The Villadom Times Weekly Newspaper Online-Jun 23, 2010 Issue

Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • June 23, 2010 Business June is National Homeownership Month, and Atlantic Stewardship Bank and the other nearly 8,000 members of the Independent Community Bankers of America continue to help Americans throughout the country become, and remain, homeowners each year through the personal attention only a local community bank can provide. “Community banks take the extra steps necessary to give potential homebuyers the service and attention they need,” said ICBA Chairman Jim MacPhee. “They can help their customers evaluate whether the time is right for them to purchase a home, determine the most affordable mortgage options for their situation, and provide them with information to help the process go more smoothly.” ICBA and Atlantic Stewardship Bank offer the following suggestions for homebuyers: Know all the sources and amounts of your monthly income and know your budget, including how much you spend on rent, utilities, entertainment, clothing, food, and transportation. Gather and organize paperwork, such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns, and bank and investment statements. Check your credit report and bring it to your community banker. Credit reporting agencies must give you one free report annually. Access your credit at www.ftc.gov/freereports. Work with your community banker to figure out how much you can borrow and which mortgage product is right for you. Your community banker will carefully explain the mortgage options of each mortgage product available, including rate adjustments, fees, and other loan features, so you aren’t surprised by payment increases down the road. Talk to your community bank before you begin looking for a home. Your community banker can tell you what current mortgage rates are and help you understand how that translates into monthly mortgage payments. This will help you shop for a home that fits your budget and shows sellers you are an educated homebuyer. Learn as much as you can about the home-buying process. In addition to talking with your community banker, look for classes on home buying and maintenance. Some community banks offer seminars and there are free online educational tools at www.hud.gov. Check with your local state, city and county government agencies for special first-time-homebuyer loan or grant programs available to assist with down payment and closing costs. Once you have spoken to your community bank and know what you can afford, stop by real estate open houses to see what is available in your price range. Know your rights. Learn how the Fair Housing Act protects you. Visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/ Local bank celebrates National Homeownership Month yourrights.cfm. “Potential homebuyers should visit their local Atlantic Stewardship Bank branch to learn what their mortgage options are,” said Residential Loan Manager Thomas Dacey. “Not only are community banks like Atlantic Stewardship Bank interested in helping homebuyers purchase a home, they also want to help borrowers find a mortgage they can afford and afford to keep.” Atlantic Stewardship Bank maintains banking locations in Midland Park, Montville, North Haledon, Pequannock, Ridgewood, Waldwick, Westwood, Wyckoff, Hawthorne, and Wayne. Established in 1985, ASB is a full-service community bank, and is known for its unique tithing program which provides for the bank to share 10 percent of its earnings annually with Christian and local non-profit organizations. Visit www.asbnow.com for more information. Renewing interest in life’s joys To ease the pain of spinal stenosis, sciatica, and lumbar issues, Richard Kuiken received an epidural at a local hospital. He then selected The David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit (PACU) at Christian Health Care Center for his physical and occupational therapy. The birds are singing, the bees are buzzing…. And your paint is peeling. Don’t let peeling paint ruin the season. Call GSG Painting today and receive your next paint project! YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PAINTING AND WALL COVERING PROS 10% off 201-389-6404 • Plaster Repair • Interior and Exterior Painting • Power Washing • Wallpaper Installation • Wood Staining and and Removal Refinishing • Sheetrock Installation • Restoration and Repair www.GSGPainting.com �� & FLOORING �� “I was in the PACU for about ﬁve weeks. The therapy was good, and the nursing staff was wonderful. My wife volunteers at Christian Health Care Center, and we know a lot of people who work there. Overall, I was impressed and pleased with the whole facility. It was good and clean and that is important to me. The dietitian was excellent. At the time I wasn’t eating very well. She evaluated me like I was her son. With the PACU’s therapy, I’m back to spending time as an amateur radio operator… I love speaking to people in foreign countries!” – Richard Kuiken �� Regain your lifestyle at the PACU. For more information, call (201) 848-5855 or visit www.chccnj.org. T H E D A V I D F. B O L G E R Post-acute Care Unit