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Incardona Shares Mortgage Expertise in Home Ownership Classes
By Mike Ference

When Greg Incardona speaks, people listen – and then they often
end up buying their first home. As the western PA chair on the
board of the Pennsylvania Association of Mortgage Brokers
(PAMB), Incardona volunteers his time and expertise teaching
classes on home ownership for free. He has also designed and
administered curriculum for loan officers at the institute.

“My involvement with the PAMB is motivated by a desire to help
shape the industry and particularly to help establish and promote
the highest standards of professional mortgage brokering ethics,”
Incardona proudly points out. Association president, John Anthony
handpicked Incardona for the chair position. He says Greg is
dedicated to the industry and the people he teaches. “Greg is just
the type of person we need on the board and representing the
association at his classes,” Anthony adds.

Each year the state requires mortgage brokers to have at least six
hours of continuing education. Some classes, like an ethics and
law class, are mandated while others are elective. Having logged
156 hours of training, Incardona decided to share some of his
accumulated expertise with the public by teaching classes.
Incardona will even bring his classroom to any company or
organization that understands the merits and virtues of home
ownership for their employees. “Home ownership is a great way to
build longevity with employees as well as that feeling of being a
part of the community,” Incardona stresses.

One class, geared toward first-time homebuyers, is titled Are You
Ready for the Road to Home Ownership. It covers the pros and
cons of home ownership, maintenance costs, tracking your
spending habits, understanding your credit history, fair housing
laws and frequently asked questions about owning a home. “The
course runs about 45 minutes, we serve light refreshments, and
we allow time for group discussion as well as specific questions
from individuals in the group,” Incardona says.

One recent class attendee, Jason Riegner, says it made all the
difference in his quest for home ownership. Within two months of
taking the class, he purchased his first home. “I knew what I could
afford to buy even before I started looking for a home,” he points
out. “And when I found the right home, I knew what type of
financing to look for. It was that easy. So I would strongly
recommend the classes to anyone before they begin their search
for a home.”

Incardona also teams up with a licensed financial planner to offer
another course, free of charge, titled How to Use Your Home for an
Asset Instead of a Liability. “It covers the big picture of financial
security and planning,” he says.

Incardona notes that in his classes he sees a lot of people with
misconceptions about owning a home. “People still think you need
10% or 20% down to own a home,” he says, citing one example.
“There’s 100% financing, 3% down — and there are so many buyer-
assistance programs available. Home ownership is at about 67%,
but the government is pushing for a goal in the 70s. All in all, it’s
probably never been easier to purchase a home, and with good
rates,” he adds.

Even past credit problems can be overcome, especially if they
were caused by a divorce or job loss. “It’s a matter of packaging a
loan with the right banks and lending institutions that take into
consideration scenarios where temporary problems occur. They’re
willing to listen when there’s a legitimate reason for a credit
problem,” he says.

When he's not speaking about the industry, Incardona manages a
mortgage brokerage agency with six loan officers and two loan
processors. “To be successful in this business, you have to pour
your heart and soul into it,” he says.

Meanwhile, Incardona’s classes have been so successful that he is
offering them on a regular basis. Class size is limited and will be
filled on a first-come basis. If you or your company or organization
is interested in taking the class, or have questions, contact Greg
Incardona at (412) 650-8580.