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Passaic County, New Jersey

Mortgage Broker in Passaic County, NJ

NMLS #2560393Licensed mortgage broker in New Jersey

Dense urban multi-family in the south, lake and mountain property in the north.

01Financing homes in Passaic County

What matters when you finance a Passaic County home

Ai Remco LLC is a licensed mortgage broker based in Oldwick, New Jersey, in Tewksbury Township, serving borrowers throughout Passaic County, New Jersey.

Passaic County splits cleanly into two housing markets. The southern end — Paterson, Clifton, Passaic City, Hawthorne, Totowa and Little Falls — is dense, older and built substantially around two-to-four unit housing. The northern end — West Milford, Ringwood, Wanaque, Bloomingdale and the Wayne uplands — is low-density, heavily wooded, and includes lake communities and properties on private wells and septic systems.

Paterson is the anchor of the southern market and one of New Jersey's most active multi-unit markets. Owner-occupied two-to-four unit purchases let a share of the rent from the other units support qualification, which is one of the more practical paths into ownership here. How much counts depends on the program and on how the existing rents are documented.

Flooding is a serious and specific consideration in this county. The Passaic River and its tributaries have repeatedly affected Wayne, Little Falls, Pompton Lakes and parts of Paterson. Requirements are set by the mapped FEMA zone for the exact address, not by the town, and where coverage is required the premium counts in the payment you qualify against.

The northern townships bring rural-property underwriting into what people think of as a suburban county. Private wells and septic systems, shared or private roads, larger parcels and seasonal construction all carry program-specific requirements, and West Milford's lake communities add deeded lake rights and access arrangements that appraisers and title work both have to account for.

Clifton and Wayne are the county's largest year-round conventional markets, with substantial single-family inventory and steady demand from buyers priced out of Bergen and northern Essex. Both have condominium and townhouse stock where association reserves, insurance and investor concentration are underwritten alongside the borrower.

Much of the southern county's housing predates 1978. FHA and VA appraisals apply property standards conventional appraisals do not, and paint condition, roof life, heating systems and safety items appear regularly as conditions to resolve. Anticipating that before the appraisal is ordered keeps the closing timeline realistic.

Most Passaic County files land in one of a few programs: FHA loans in Passaic County, Conventional loans in Passaic County and First-time home buyer financing in Passaic County. Business owners can start with a self-employed mortgage documented from returns or bank statements, and first-time buyers should read how New Jersey down payment assistance pairs with a first mortgage.

Passaic County, NJ mortgage facts

2026 conforming loan limit (one unit)
$1,209,750
Source: FHFA
2026 conforming loan limit (two units)
$1,548,975
Source: FHFA
2026 conforming loan limit (three units)
$1,872,225
Source: FHFA
2026 conforming loan limit (four units)
$2,326,875
Source: FHFA
High-cost area designation
Yes — limits exceed the 2026 national baseline
Source: FHFA
County FIPS code
34031 (CBSA 35620)
Source: Census / OMB

Loan limit figures published by the Federal Housing Finance Agency for 2026 — fhfa.gov conforming loan limits. Last reviewed 2026-09-05. For reference only.

Passaic County, NJ at a glance

Median home value
$459,500
Median property tax paid
$10,001/yr
About 2.18% of the median home value
Home price change
+6.8% in 2025
+58.0% over 5 years (2020-2025)
Median household income
$87,522
Homeowners
53%
94,970 of 178,936 occupied homes are owner-occupied
Typical home built
1956
Many homes predate 1978: expect lead-paint disclosures, and older systems can come up in inspections and appraisals
Homes in a high-risk flood zone
3.7%
3,719 of 99,647 homes
Flood insurance policies
2,164
1,014 flood claims since 2015
Population
521,012

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates; FHFA House Price Index, county annual, 2025; FEMA OpenFEMA, National Flood Insurance Program data, as of August 2026. Public estimates for the county as a whole, for general information only; they are not an appraisal, a tax figure for any property or a prediction.

Passaic County housing market

Government and Freddie Mac data, updated as each source publishes.

Home prices, past year
+5.4%
July 2026 vs a year earlier · +39.9% over 5 years
Home purchase loans, 2025
3,164
+0.4% vs 2024
Average purchase loan, 2025
$522,674
FHA and VA share of loans, 2025
16.0%
975 FHA · 145 VA of 6,997 conventional, FHA and VA loans made
Refinances, 2025
2,340
1,009 rate-and-term · 1,331 cash-out
New homes permitted, last 12 months
656
+1.4% vs the year before · 83 in August 2026

Loading charts…

Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, HMDA data (loans originated); U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey; Freddie Mac House Price Index (FMHPI). Figures describe the past and are for general information only; they are not an appraisal, a forecast or an offer of credit.

02Communities we serve

Passaic County municipalities and areas

Route 80, Route 23, Route 46 and the Main and Bergen County rail lines shape commuting patterns here.

PatersonCliftonWaynePassaic CityWest MilfordHawthorneRingwoodWanaqueLittle FallsTotowaPompton LakesBloomingdaleHaledonNorth HaledonWoodland ParkProspect Park

Ai Remco LLC is based in Oldwick, NJ, in Tewksbury Township, and serves borrowers throughout Passaic County — we do not maintain a branch office in every county we serve.

03Local considerations

Passaic County home-buying considerations

Passaic River flooding

Wayne, Little Falls, Pompton Lakes and parts of Paterson have repeated riverine flood exposure. The mapped zone for the specific address governs whether coverage is required, and where it is, the premium is part of your qualifying payment. Our flood-map lookup shows the FEMA zone for an address, and our affiliated agency can quote flood coverage in New Jersey — a relationship we disclose to you in writing.

Two-to-four unit financing in Paterson and Passaic City

Owner-occupied multi-unit purchases can use FHA or conventional financing, with part of the rent from other units supporting qualification. Non-owner-occupied purchases move to conventional investment-property financing.

Pre-1978 housing and appraisal standards

Older housing across the southern county frequently draws appraisal-noted repairs under FHA and VA property standards. They are conditions to resolve rather than automatic declines, but they affect the schedule.

Wells, septic and private roads in the north

West Milford, Ringwood, Wanaque and Bloomingdale include properties on private water and septic, some on private roads. Expect testing, certification and a road maintenance agreement, with requirements varying by program.

Lake communities and seasonal construction

Greenwood Lake, Upper Greenwood Lake and the county's smaller lake communities include homes built for seasonal use and properties with deeded or association lake rights. Both affect appraisal approach and program fit.

Separated utilities in converted buildings

Older houses converted to multiple units sometimes share meters or heating systems. Lenders treat that differently by program, and it can affect eligibility as well as value.

Condominium and townhouse project review

Clifton and Wayne have meaningful attached-housing inventory. Reserves, master insurance, investor concentration and litigation are all reviewed alongside the borrower.

Tax variance across municipalities

Effective rates differ considerably between Passaic County towns, and taxes are escrowed into the payment underwriters measure. We use the actual figure for the parcel.

04How the financing works

Financing a Passaic County home, step by step

New Jersey property taxes in the payment

New Jersey property taxes are set at the municipal level and vary widely between neighboring towns, so two similarly priced homes can carry very different monthly payments. Lenders escrow taxes and insurance in most cases, which means the tax bill affects both the payment and the income you need to qualify. We use the actual assessed figure for the parcel rather than a county average, and any figure we quote before the tax collector's current bill is confirmed is an estimate.

New Jersey closing mechanics

New Jersey closings are attorney-review based on the contract side and involve title search, survey where required, recording fees and the state's realty transfer fee on a sale. Those third-party costs are set by the provider, the county clerk and the state — not by the broker — and appear on the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure the lender issues.

What we ask for to start a file

For a wage-earner file: recent pay stubs, the last two years of W-2s, two months of asset statements, photo identification and authorization to pull credit. Self-employed borrowers add business and personal returns, and in some cases business bank statements instead of returns. Retirement, Social Security, pension, rental, commission, bonus and overtime income each have their own documentation rule. Nothing on this list is unusual — the difference between a smooth file and a stalled one is usually how quickly it arrives.

How the appraisal fits in

The lender orders the appraisal from an independent appraiser; the broker cannot select or influence the appraiser or the value. The appraiser reports condition, comparable sales and, on government loans, whether the property meets minimum property requirements. If the value or the condition findings come back differently than expected, the options are a reconsideration of value with additional sales data, repairs, a renegotiation, or a different program — which is why property questions are worth raising before the offer.

