaluate the path of monetary policy, leading to higher mortgage rates.”
Basically, long story short, inflation and its impact on the broader economy are going to be key moving forward. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says:

“It’s the longer-term outlook for economic growth and inflation that have the greatest bearing on the level and direction of mortgage rates. Inflation, inflation, inflation — that’s really the hub on the wheel.”
When Will Mortgage Rates Come Down?
Based on current market data, experts think inflation will be more under control and we still may see the Fed lower the Federal Funds Rate this year. It’ll just be later than originally expected. As Mike Fratantoni, Chief Economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), said in response to the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision yesterday:

“The FOMC did not change the federal funds target at its May meeting, as incoming data regarding the strength of the economy and stubbornly high inflation have resulted in a shift in the timing of a first rate cut. We expect mortgage rates to drop later this year, but not as far or as fast as we previously had predicted.”
In the simplest sense, what this says is that mortgage rates should still come down later this year. But timing can shift as new employment and economic data come in, geopolitical uncertainty remains, and more. This is one of the reasons it’s usually not a good strategy to try to time the market. An article in Bankrate gives buyers this advice:

“ . . . trying to time the market is generally a bad idea. If buying a house is the right move for you now, don’t stress about trends or economic outlooks.”
Bottom Line
If you have questions about what’s happening in the housing market and what that means for you, let’s connect.

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.

You may have heard mortgage rates are going to stay a bit higher for longer than originally expected.

03/04/2024

What To Know About Credit Scores Before Buying a Home

March 4, 2024

For Buyers
If you want to buy a home, you should know your credit score is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage. Lenders review your credit to see if you typically make payments on time, pay back debts, and more. Your credit score can also help determine your mortgage rate. An article from US Bank explains:

“A credit score isn’t the only deciding factor on your mortgage application, but it’s a significant one. So, when you’re house shopping, it’s important to know where your credit stands and how to use it to get the best mortgage rate possible.”
That means your credit score may feel even more important to your homebuying plans right now since mortgage rates are a key factor in affordability. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the median credit score in the U.S. for those taking out a mortgage is 770. But that doesn’t mean your credit score has to be perfect. The same article from US Bank explains:

“Your credit score (commonly called a FICO Score) can range from 300 at the low end to 850 at the high end. A score of 740 or above is generally considered very good, but you don’t need that score or above to buy a home.”
Working with a trusted lender is the best way to get more information on how your credit score could factor into your home loan and the mortgage rate you’re able to get. As FICO says:

“While many lenders use credit scores like FICO Scores to help them make lending decisions, each lender has its own strategy, including the level of risk it finds acceptable. There is no single “cutoff score” used by all lenders and there are many additional factors that lenders may use to determine your actual interest rates.”
If you’re looking for ways to improve your score, Experian highlights some things you may want to focus on:

Your Payment History: Late payments can have a negative impact by dropping your score. Focus on making payments on time and paying any existing late charges quickly.
Your Debt Amount (relative to your credit limits): When it comes to your available credit amount, the less you’re using, the better. Focus on keeping this number as low as possible.
Credit Applications: If you’re looking to buy something, don’t apply for additional credit. When you apply for new credit, it could result in a hard inquiry on your credit that drops your score.
Bottom Line
Finding ways to make your credit score better could help you get a lower mortgage rate. If you want to learn more, talk to a trusted lender.

If you want to buy a home, you should know your credit score is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage.