A Comprehensive Guide to Family Helping Family Mortgage (a.k.a. the Fannie Mae Family Opportunity Clause): Helping Your Elderly Parents or Adult Disabled Child Purchase a Home

May 19, 2025 by Kevin Martini

Let’s be real: the idea of buying a second home for someone else, without the sky-high rates or down payments? It sounds too good to be true.

But it’s not.

Welcome to the Family Opportunity Mortgage offered by the Martini Mortgage Group, a little-known loan program that could be a game changer for Raleigh families.

What is the Family Opportunity Mortgage?

Fannie Mae’s Family Opportunity Mortgage lets you buy a home for your aging parent or disabled adult child, as if you were buying it for yourself.

In plain terms? You get the benefits of an owner-occupied loan (lower rates, better terms), without the requirement of actually living in the home.

It’s not a loophole. It’s a lifeline.

Why It Matters in 2025

At Martini Mortgage Group, we’ve seen a sharp uptick in families in Raleigh and across North Carolina searching for smarter ways to support loved ones, without draining their own financial future.

Here’s the breakdown:

✅ Lower interest rates than second home or investment loans
✅ No minimum distance requirements (yes, you can buy down the street)
✅ Smaller down payments—making it more accessible for buyers
✅ No need to live in the home yourself

Whether you’re buying for a parent on a fixed income or a child with a permanent disability, this is the kind of flexibility most people don’t even know exists.

Common Questions (That We Get All the Time)

Q: Can I buy a house for my parents and use it as their primary residence?
Absolutely—this program was made for exactly that.

Q: Do I have to prove my parents can’t qualify on their own?
Yes. You’ll need to show they cannot afford the home themselves due to income limitations.

Q: Can I use this to buy a home for my adult child with a disability?
Yes, as long as there is documentation proving they cannot work or afford housing on their own.

Q: Can the home be close to my current residence?
Yes—unlike second-home guidelines, there are no distance restrictions.

What Most People Overlook

Let’s talk strategy. This mortgage isn’t about charity. It’s about creating security and preserving wealth.

Helping mom or dad stay nearby? That’s peace of mind.
Giving your disabled child a stable place to live? That’s legacy.

And if you’re working with a top Raleigh Mortgage Lender like Martini Mortgage Group, it’s also surprisingly affordable.

A Word of Warning

Not every lender understands how to structure this loan. And not every borrower qualifies.

That’s why it pays to work with a Certified Mortgage Advisor—someone like Kevin Martini or Logan Martini—who knows the guidelines, the strategy, and the why behind the loan.

Want to Know If You Qualify?

The Family Opportunity Mortgage might be your smartest financial move of 2025—but only if you structure it right.

Call Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini or Logan Martini for a judgment-free strategy session with the Martini Mortgage Group, Raleigh’s trusted team for mortgage clarity and confidence.

Why Deliberating on Raleigh Mortgage Rates Can Be A Misstep for Prospective Homebuyers

September 26, 2023 by Kevin Martini

In the quest for a home, many prospective Raleigh homebuyers are postponing their buying decisions, swayed by the current state of Raleigh mortgage rates. In this insightful piece, Raleigh Mortgage Broker Logan Martini from Martini Mortgage Group explores two compelling reasons this delay could be counterproductive.

Persistent Elevated Inflation

The onset of the pandemic saw the Federal Reserve roll out economic stimulus programs, coupled with significant governmental spending, propelling inflation rates to a pinnacle unseen since the early ’80s.

The annual consumer inflation soared past 8% in 2022, although recent data show a decline, landing at a 4.1% annual inflation rate. However, it’s still a departure from the Fed’s ideal 2% target.

A future dip in the annual consumer inflation rate towards the Fed’s 2% target might trigger a decrease in mortgage rates. Yet, a significant shift may continue for another year or two.

The silver lining is the concurrent rise in real estate values driven by inflation. Homeownership remains a robust avenue to amass wealth in the prevailing economy.

Surge in Bond Supply

Recent narratives reveal about $7.6 trillion of US government debt maturing within the upcoming year, mandating a refinancing at the existing market rates against the former era’s lower rates. This scenario will invariably ramp up interest expenses on government debt, breeding further obligation to cover the elevated interest charges.

Additionally, the fiscal burden of essential government initiatives like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare is skyrocketing with no downtrend in sight.

These dynamics forecast a flood of bonds entering the market in the ensuing years to cover these expenses. This influx will likely incite investors to seek higher interest rates on these bonds, casting a long shadow on Raleigh mortgage rates and keeping them lofty for at least another couple of years.

