Resources

Run the numbers, then get your questions answered

The monthly math, what it takes to keep the home, and plain answers to the questions New Jersey buyers ask most.

NJ Buyer Math

What would a month cost?

Price, down payment, rate, taxes and insurance — an estimate you control. Nothing is saved.

Estimated monthly housing cost

$0 / mo

Estimate only, on the numbers you enter (30-year fixed). Not a rate quote or approval — a licensed lender confirms your numbers.

After closing

Can I keep the home after I buy it?

Qualifying for a loan and living comfortably are two different questions. Budget for all of it.

PITI

Principal, interest, taxes and insurance — the core monthly payment.

Utilities and HOA

Heat, electric, water, sewer, trash and any condo or HOA fee.

Upkeep and reserves

A monthly amount for roofs, heating systems and appliances, plus an emergency fund.

Homeowner support

Programs that help you keep the home

ANCHOR property tax relief

A New Jersey property tax relief benefit for qualifying homeowners and renters.

More information →

Senior Freeze

Reimburses qualifying homeowners for property tax increases above a base year.

More information →

Stay NJ

A New Jersey property tax benefit for qualifying homeowners.

More information →

Utility assistance and weatherization

State and utility programs for heating, cooling, arrears and efficiency.

More information →

Foreclosure-prevention counseling

Free or low-cost HUD-approved counseling for homeowners who fall behind.

More information →
Eligibility rules, benefit amounts and filing windows are set by the administering agency and change over time. Confirm current requirements directly with that agency.

Ask us which ones apply to you

FAQ

New Jersey homebuyer questions, answered plainly

How much down payment help can I get in New Jersey?
Qualifying first-time buyers can receive up to $15,000 from NJHMFA (the amount depends on the county) as a five-year forgivable second loan, and first-generation buyers can add $7,000 — up to $22,000 combined. It must be used with an NJHMFA first mortgage. Some cities and counties add their own programs: Trenton up to $15,000, Burlington County up to $25,000, Camden County up to $25,000, each with its own rules and funding. Eligibility is set by the program and lender, not by us.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
Not to work with us. Many assistance programs do require it (usually meaning no ownership in the last three years), but NJHMFA also has mortgage paths for repeat buyers, and FHA, VA, USDA and conventional 3%-down loans are not limited to first-time buyers.
What counts as a first-generation buyer?
NJHMFA uses its own definition — broadly, a buyer whose parents did not own a home, or a buyer who was in New Jersey foster care. Documentation is required. We can tell you what the program asks for before you apply.
Do I need 20% down to buy a home?
No. FHA loans start at 3.5% down, HomeReady and Home Possible at 3%, and VA and USDA loans can be zero down for eligible buyers. Assistance programs can cover part of the cash you do need.
What credit score do I need?
Each lender and program sets its own requirement, and some paths, like NACA, do not use credit scores at all. Tell us where you are and we will point you to lenders who work with that profile.
Does using the program matcher affect my credit?
No. There is no credit pull, it is not an application, and it does not decide eligibility. It only tells us enough to point you to the right programs and the right person on our team.
How much does a home really cost each month?
Principal, interest, property taxes and insurance (PITI), plus utilities, any HOA or condo fee, and money set aside for upkeep. New Jersey property taxes vary a lot by town, so two homes at the same price can cost very different amounts each month. The calculator on this page shows the full picture.
Can I buy a home that needs work?
Yes. FHA 203(k) and Fannie Mae HomeStyle loans finance the purchase and the renovation together, and our Off-Market page lists as-is homes with the renovation numbers labeled as estimates.
Are the rent and ARV numbers on your listings guaranteed?
No. They are estimates after appropriate renovation and are subject to your own due diligence — condition, renovation cost, permits and market. Nothing on this site is investment advice.
How long does it take to close?
Financed purchases commonly close in 30 to 60 days once you are under contract; cash can be faster. Program paperwork can add time, which is why we start it early.
Do you help sellers who also need to buy?
Yes. Selling and buying at the same time is one of the most common situations we plan for, including what happens if the timing slips.
Which areas do you serve?
Trenton, Hamilton, Burlington, Camden and the surrounding counties, and buyers, sellers and investors across New Jersey.
Is NJ Capital Realty a lender?
No. We are a licensed New Jersey real estate brokerage. Loans and assistance are provided by lenders and program agencies; we help you find them and get through the process.
What happens after I submit a form?
A member of the team is assigned to you right away and follows up within one business day.
General education only. Eligibility is determined by the program and the lender, never by this website. Amounts are program maximums (“up to”) and change over time; confirm current terms at the official source.

