AFC Mortgage Group is a family-founded Connecticut mortgage company that has been helping borrowers close since 1998. Three things set us apart from big banks and online lenders: in-house processing (your file never leaves our building), direct access to your Home Finance Advisor (one person from pre-approval to closing, not a call center), and every loan product under one roof (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, bridge, DSCR, bank statement, and more). We access dozens of lenders to find the right loan for your situation rather than selling you whatever's most convenient. We're licensed in 17 states but headquartered right here in Monroe, CT — and Frank Ciambriello, our founder, still picks up the phone.

AFC offers the full spectrum of mortgage products: Conventional (as low as 3% down), FHA (3.5% down, flexible credit), VA (zero down for veterans), USDA (zero down in eligible areas), Jumbo (above conforming limits), HELOC, Renovation loans (FHA 203k and HomeStyle), Bank Statement loans (for self-employed borrowers), DSCR loans (investment properties qualified on rental income), Bridge loans (buy before you sell — we lend our own money), Fix & Flip financing, Non-QM loans, and Commercial mortgages. We also work with CHFA and Time to Own down payment assistance programs. If there's a mortgage product on the market, we can access it.

A mortgage pre-approval is a formal review of your income, assets, and credit that confirms exactly what you can borrow. It helps you in three critical ways: 1) You know your real budget before you start shopping, so you don't fall in love with a home you can't afford. 2) Your offer is taken seriously — in competitive Connecticut markets, sellers and listing agents expect a pre-approval letter. Offers without one are often dismissed. 3) You close faster — much of the documentation is already reviewed, which accelerates the approval process once you're under contract. At AFC, most borrowers receive a pre-approval within 24 hours of submitting complete documentation. No SSN required to start, no credit impact until you're ready.

For most borrowers, you'll need: two years of W-2s and tax returns, recent pay stubs (30 days), two to three months of bank statements, a government-issued photo ID, and information on any current debts. If you're self-employed, we can substitute tax returns for 12–24 months of bank statements using our bank statement loan program. If you receive retirement income, disability, VA benefits, or rental income, we'll guide you on exactly what documentation applies. Don't let the list intimidate you — your Home Finance Advisor walks you through it step by step, and we only ask for what's relevant to your specific situation.

Closing costs are the fees and expenses paid at closing beyond your down payment. They typically include lender fees (origination, processing, underwriting), third-party fees (appraisal, title insurance, attorney), prepaid items (property taxes, homeowner's insurance, prepaid interest), and recording fees. Total closing costs typically run 2–5% of the loan amount. On a $350,000 loan, that's roughly $7,000–$17,500. You'll receive a detailed Loan Estimate within three business days of your application showing exact projected costs. Sellers can contribute toward your closing costs (up to 6% for FHA, 3% for conventional), and some down payment assistance programs cover closing costs too.

Yes — Connecticut has some of the strongest DPA programs in the country. CHFA (Connecticut Housing Finance Authority) offers below-market-rate first mortgages with a DAP second mortgage of up to $20,000 at low interest. Time to Own provides zero-interest, forgivable second mortgages of up to $50,000 — if you stay in the home for the required period, you don't repay it. These programs can be paired with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgages. Income and purchase price limits apply. AFC Mortgage Group is experienced with CHFA and DPA transactions and knows exactly how to structure them. Call us at (203) 452-9899 to check your eligibility — it takes about 15 minutes.

Buying a home is one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available to everyday families. Every mortgage payment builds equity — money that stays with you. Every rent payment builds your landlord's equity instead. That said, buying makes sense when you plan to stay in the area for at least 3–5 years, have stable income, and can comfortably afford the monthly payment including taxes and insurance. If you're not sure, the smartest move is a 30-minute conversation with an AFC Home Finance Advisor. We'll look at your specific numbers and tell you honestly whether now is the right time or whether it makes sense to wait. No pressure, no obligation.

From accepted offer to closing, most well-prepared files close in 21–30 days at AFC Mortgage Group. Our in-house processing means we're not waiting on third-party vendors. The biggest variable is how quickly you provide documents when requested — the faster you respond, the faster we move. FHA and VA loans sometimes run slightly longer. Jumbo loans with complex income can take 4–5 weeks. We set realistic expectations upfront and communicate every 48 hours throughout the process so you always know where things stand.

AFC Mortgage Group LLC (NMLS #2801) is licensed to originate mortgages in 17 states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. If you're buying or refinancing in any of these states, we can help with the same personal service you'd get walking into our Monroe, CT office.

Absolutely — and more easily than you might think. Traditional mortgage qualification relies on tax returns, which often understate what self-employed borrowers actually earn. AFC offers bank statement loan programs that use 12 or 24 months of bank deposits to calculate qualifying income — no W-2s or tax returns required. We also work with P&L-only programs and asset depletion loans. Self-employed borrowers are not second-class mortgage applicants. The right loan product exists — your AFC Home Finance Advisor will find it. If you've been told no by another lender, we'd like to take a second look.

Refinancing makes sense when the math works — and we'll do that math for you, free, before you ever submit an application. Generally, refinancing is worth exploring if your current rate is 0.75% or more above today's rates, you want to eliminate PMI, you have an adjustable-rate mortgage approaching its adjustment period, or you want to access equity for a major expense. The key number is break-even: divide your closing costs by your monthly savings. If you'll be in the home longer than that number of months, it makes financial sense. If you're planning to sell within 2–3 years, it probably doesn't. Call (203) 452-9899 for a free analysis.

Mortgage points (discount points) let you pay an upfront fee at closing in exchange for a lower interest rate. One point equals 1% of your loan amount. Whether it makes sense depends entirely on how long you plan to stay in the home. Your AFC Home Finance Advisor will calculate the break-even point — the month when your cumulative monthly savings exceed the upfront cost. If you plan to stay in the home well past that point, buying points can save you thousands. If you might sell or refinance sooner, skip the points and keep the cash.

Your interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal loan amount, expressed as a percentage. APR (Annual Percentage Rate) includes the interest rate plus most lender fees and costs, spread across the life of the loan — giving you a more complete picture of the loan's true cost. APR is always higher than the interest rate. When comparing mortgage offers, always compare APR to APR, not just rate to rate. A loan with a lower rate but higher fees may actually cost more over time than one with a slightly higher rate and lower fees.

Yes — real estate investor lending is one of AFC's specialties. We offer DSCR loans (qualify on rental income, not personal income — no tax returns required), bridge loans (we lend our own money and can close in 10 days), fix & flip financing (short-term rehab capital with draw-based disbursements), bank statement loans for self-employed investors, and commercial mortgages for 5+ unit and mixed-use properties. Unlike conventional programs that cap you at 10 financed properties, our DSCR and commercial programs have no such limit. If the deal makes sense, we can finance it.

AFC Mortgage Group takes data security seriously. We use enterprise-grade, encrypted document collection tools and never share your personal or financial information with third parties without your explicit authorization, except as required to process your loan (appraisers, title companies, lenders). Our team is trained on data handling best practices, and we comply with all applicable federal and state privacy regulations, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Your documents are stored securely and access is restricted to authorized team members working on your file.

Start with our Mortgage Blog — we publish practical guides, market updates, and loan program breakdowns written by licensed Home Finance Advisors. Our Mortgage Glossary covers 40+ terms in plain English. Our FAQ page answers the most common questions we hear every day. And our calculators — payment, affordability, and refinance — let you run your own numbers before you ever talk to us. When you're ready for personalized guidance, call (203) 452-9899 or get pre-approved online. The most valuable 30 minutes you can invest is a conversation with a Home Finance Advisor who knows your situation.