Credit, debt ratios and what actually moves them

Underwriting looks at the middle of three credit scores for each borrower and at the housing and total debt ratios. Installment payments, revolving minimums, student loans, child support and co-signed obligations count even when someone else pays them, while paying off a small balance the month before application can be the cheapest fix available. Guidelines and score requirements are set by the agency, investor or lender and change over time, so any number we mention is current guidance rather than a promise.

Rate locks and timing

A rate lock protects a quoted price for a defined period tied to the expected closing date. Longer locks, new-construction locks and extensions have their own cost structures set by the wholesale lender. Pricing changes with the market throughout the day, so nothing is fixed until a lock is actually executed and confirmed in writing. We do not promise a rate, a cost or a closing date.

Refinancing: when it is worth running the numbers

A refinance is worth reviewing when the goal is specific — a lower payment, a shorter term, dropping mortgage insurance once equity supports it, moving out of an adjustable structure, or pulling cash for repairs or debt consolidation. The comparison that matters is total cost over how long you actually expect to keep the loan, including closing costs, not the rate alone. We will tell you when the numbers do not support doing it.

Working with a broker remotely

Application, document upload, disclosures and status updates all happen electronically, with a licensed loan officer reachable by phone Monday through Friday, 9am to 8pm Eastern. Ai Remco LLC is based in Oldwick, New Jersey, in Tewksbury Township, and does not maintain branch offices in the counties it serves. Verify our license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org — NMLS #2560393.

05Loan programs

Loan programs that fit Passaic County

Passaic County is a high-cost area for 2026: its one-unit conforming limit of $1,209,750 sits above the national baseline of $832,750. A loan up to that county limit is still conforming here, so buyers can finance more before jumbo credit, reserve and appraisal guidelines apply.

06Questions borrowers ask

Passaic County mortgage questions

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Passaic County, NJ?

The 2026 FHFA one-unit conforming loan limit in Passaic County is $1,209,750. Loan amounts at or below that figure follow conventional conforming guidelines; above it, the loan is a jumbo and is underwritten to the investor's own credit, reserve and appraisal requirements.

Is flood insurance required in Wayne or Little Falls?

It depends on the mapped FEMA zone for the specific address rather than the municipality. Both towns contain properties inside Special Flood Hazard Areas where a lender requires coverage, and the premium counts toward your qualifying payment. Our flood-map tool shows the zone for an address.

Can I buy a three-family in Paterson and live in one unit?

Yes. Owner-occupied two-to-four unit purchases are common here and are supported by both FHA and conventional financing. A portion of the rent from the other units may help you qualify, depending on the program and how the existing rents are documented.

What does a house on a well and septic in West Milford require?

Expect water testing and septic certification, with the specific standards depending on the loan program. Where the property is on a private road, lenders generally want a maintenance agreement as well. These take time, so we schedule them early.

Can you finance a lake house at Greenwood Lake?

Yes. The questions are whether the home was built for seasonal or year-round use, how lake access or waterfront rights are held, and what comparable sales are available in that specific community. All three affect the appraisal and the program that fits.

Will an older Paterson house pass an FHA appraisal?

Many do. FHA and VA appraisals apply property standards conventional appraisals do not, and findings on older housing commonly include paint condition, roof life and safety items. Those become conditions to resolve, which affects timing.

Do you handle both ends of the county?

Yes. Ai Remco LLC is licensed throughout New Jersey and works across all of Passaic County — Paterson multi-family and West Milford lake property are different files, but both are normal work.

Which Passaic County towns does Ai Remco work in?

All of them. Ai Remco LLC is licensed as a mortgage broker in New Jersey and works with borrowers anywhere in Passaic County, including municipalities not listed on this page. Files are handled remotely from Tewksbury, New Jersey — there is no Passaic County branch office.

What documents do I need to apply for a mortgage in Passaic County?

For most wage-earner files: recent pay stubs, two years of W-2s, two months of asset statements, identification and credit authorization. Self-employed borrowers add tax returns or business bank statements. Additional items depend on the program and the property.

Do property taxes in Passaic County affect how much I can borrow?

