Mortgage Knowledge Center

Mortgage Knowledge Center

Welcome to Jovia’s Mortgage Knowledge Center

It’s only natural to feel a bit stressed during the mortgage process, but we promise it does not have to be an overwhelming experience. We are committed to helping you ease that feeling and equip you with all the tools you need.

From establishing a budget to choosing a mortgage loan, the right resources can make all the difference. By understanding the path that lies ahead, there will be less uncertainty, and you’ll feel more empowered to make decisions.

What is your mortgage goal?

Payment Calculator

Calculate your mortgage payments

Use our mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payment. You can input a different home price, down payment, loan term and interest rate to see how your monthly payment changes.

Estimated Monthly Payment

Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & Interest
Property Taxes
Homeowner's Insurance
Other
dollar sign
dollar sign
percent sign
dollar sign
dollar sign
dollar sign

Advice

A family in front of their new home
Homebuying

Buying A New Home Guide

Buying a new home step by step, so you’ll never have to wonder what happens next.

Continue Reading
18 Minute Read
A photo of a couple looking at a tablet
Homebuying

Refinancing Your Home Guide

How, when and why to refinance to get the most value from your home loan.

Continue Reading
8 Minute Read
Family sitting on their couch looking at a phone
Homebuying

When it's Time to Upsize Your Home

What to consider before upsizing your home.

Continue Reading
2 Minute Read
A member working on a laptop on a couch
Homebuying

Reasons to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage

Let’s go over some of the major reasons why refinancing your mortgage may be right for you.

Continue Reading
3 Minute Read
Two women looking at a tablet
Homebuying

Five Tips For a Successful Home Loan Approval

Set yourself up for success with these 5 tips.

Continue Reading
4 Minute Read
A member opening the front door of a house
Homebuying

Everything You Need To Know About the Appraisal Process

Breaking down the process and everything you know about home appraisals.

Continue Reading
3 Minute Read
A member reading a newspaper
Homebuying

Should I buy a house now?

To buy or rent a home? It’s a question many Long Islanders face when choosing where to live. Everyone has an opinion, but only you can decide what’s best for you. Since no two situations are alike, the choice to buy a home now or in the future is personal. Before you sign your next lease or hit the pavement house hunting, learn the key factors you should consider before buying a home.

Continue Reading
5 Minute Read
Members having a discussion
Homebuying

How do mortgages work?

Buying real estate will likely be one of the largest investments you make. Whether it’s your first home or your dream home; each purchase is unique and may have you asking questions like, what is a mortgage? How do mortgages work? And, how do I apply for a mortgage? We know there’s a lot to understand and we’re here to help. This article will explain the key factors of the mortgage process so you can eliminate the guess work and apply and buy with confidence!

Continue Reading
3 Minute Read
A couple in front of their new home
Homebuying

First-time homebuyer mortgages

Exciting times, you’re ready to become a homeowner. Buying a home for the first time can be exhilarating and nerve wracking, especially when it’s time to apply for a mortgage. Before the search begins and house hunting starts, learn what it means to be a first-time home buyer, 10 key steps to buying a home, first-time home buyer mortgage options and how to apply.

Continue Reading
7 Minute Read
A family playing a video game on a sofa together
Homebuying

How to get pre-approved for a mortgage

The search is on! You’re in the market for a new home. Before you hit the pavement visiting open houses, you’ll want to get preapproved for a mortgage. We’ll explain how to get preapproved for a mortgage, why it’s an important step in the home buying process and the documents you need to get started.

Continue Reading
4 Minute Read
Members having a discussion
Homebuying

Homebuying 101: How to make an offer on a house

Your credit is in order, you found the right home at the right price, and you chose a mortgage term that best meet your needs. It sounds like you’re ready to make an offer on a new home!

Continue Reading
4 Minute Read
Dad playing with his kid
Homebuying

When should you refinance your mortgage?

Is it a good time to refinance? This is a common question homeowners ask themselves. Check out our tips on the best time to refinance and what to consider before refinancing your home.

Continue Reading
6 Minute Read
A member looking at a tablet
Homebuying

Homebuying 101: Fixed Rate vs Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Do you find yourself trying to figure out whether a fixed rate mortgage or adjustable rate mortgage is right for you? We can help!

Continue Reading
5 Minute Read
Family outside their new home
Advice | Homebuying

Homebuying 101: Finding the right home for the right price

Every day, Jovia works with members who are exactly where you are. We’ve got some great guidelines and tips on finding the right home and buying it at the best price possible so you can enjoy the home-shopping process rather than worry your way through what should be an exciting time in your life.

