An innovative raffle being offered by Approved Funding, a leading local mortgage banker headquartered in Bergen County, was launched in early November via The Jewish Link. With its three decades of mortgage lending within the New Jersey and New York Jewish communities, Approved Funding has tried to distinguish itself as an innovative and benevolent financier to its clients and members of the communities it services.
Notably, this offer is not limited specifically to clients of Approved Funding, nor to those who have exclusively worked with them in the past. Shmuel Shayowitz, president and chief lending officer at Approved Funding, explains the motivation behind the raffle: “We feel very privileged to be part of a vibrant community, and were looking to do something special in a meaningful way.” Shayowitz, who lived in the Teaneck apartments after getting married and is presently living in Bergenfield, feels very strongly about giving back to the community.
Through his weekly instructive articles in The Jewish Link, he tries to educate homeowners as well as renters on the practical measures they can take to acquire their homes and manage their finances. “It takes constant reevaluation and reassessment to stay on top of your expenses.”
Shayowitz highly recommends to homeowners and renters alike “that as we approach the new year, we review our fixed as well as recurring expenses—such as credit card balances, mortgage payments, and all leases and loans, to see if we can adjust anything to our benefit.” “Life events have a way of creeping into our budget subtly, and we need to take the time to proactively review them.” In our community, where families are dealing with many high costs of living expenses, he feels it is especially important to help them manage their household and personal expenditures proactively.
Shayowitz is impressed with the dynamic growth of Teaneck, Bergenfield and the surrounding areas. What most amazes him as he deals with families purchasing their first homes or even subsequent “dream homes” is the sense of community and pride of ownership he feels among the residents. “We are a unique community, living rewarding lives, and at the same time always looking out for our neighbors in a spirit of friendship and helpfulness.”
It is with those backdrops that the idea of the mortgage and rental giveaway came to life. “Most of us experience a period during the fiscal year when we wish one of our major payments was lifted off our shoulders even briefly. As mortgage bankers, we fully relate to this need for a reprieve and so we are offering a one month’s mortgage or rental payment to the lucky winner of our raffle.”
Approved Funding has offices in River Edge, New Jersey, Brooklyn and Lawrence in New York as well as in Florida. Shayowitz holds licenses and certifications as a certified mortgage underwriter, residential review appraiser, licensed real estate agent, and direct FHA specialized underwriter. His consultations, advice and services through Approved Funding are wide-ranging, from the first-time homebuyer through the retiring snowbird or aliyah seekers.
He sees the families through the entire process, from assessing their needs, evaluating appropriate properties, managing initial and ongoing expenses, and even offers continuous advice well after the mortgage process is over. In sum, Shayowitz provides a broad consultative approach to clients of all ages and stages of life.
As the saying goes, “You’ve got to be in it to win it.” Visit www.approvedfunding.com/giveaway, follow the rules on the website, and enter to win your free mortgage or rent payment. To consult with Shmuel Shayowitz, contact him at [email protected].
By Pearl Markovitz