Check which programs fit me

Programs

Programs worth knowing

Name, headline benefit and who it may fit. The call is where it becomes your plan.

NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance

May fit: First-time buyers using an NJHMFA mortgage

Up to $15,000 (by county) toward down payment and closing costs, forgiven after five years if eligible.

Official source: NJHMFA →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

NJHMFA First-Generation Down Payment Assistance

May fit: First-generation buyers

An extra $7,000 on top of NJHMFA assistance — up to $22,000 combined, if eligible.

Official source: NJHMFA →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

NJHMFA First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage

May fit: First-time buyers (and some Urban Target Area addresses)

A state-backed 30-year fixed mortgage that pairs with NJHMFA assistance.

Official source: NJHMFA →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

Trenton First-Time Homebuyer Program

May fit: First-time buyers purchasing in Trenton

Up to $15,000 toward an eligible Trenton purchase, subject to funding.

Official source: City of Trenton →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

Burlington County First-Time Homebuyer Program

May fit: First-time buyers in participating Burlington County towns

Up to $25,000 — down payment plus closing costs or a rate buydown, if eligible.

Official source: Burlington County Community Development →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

Camden County First-Time Home Buyer Program

May fit: First-time buyers in participating Camden County areas

Up to $25,000 in down-payment and closing-cost help, if eligible.

Official source: Camden County Community Development →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Wealth Builder

May fit: First-generation or eligible-tract households

Up to $30,000 through a participating lender while funds last, if eligible.

Official source: Federal Home Loan Bank of New York →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

VA Loan

May fit: Veterans and eligible service members

No down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible borrowers.

Official source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

NACA Purchase Program

May fit: Buyers who complete NACA counseling

No down payment, no closing costs and no credit-score requirement, subject to NACA qualification.

Official source: NACA →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

USDA Section 502 Loans

May fit: Income-qualified buyers in eligible rural areas

Up to 100% financing for an eligible primary residence.

Official source: USDA Rural Development →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

FHA 203(k) Renovation Loans

May fit: Buyers planning repairs

Purchase and renovation costs in one FHA mortgage (limited or standard).

Official source: HUD through FHA lenders →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

HUD Good Neighbor Next Door

May fit: Law enforcement, teachers, firefighters, EMTs

Selected HUD homes at a 50% discount with an occupancy commitment.

Official source: HUD →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

NJHMFA Urban Target Area

May fit: Buyers considering a qualifying address

Certain addresses carry different limits or a first-time-buyer exception.

Official source: NJHMFA →
Tap or hover for what it does and the official source

General education only. Eligibility is determined by the program and the lender, never by this website. Amounts are program maximums (“up to”) and change over time; confirm current terms at the official source. There are more programs than we list here — speak with NJ Capital Realty to see the full picture for your situation.

Check which programs fit me

NJ Capital Realty LLC

Real Estate Solutions That Build Wealth

OFFICE

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of United States policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, or any other class protected by federal, New Jersey, or local fair housing law.

NJ Capital Realty LLC · 609-394-1114 · Owner / Broker of Record: Jerome Beckworth · njcapitalrealty@gmail.com · Licensed in New Jersey. License numbers will be listed once supplied.

This site is general education. It is not an offer of credit, a loan commitment, legal, tax or investment advice, or a determination of eligibility for any program. Program amounts are maximums that depend on eligibility; rent and resale figures are estimates and are not guaranteed.

© 2026 NJ Capital Realty LLC. All rights reserved.