Continue Reading
5 Minute Read
Members looking at a tablet
Advice | Homebuying

Homebuying 101: Getting your credit in order

Congratulations! You’re considering buying a home-maybe your first. It’s a big step in life and it can be exciting, but it can also be a bit intimidating … at first. There’s lots of lingo to learn and lots of things to do between now and the day they hand you the keys. But, trust us, you can get there and Jovia can help!

Continue Reading
9 Minute Read

FAQs

We offer fixed, adjustable, and jumbo mortgages. To view rates and learn more about the specifics of each mortgage type, click here.

An adjustable rate mortgage, or an "ARM" is a loan where the interest rate will change periodically. Generally, this type of loan offers a lower initial interest rate than most fixed rate loans. The trade-off is that the interest rate can change periodically, usually in relation to an index, and the monthly payment will go up or down accordingly. While the advantage of the lower payment at the beginning of the loan, exists, you should weigh the risk that an increase in interest rates would lead to higher monthly payments in the future.

Mortgage insurance is also known as MI. This insurance coverage is required when you finance a mortgage greater than 80% of the property’s value. The mortgage insurance premium is based on various loan characteristics, including, but not limited to, credit score, loan to value, type of loan and amortization. Usually, the premium is included in your monthly payment and one to two months of the premium is collected as a required reserve at closing. MI may be cancelled when your loan balance is falls below 75% to 80% of the property value.

Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), FHA loans help potential homebuyers with low-to-moderate income achieve homeownership. A primary characteristic that makes FHA loans an attractive option is that they offer more flexible credit requirements.

When it comes to qualifying for an FHA loan, credit score and down payment amounts are just part of the equation. There are several other requirements that go into applying for an FHA loan. To give you a general idea of what to expect, here are a few guidelines:

  • Proof of steady employment history is required or proof of working at the same employer for at least two years
  • You must have a valid Social Security number
  • FHA loans are limited to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and citizens of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands

Helpful Mortgage Terms

Discover the definition of financial words and phrases in this comprehensive financial dictionary.

All A B C D E F H I J L M O P R T U V W
Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Adjustment Date
Adjustment Period
Amortization
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Application fees
Appraisal
Appraised Value
Appreciation
Assets
Balance Sheet
Base Rate
Basis point
Borrower
Break-even Point
Broker
Budget
Cap
Cash-out Refinance
Closing
Closing Costs
Closing Disclosure (CD)
Co-Borrower
Co-Signer
Collateral
Conforming loan
Contingency
Conventional loan
Counter-Offer
Counter-Offer
Credit Report
Credit Score
Creditor
Debt Consolidation
Debt to Income Ratio (DTI)
Deed
Delinquency
Down Payment
Earnest Money Deposit
Equity
Escrow
Escrow Account
Fair Market Value
Federal Housing Administration
FHA Mortgage
Fixed-Rate Mortgage
Funding Date
Home Inspection
Homeowners Insurance
Income
Interest
Interest Rate
Jumbo Loan
Lender
Lien
Loan Estimate (LE)
Loan Modification
Loan Origination
Loan Term
Loan-to-Value Ratio
Mortgage
Mortgage Insurance
Origination Date
Origination Fee
Payoff
Points
Preapproval
Prepayment
Principal
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Property Taxes
Purchase Agreement
Purchase Contract
Rate Lock
Rate Lock Period
Real Estate Agent
Recording Fees
Refinance
Title
Title Insurance
Title Search
Underwriting
Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP)
VA Mortgage
Walk-Through
Written Letter of Explanation

Mortgage Loan Originators at Jovia Financial and their unique identifier numbers (NMLS ID#) can be found here.
 

NMLS ID#: 543667

* Offer available for new and existing Jovia members from now until September 30, 2026, and is limited to fixed-rate conforming mortgages. Jumbo loans are excluded from eligibility. The conforming loan limit is the maximum loan amount established annually by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and will vary by state and county. Lender credit will be applied to settlement costs at closing and will be the equivalent of one (1) month of principal and interest payment amount. Borrower will be responsible for the remaining settlement costs and making their entire first payment and each subsequent payment thereafter. Escrow dollar amount, mortgage insurance, and any other payment-related dollar amounts will not be included in the lender credit. Applications submitted prior to the promotional period do not qualify. Jovia reserves the right to limit this offer, and offer is subject to change and can be cancelled at any time. Cannot be combined with any other offer. All loans are subject to credit approval and general mortgage requirements. Membership eligibility applies.