HomeAdvantage®
Discover how the HomeAdvantage® program can help you buy or sell your home.
The HomeAdvantage® program can help you:
Find a real estate agent and earn an average reward of $1,700
If you’re buying or selling a home, the HomeAdvantage® program is the only resource you’ll ever need to search, buy and sell.* It’s a free, no obligation program that can help you find the home of your dreams, connect with an approved real estate agent and get a valuable reward.
The first step to using HomeAdvantage is to enroll. Once you enroll, you’ll have access to the following resources:
View the latest property listings, research similar home values and compare neighborhoods and schools. You can save your favorite searches and get email alerts when new properties become available. Learn more.
If you're selling, you can find the top value of your home with a real estate agent's comparative market analysis. You'll also find home improvement tips for the best return on your investment. Learn more.
Earn an average cash reward of $1,700 when you choose a local real estate agent from our network of handpicked professionals to buy or sell your home. Learn more.
The reward is equal to 20% of the agent's commission. To calculate the reward, multiply the home sale price by the real estate agent’s commission (typically 3%), then multiply that by 20%. Use the chart below to estimate how much you can save.
| Home sale price | Member reward |
|---|---|
| $100,000 | $600 |
| $200,000 | $1,200 |
| $300,000 | $1,800 |
| $400,000 | $2,400 |
| $500,000 | $3,000 |
| $600,000 | $3,600 |
| $700,000 | $4,200 |
| $800,000 | $4,800 |
| $900,000 | $5,400 |
| $1,000,000 | $6,000 |
Reward example based on 3% agent commission.
* The HomeAdvantage® program is made available to you through a relationship between Educational Systems FCU and HomeAdvantage. Program rewards are awarded by HomeAdvantage to buyers and sellers who select and use a real estate agent in the HomeAdvantage network of approved agents. Homebuyers or sellers are not eligible for the reward if they use an agent outside this network. Using Educational Systems FCU for a mortgage is not a requirement to earn a reward. Reward amounts are dependent on the commissions paid to the agent. Reward incentives are available in most states; however, are void where prohibited by law or by the lender. Please consult with Educational Systems FCU to get details that may affect you.
Helpful Links
Enroll in HomeAdvantage® today to earn your reward.
Featured Resources
Save up to $2,500 on closing costs
Home loans to help you save money whether you're upgrading, downsizing or a first-time homebuyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply by calling 301.779.8500 ext. 5401 or online through our Mortgage Center.
Yes, our loan officers are available to answer any questions Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Please call 301.779.8500 ext. 5401.
We offer fixed-rate and ARM loans for the purchase or refinance of a primary or secondary home. We offer financing up to 97% of the appraised value.
The Credit Union accepts First Mortgage applications online in all of the contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. We are not currently accepting applications for properties in Alaska and Hawaii.
No, our Credit Union only offers financing for primary residences and second/vacation homes.
Our first mortgage rates can be found in our Mortgage Center. Our Rate Watch lets you set up rate thresholds and receive email alerts when those levels are met.
Yes, we offer rate locks for up to 60 days for refinances and 90 days on purchases.
We are a direct lender and we always retain the servicing of your mortgage. You will always make your payment to the Credit Union and if you have any questions, a Credit Union representative will assist you.
Mortgage payment details can be found in Mortgage Connect at esfcu.org.estatusconnect.com. Mortgage Connect provides access to loan details, payment history and electronic documents.
The Credit Union has multiple payment options available for you:
Mortgage Connect: You can set up a recurring or one-time payment to your mortgage through Mortgage Connect using the Payments menu and selecting "Payment Options." Visit esfcu.estatusconnect.com to get started.
Automatic recurring payments: You can set up a recurring payment to your mortgage through Digital Banking. Choose “Internal Transfers” from the left menu and select “Transfer Money”. Then, complete the payment fields and select “Monthly” for the frequency.
One time transfer of funds: You can make a transfer from your Credit Union account to your mortgage through Digital Banking. Choose “Internal Transfers” from the left menu and select “Transfer Money”. Then, complete the fields to submit the transfer.
Payments from another financial institution: Payments can be sent from another financial institution and applied directly to your mortgage loan.
Mail: Payments can be mailed in using the coupon attached to the monthly mortgage statement.
In-person: Payments can be made at any of our branches.
Over the phone: Payments can be made over the phone by calling our Contact Center at 301.779.8500 during normal business hours.
No, we do not accept partial payments, however, alternative savings and payment structures can be set up to help you budget based on your unique pay schedule. A separate savings account can be opened to deposit sufficient funds for the monthly mortgage payment. This will help you keep the funds for the mortgage payment set aside to ensure they are available when the monthly payment is due.
First mortgage payments are always due on the first of each month. Payments received after that date are considered past due but a late fee is not assessed until after the 16th of the month. To ensure payments coming from another financial institution are received in a timely manner, we recommend having the funds available and sending the payment no later than the 10th of the month to avoid any delays that many occur in the availability and posting of the payment.
There is a 15-day grace period for first morgage loan payments.
Any additional amount over the scheduled payment amount will automatically be applied to the principal.
You can also set up a principal only payment through Mortgage Connect using the Payments menu and selecting "Payment Options." Visit esfcu.estatusconnect.com to get started.
A 1098 form is sent to members with mortgage accounts that had $600.00 or more of interest paid during the year. You can access your interest paid to your mortgage through Mortgage Connect using the Loan Details menu and selecting "Balances." This provides the current and previous year information. Get started at esfcu.estatusconnect.com.
Payoff requests can be faxed to 301.985.4667 or emailed to [email protected]. Please provide a wet signed copy of the borrower’s authorization. Verbal requests and electronic signatures are not accepted as they cannot be validated or authenticated. Please allow five business days for processing.
Lien release requests can be faxed to 301.985.4667 or emailed to [email protected].
Subordination requests can be faxed to 301.985.4667 or emailed to [email protected].
Questions about your current mortgage can be emailed to [email protected]. You can also call our Mortgage Department at 301.779.8500 ext. 4045.
A monthly mortgage statement is generated each month separately. This statement is specific to your mortgage loan only.
Escrow analysis is completed annually in January. Your payment may fluctuate if there have been changes to your property tax amount or homeowner’s insurance premiums during the previous year. Each month, a portion of your mortgage payment is set aside in your escrow account to make sure funds are available for the payment of your property taxes and homeowner’s insurance when these payments are due.
If you are in any jurisdiction other than the state of Maryland, please email the bill to [email protected].
Email a copy of the new policy along with any invoice for the premium due to [email protected]. If you are receiving a refund from the cancelled policy, it is suggested to deposit the refund into your escrow account to limit shortages in your escrow account.
We are here to help. If you have more questions please call us at 301.779.8500 ext. 5401 or send an email to [email protected].
Reward example based on 3% agent commission.
* The HomeAdvantage® program is made available to you through a relationship between Educational Systems FCU and HomeAdvantage. Program rewards are awarded by HomeAdvantage to buyers and sellers who select and use a real-estate agent in the HomeAdvantage network of approved agents. Home buyers or sellers are not eligible for the reward if they use an agent outside this network. Using Educational Systems FCU for a mortgage is not a requirement to earn a reward. Reward amounts are dependent on the commissions paid to the agent. Reward incentives are available in most states; however, are void where prohibited by law or by the lender. Please consult with Educational Systems FCU to get details that may affect you.