Blog | Garden State Home Loans

Short Sale vs Foreclosure: Understanding the Differences

Short sales vs foreclosures? Both are often viable options made available to people behind on their mortgage payments, have a house worth less than the outstanding balance on the mortgage, or both. Though these are both the result of financial issues, they are different in their own ways. What is... read more →

May 21, 2021

Rent-to-own vs Mortgages: The Key Differences

Rent-to-own vs Mortgages - what is the difference? Home ownership is an important step in everyone’s lives. When it’s finally time to take that step, you may question which route is right for you: signing a rent-to-own agreement or getting a mortgage and purchasing a home. As with any... read more →

May 21, 2021

Pro Tips: Redoing A Bathroom on a Budget

Are you feeling bored with your bathroom but don’t necessarily have the funds to do a full renovation? No problem! Here are some quick hacks for redoing a bathroom on a budget and keeping your wallet intact. Redoing A Bathroom On A Budget Tips 1. Make Little Changes Instead of... read more →

May 21, 2021

5 Benefits of Using a Local Lender

Are you using a local lender or one of those nationally advertised mortgage companies? We have all heard the term "shop local" but what about your Mortgage? Garden State Home Loans is a local company with roots in the communities we serve. 1. Local Lenders have local connections. When putting... read more →

May 5, 2021

5 Little-Known Historic Homes in NJ

Our state has a long and rich history, so it comes as no surprise how conveniently one can find historic homes in NJ. But while history buffs may travel to see George Washington’s headquarters at Ford’s Mansion, and millennials may schlep to Seaside Heights to take pictures of the Jersey... read more →

April 16, 2021

The 5 Best Beach Towns in NJ

Do you love going to the beach all day long, tanning and swimming in the water? Or are you more of a boardwalk person, attracted to the wide variety of rides, games, and food? How about night life and going out to bars, clubs, and nice restaurants? All of the... read more →

April 16, 2021

7 Great Wineries in New Jersey

Napa Valley draws in millions of visitors each year. Tourists from all over come for the vast amount of wineries. However, you don't need to travel all the way to California to get the same experience! There are countless number of wineries in New Jersey throughout the state, making it... read more →

April 16, 2021

How to Build Your Credit

Having a good credit score is essential for getting a good mortgage rate. Before purchasing a home, make sure you have started to build your credit and that it is in a good place. Here’s how to build your credit to put you in an optimal position. How to start... read more →

January 8, 2021

How to Build a Garage Apartment

Garage Apartment A garage doesn’t have to be used for cars or for storage. You can turn your garage into an apartment. Here’s how to turn your garage into an apartment. Get clearance Before you begin any project, you have to make sure that the remodeling you’re doing is legal!... read more →

January 8, 2021

Owning vs Renting Real Estate

Let's look at the advantages of Owning vs Renting. Purchasing real estate is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s likely one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime. Just because it can be a daunting task, doesn’t mean it won’t be worth it! Let’s take... read more →

January 8, 2021

New Jersey Mortgage Rates

It’s the perfect time to learn about the current New Jersey mortgage rates that are at all time lows after the COVID-19 outbreak. Those looking to buy a home may have fewer options available now than were available in February. In today's housing market, mortgage rates and affordability aren’t the... read more →

December 28, 2020

Haunted Houses in NJ

In the Garden State and looking for some thrills? Look no further. These 5 spooky haunted houses will have you running and screaming in no time. A List of Haunted Houses in New Jersey Imlay Mansion, Allentown Commissioned in 1790 by a congressman, the Imlay Mansion has a complicated history.... read more →

December 28, 2020

South Jersey Home Loan Companies

It can be tough to obtain the best home loan with options for many South Jersey home loan companies. For us at Garden State Home Loans, we believe in providing the most knowledgeable minds to the customer for the best experience in the country. The quality of experience you'll find... read more →

December 28, 2020

South Jersey Mortgage Companies

Garden State Home Loans continues to be among the top reviewed South Jersey mortgage companies. Located in Cherry Hill, our mission is to be the home financing partner that you trust to serve your family, friends, and community. Though we've expanded our footprint over the years (currently licensed in six... read more →