Yes. Taxes and insurance are part of the housing expense a lender counts, so a higher tax bill reduces the loan amount a given income supports. We use the parcel's actual assessed figure where available, and treat pre-closing figures as estimates.

Can you quote a rate for a Passaic County home today?

We can price a scenario, but pricing changes with the market and nothing is fixed until a rate lock is executed in writing. Any figure discussed beforehand is an estimate, not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of terms.

Talk through a Passaic County purchase or refinance

Reach a licensed loan officer at (732) 561-4292 or info@airemco.com. Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm ET.

Ai Remco LLC · NMLS #2560393 · Licensed mortgage broker in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida · 174 Lamington Rd #104, Oldwick, NJ 08858 · Equal Housing Opportunity. Nothing on this page is a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting and property appraisal, and program terms, loan limits and eligibility rules are set by the applicable agency or investor and can change. Verify our license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

Verified against public program guidance as of September 2026.

Ai Remco LLCLicensed Mortgage BrokerNMLS #2560393
174 Lamington Rd #104, Oldwick, NJ 08858 (mailing address) · Serving NJPAFL online and by phone
(732) 561-4292·info@airemco.com
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Important Notice. This is not a commitment to lend. All applications are subject to lender approval and applicable property and underwriting requirements. Rates, terms, and conditions may change and a displayed rate may not be available at commitment or closing. A rate is locked only when confirmed in a written rate-lock agreement.

For reference only. All information on this site — including property details, taxes, valuations, flood zones, program descriptions, calculators, estimates and any figures shown — is from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed for accuracy or completeness. It is provided for general reference and illustration only, is subject to change without notice, and is not a commitment to lend, an offer of credit, an appraisal, a tax opinion, an insurance binder or legal advice. Verify all information independently with the appropriate professional or agency before relying on it.

Mortgage broker disclosure. Ai Remco LLC, NMLS #2560393, is a licensed mortgage broker that works with a wholesale lender. We help you explore available loan programs and guide you through the mortgage process. We arrange loans with third-party providers. Ai Remco LLC does not make mortgage loan commitments or fund mortgage loans. The lender makes the final credit decision and funds the loan. Licensing may be verified through the NMLS Consumer Access database. Ai Remco LLC is not a government agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. We receive compensation for arranging your mortgage. Rates, fees and program availability depend on your qualifications, loan details and lender requirements. An interest rate is not an annual percentage rate (APR); APR reflects the interest rate and certain credit costs. Website estimates are not a Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure. Applicable terms and costs are provided in your loan disclosures. Program guidelines, agency loan limits and eligibility requirements are set by the applicable agency, investor or insurer and change over time.

State disclosures. Ai Remco LLC is licensed as a mortgage broker in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida, and does business only in states where it is licensed. Licensed by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Nothing on this site is an offer to broker a loan in any state where Ai Remco LLC is not licensed. Insurance products, including flood insurance, are offered through Ai Real Estate LLC, an affiliated licensed insurance producer, in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina, the states where it holds a license; because the companies are affiliated, an Affiliated Business Arrangement disclosure is provided in writing, you are not required to use either company as a condition of any transaction, and you may shop for these services elsewhere. This website summary does not replace the separate Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure provided at or before a referral, which describes the relationship and estimated charges. State law and any additional state-specific disclosures apply and are provided with your application documents.

Educational information and opinions. Loan definitions and program explanations provide general information; they are not personalized advice or a promise of eligibility, approval or loan terms. Commentary identified as opinion reflects the views of its author at the time of writing and may change. Examples and scenarios are illustrations, not predictions of your result. Consult the appropriate licensed professional for advice about your circumstances.

United States access only. This site and its services are intended solely for users located in the United States and are accessible only from United States IP addresses. Access from outside the United States is not permitted, and nothing on this site is directed to, or an offer or solicitation in, any jurisdiction outside the United States.

Equal Housing Opportunity. We comply with the Fair Housing Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, age, marital status, receipt of public assistance, the good-faith exercise of rights under consumer credit protection laws, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Ai Remco LLC, NMLS #2560393Larry Higgins, MS, CFM Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #2530499

Consumer resources: NMLS Consumer Access — Ai Remco LLC #2560393 · CFPB homebuyer resources · HUD

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