YOUR UNION COUNTY REAL ESTATE EXPERT
REALTOR® · Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Elite
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson · NJ · 181 North Ave East, Cranford NJ
Union County Life's real estate content, listings, and IDX data are presented under the license and control of Viviana Zapata, REALTOR®. All property searches and listing displays on this site are Viviana's displays.
Viviana Zapata, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Elite. 181 North Avenue East, Cranford, NJ 07016. Member NJMLS, CJMLS, GSMLS. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of Garden State Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by other brokerage firms are marked as IDX Listing. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. © 2026 Garden State MLS. All rights reserved.
Mortgage Corner · Union County, NJ
Where rates come from, how to think about them, and what today's number actually means for your mortgage. Written for homebuyers, not for loan officers.
30-Year Fixed
Last updated August 7, 2026
Rates change daily — call Mike for today's rate.
Rather than show a number that may have moved, reach out — Mike will give you today's real rate for your scenario, with no obligation. Last updated August 7, 2026.
Mike's Take
Mike Vrlaku
Branch Manager · New American Funding
NMLS #179115
The headline rate you see anywhere is a starting point, not your rate. Your credit profile, down payment, property type, and the day you lock all move the final number.
Don't try to time the bottom. Lock when you find the right house and the payment works on today's rate - refinancing later is always an option if rates fall.
The Rhythm
Union County, NJ
Call Mike
Today's 30-year fixed — last updated August 7, 2026
Local
Union County mortgage desk
21 towns
Served across Union County
The Rate Tracker
Sample rates for common loan types. These are illustrative examples, not a quote. Your actual rate depends on your credit, down payment, property, and loan details.
Illustrative Rates · Union County, NJ
None current — last 30-year update August 7, 2026 — each product below carries its own date. A rate older than 10 days is held, not shown.
| Loan Product | Rate | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
30-Year FixedMost Common Conventional · 20% down · 780+ credit | Not currentlast updated August 7, 2026 | ||
15-Year Fixed |
| Not currentlast updated August 7, 2026 |
10-Year Fixed Fastest payoff, lowest total interest paid. Higher monthly payment. Best for homeowners with about ten years left who want to be done. | Not currentlast updated April 13, 2026 |
FHA 30-Year 3.5% down · 580+ credit | Not currentlast updated August 7, 2026 |
VA 30-YearNo Down Payment Eligible service members & veterans | Not currentlast updated August 7, 2026 |
Jumbo 30-Year Loans above the Union County conforming limit | Not currentlast updated August 7, 2026 |
5/1 ARM Fixed 5 years, then adjusts annually | Not currentlast updated August 7, 2026 |
These are illustrative rates, not quotes. Rates shown are sample scenarios and may not be available to all borrowers. Your actual rate depends on your credit profile, loan details, property type, and market conditions at the time of lock. NMLS #179115. New American Funding. Equal Housing Lender. Licensed in New Jersey. Not a commitment to lend.
The Mortgage Memo
Buyer guidance · Union County
The buyers who do best in Union County aren't the ones who guessed the bottom of the rate market - they're the ones who got pre-approved, found the right house, and locked with a plan.
Rates move on data no one controls. What you control is your credit, your down payment, and your timeline. Get those right and the rate takes care of itself - and if it drops later, we refinance.
By Mike Vrlaku · Branch Manager · New American Funding
Free buyer guidance · NMLS #179115
If you're a first-time buyer in Union County
The single biggest mistake first-time buyers make in Union County: they fall in love with a listing before they know what they can actually afford. Here's the order of operations.
Your pre-approval number drives everything. It shapes which blocks you can consider, which bidding wars you can win, and how fast you can close. In Union County, a real pre-approval letter is part of the offer, not just a prerequisite.
New Jersey has down payment assistance programs that many first-time buyers do not know about. The NJHMFA First-Time Homebuyer Program offers up to $15,000 toward down payment and closing costs, forgivable after five years in the home.
The worst advice I hear: wait for rates to drop. Rates might drop. Prices might rise. Or both. You can't time two variables. Buy when the house is right and the payment works on today's rate.
The Toolkit
Fast, honest tools. Use them before you talk to anyone. Then talk to Mike.
What you can realistically afford in Union County, with taxes and insurance baked in - not just the Zillow oversimplification.
The single most important number in a refinance conversation: how many months until the refinance pays for itself.
Principal, interest, taxes, PMI, insurance - the full monthly picture, not just the advertised P&I number.
The NJ programs you may qualify for, filtered by income, location, and profession. Ten questions, one answer.
""I HIGHLY recommend Mike and New American Funding. He made this process so smooth and the colleagues he has working with him were wonderful. I was able to close in a timely manner with no speedbumps." — Clancy L. "Mike was so responsive to all questions between myself and our mutual client. He explained everything and made my client feel comfortable every step of the way. Even during the more stressful times he kept his calm nature and got the job done." — Amber N. "Mike responded to me very quickly and was able to get done what needed to be done for our closing." — Clancy Marie L."
Union County Life · Mortgage Partner
Branch Manager · New American Funding · Licensed in New Jersey · Lending in all 21 Union County towns
NMLS #179115
Mike Vrlaku is Branch Manager at New American Funding, NMLS #179115, licensed in New Jersey and serving all 21 Union County towns. He helps buyers and refinancers understand their options clearly before they commit.
The Mortgage Memo is Mike's straight-talk on how to think about rates and timing for Union County buyers and refinancers — the same conversation he'd have with you over the phone, written down.
732-977-9970 · mike.vrlaku@nafinc.com · NMLS #179115 · New American Funding · Licensed in New Jersey
Ask about current offers
Lock and close a loan with Mike and ask about crediting the appraisal fee at closing on eligible Union County loans. Ask Mike whether your loan qualifies.
Your pre-approval is only half the story
Real Estate Corner has the 11 AM Drop, the editor-picked listings, this weekend's open houses across all 21 towns, and Viviana - our trusted local agent.