December 28, 2020

New Jersey Home Modification and Refinancing

For New Jersey home modification and refinancing, Garden State Home Loans provides the best experience. We have a local office with a focus on NJ clients. Our office is dedicated to providing clients with the best tools for their New Jersey home modification and refinancing plans. There’s no better... read more →

December 28, 2020

New Jersey Home Loan Rates

For accurate and convenient New Jersey home loan rates, Garden State Home Loans has the tools for you. Founded in 2011 right in the heart of Cherry Hill, NJ. We’ve expanded our locations over the years, stretching our services to five states and counting. Staffed with hardworking, responsive, detail-oriented, well... read more →

December 28, 2020

New Jersey Home Loan Information

Garden State Home Loans is the professional team to call for New Jersey home loan information. Our office is based in Cherry Hill, and we’re dedicated to the best service for both New Jersey buyers and residents interested in refinancing. We offer the lowest industry rates and closing costs, and... read more →

December 28, 2020

2020 Toys for Tots: Garden State Home Loans

Christmas is right around the corner, and we've officially finished collecting donations for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation! Each year, we make sure that our boxes are filled with toys for children around Burlington County. As many families are experiencing financial strain due to COVID-19, we're more determined than... read more →

December 21, 2020

Small Business Saturday 2020

What started as a campaign by American Express became a national holiday when the United States Senate began recognizing the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday in 2011. Within the midst of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday aims to support local American businesses during the holiday... read more →

November 28, 2020

Giving Season with Garden State Home Loans

Giving back to the community is high on our priority list at Garden State Home Loans. Since 2017, we've made it our mission each year to provide families in our surrounding communities with Thanksgiving dinner. To see our goal achieved this year, we partnered up with Ray Moorhouse Group and... read more →

November 27, 2020

COVID-19 Safety Measures

The health and safety of our clients and employees is of the utmost importance to us at Garden State Home Loans. As COVID-19 cases begin to once again surge across the country, we want to remind everyone of the safety measures we have in place as we conduct essential services... read more →

November 11, 2020

New Jersey Home Loan Refinancing

Garden State Home Loans is your local and trusted choice for New Jersey home loan refinancing. From our office in Cherry Hill, we find the best refinancing rates for homeowners throughout the state. We keep our focus solely on New Jersey home loans, and providing our customers with a personalized... read more →

October 21, 2020

Understanding Homes for Sale by Owner (FSBO)

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) There are a few options when selling a home and one of those options is to sell it by yourself, or For Sale By Owner (FSBO). FSBO is a home that is being sold by the owner, without help from an agent. The benefit to... read more →

October 21, 2020

Breaking Down Homeowner’s Associations (HOA)

What is an HOA and how will it affect your quality of living? If you are buying a condo, townhouse, or free-standing home in a neighborhood with amenities such as a shared swimming pool, tennis courts, or parking garages, odds are that there will be a homeowner’s association (HOA). What... read more →

October 21, 2020

FHFA Adverse Market Refinance Fee: FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of this fee? A: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that qualifying refinance transactions sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be charged a 0.5% fee in order to recover from COVID-19 losses. Q: Why is the fee showing up on October 9,... read more →

October 13, 2020

Transform Your Home into a Virtual Learning Classroom

School is right around the corner, and it’s no secret that things might be a little different this year. With many schools making the call to go completely virtual this fall, parents are left wondering how they’re going to create a classroom-like environment in their home. The answer to that... read more →

August 24, 2020

The Top Strategies to Win a Bidding War on a Home

With a limited supply of houses and a large pool of buyers, its no surprise that bidding wars are becoming standard procedure. As a result of this, buyers must constantly be on their toes to ensure that the home of their dreams doesn’t slip through their fingers. While preparing to... read more →

July 20, 2020

Six Things You Shouldn’t Say When House Hunting

Homebuying is a two-way street. Not only are you looking for the perfect home, but sellers are also looking for the ideal buyers. If you're unaware of proper buyer etiquette and what to keep private from the seller agent's knowledge, then keep reading. These six tips will help you navigate... read more →

July 14, 2020

What to Avoid When Applying for a Mortgage

Buying a house can be a stressful experience that often throws unexpected curve balls. You'll likely come across numerous suggestions telling you what to do when buying a home, but what about the things you shouldn't be doing? Whether you're familiar with the home purchasing process or not, these 6 tips... read more →

July 2, 2020

Welcoming New Team Members During COVID-19

Throughout COVID-19, the Garden State family continues to grow in size. Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, Garden State has welcomed 11 new members to the team. Despite navigating these unprecedented conditions that are a challenge for everyone, we still aim focus on the most important goal: Customer satisfaction.... read more →

June 30, 2020

Download our Road Map To Buying Your First Home!

June 25, 2020

Give Super Heroes Lunch

These days, our initials (GSHL) have a different meaning. Give Super Heroes Lunch. To show our support for local businesses and our heroes through COVID-19, we will be providing lunches twice a week from local restaurants to our essential employees. To date, we have been able to provide lunches to... read more →

April 22, 2020

Garden State Welcomes New Employees!

April 6, 2020

Mortgage Rates are NOT 0%, here’s why…

There have been a lot of calls and emails regarding the Federal Tax Cut and what the markets are doing. We understand that the topic can be confusing, which is why we tried to break it down into simpler terms. Here's what you need to know: First things first, Mortgage... read more →

March 18, 2020

Garden State Home Loans Welcomes Stephen Oliver

Stephen Oliver Joins Garden State Home Loans Cherry Hill, NJ, May 28, 2019. Garden State Home Loans is pleased to announce that Stephen Oliver has joined the company as a Mortgage Loan Officer. Bringing several years of experience, vitality, and excitement to the position, Stephen Oliver comes to Garden State Home... read more →

May 31, 2019

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Painter

Before beginning a painting project, it’s important to ask the potential company you are hiring questions about their business. Here are some critical questions to ask your painting company to help you decide the correct company for you. Do you require payment upfront? While there isn’t a right answer... read more →

May 22, 2019

How to Sell Your Home in the Spring

Pay attention to curb appeal First impressions are important! The first thing a potential buyer sees is the front of your house, so make sure that the first impression they get is a good one! Clean off the dead leaves and debris from your lawn and make sure there isn’t... read more →

April 30, 2019

How to Make a Tiny Closet Feel Bigger

Small closets can be annoying. While it’s hard (or near impossible) to change to space your closet allows you, there are ways to make your closet seem larger. Here are seven tips to make your small closet space work for you. Add a fresh coat of paint – and a... read more →

April 9, 2019

Getting Your Home Ready for Spring

10 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Spring With spring right around the corner, it’s time to get your house ready for the season change. Here are some things that will help you get your home ready for spring. Test smoke alarms While this isn’t just a task for... read more →

March 8, 2019

PANTONE Color of the Year: Living Coral

Living Coral: The 2019 Color of the Year For the past twenty years, PANTONE has chosen a color of the year. This color influences product development and purchasing designs in multiple industries. Each year, PANTONE's color experts look for new color influences in areas such as the entertainment industry, all areas... read more →

February 7, 2019

What is the KonMari Method?

How to Organize like Marie Kondo If you haven’t heard, there’s a new way to tidy up that’s sweeping the nation. The KonMari method, originated by Marie Kondo, is a minimalism-inspired approach to keeping a tidy home by tackling your stuff category-by-category rather than room-by-room. When following the KonMari method,... read more →

February 5, 2019

Three Home Maintenance Tasks for February

Here are some tasks you should tackle in February to keep your home in the best shape. Clean entryway floors If you’re familiar with cold winters, that probably means you’re also familiar with road salt and snow getting tracked into your home. This can mean that your entryway floor can... read more →

February 1, 2019

How to: Organize Your Living Room

Quick Tips to Keep Your Living Room Organized Your living room is often the first room that a guest will see and is often where guests will sit. However, as it’s often the place where most people are sitting, it’s not uncommon for it to get cluttered. Clear away the... read more →

January 25, 2019

Items a Moving Company Won’t Move

Six Things a Moving Company WON'T Move Moving companies can be very helpful, especially to those who have a lot to bring to your new home. However, there are a few things that they might not be able to move. Unsealed personal care products Any unsealed products, such as lotions,... read more →

January 23, 2019

Five Home Maintenance Tasks to do in January

January Home Maintenance Every month brings new challenges you have to face in your home. Here are some things you should tackle in the month of January to keep your house in tip-top shape. Clean up the holidays Unfortunately, January brings with it the end of the holiday season, which... read more →

January 3, 2019