However, a glimpse back to the 1980s, when mortgage rates peaked at 18.63% as per Freddie Mac data, reveals that home buying continued unabated. Today’s interest rates are considerably lower, and with the option to refinance once inflation and bond supply find a stable ground, there’s little reason for apprehension.

Marry the Home, Flirt WIth the Rate

“Marry the home and flirt with the rate” is a strategic approach for homebuyers deployed by the Martini Mortgage Group. This phrase highlights the importance of understanding the long-term value of real estate (marrying the home) and the temporary nature of mortgage interest rates (flirting with the rate).

The fundamental principle behind “marry the home and flirt with the rate” encourages homebuyers to prioritize discovering the perfect property that aligns with their long-term aspirations. Simultaneously, it advises them to be astute and seize opportunities, regardless of the current mortgage rate environment, to secure their home investment. This approach is especially relevant as experts suggest that real estate is poised for more substantial growth.

It’s an undeniable truth that mortgage rates follow cyclical patterns even with stubborn inflation and elevated bond supply. Once this persistent inflation subsides, mortgage rates will likely trend lower, offering an opportunity to refinance and reduce borrowing costs. This prudent strategy underscores the delicate balance between acquiring a home at today’s price point and ensuring long-term financial comfort and stability.

Raleigh Mortgage Lender Logan Martini’s Expertise

For a deeper dive into the ripple effects of inflation, bond supply, or to determine if the “Marry the Home, Flirt WIth the Rate” philosophy aligns with your vision, reach out to Logan Martini of Martini Mortgage Group, a seasoned Raleigh mortgage lender serving families nationwide.

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Insights into the Raleigh Mortgage and Housing Market for Fall 2023

September 14, 2023 by martinimo

September 14, 2023

The vibrant city of Raleigh and all cities around North Carolina are prepping to witness seasonal shifts not just in its climate, but in its real estate and mortgage sectors too. This fall, there are significant insights that potential homebuyers should be aware of. Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini shares 3 things to know about the Raleigh mortgage and housing market in the fall of 2023.

Housing Inventory is Running Low

Scarcity of Homes Available:
The pulse of any real estate market is its housing inventory. This metric quantifies the number of homes currently available for sale. Another way to assess this is by calculating the months’ supply – estimating the time it would take to exhaust this inventory considering the current demand.

In a market that strikes a balance between demand and supply, a six-month inventory is typical. However, Raleigh’s current situation and many cities all over North Carolina depict a tighter scenario with just about half of that estimate. This low inventory inevitably boosts buyer competition, leading to situations where houses attract multiple offers. In such a competitive landscape, partnering with a seasoned professional could be your key to success. That is why in this market it is essential to not just get qualified but approved for your Raleigh mortgage before the home search. Obviously, mortgage approval will give you price and cost clarity but most importantly. it provides a homebuyer and a home seller with certainty.

Settling into the New Raleigh Mortgage Rate Norm

Welcome New Era of 6-7% Raleigh Mortgage Rates:
2022 saw an unprecedented leap in mortgage rates – doubling within the year. Such a drastic rise prompted potential buyers to hit the brakes on their purchasing plans. However, as of the previous fall, the dust seems to have settled, bringing the rates to hover around 6% to 7%. It’s crucial to recalibrate expectations and acknowledge that the days of 3% mortgage rates are now behind us.

The Upward Trend of Raleigh Home Prices

A Surge in Property Valuation:
If you are plugged into the news, you might be riding a rollercoaster of uncertainty concerning home prices. Here’s a comforting thought: The most significant dips in home prices are in our rearview mirror, with national appreciation on the horizon.

However, always remember, that property valuations can be hyper-local. Factors such as limited inventory coupled with robust buyer demand continue to exert upward pressure on prices. An assertion by Doug Duncan, the Chief Economist at Fannie Mae, reinforces this trend: “…housing prices are surpassing prior expectations, reflecting the robustness of demand driven by demographics…”

Given this scenario of rising prices, prospective homebuyers might want to act rather than wait, ensuring they lock in the best value.

Expert Take: Kevin Martini’s Perspective

A Glimpse Beyond Perception:
While perceptions can often blur realities, it’s essential to base decisions on tangible facts. Fall 2023 is ripe with opportunities for those willing to explore. Collaborate with Kevin Martini or a seasoned Mortgage Strategist from the Martini Mortgage Group, ensuring that your decisions are well-informed and robust.

Raleigh Mortgage Broker Logan Martini

Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini

Media Bio of the Author: Kevin Martini

Kevin Martini, empowers families to create generational wealth through real estate with the perfect mortgage strategy.

His proprietary system has revolutionized consumer-lender relationships in the mortgage industry, and as a result, he has originated over a billion dollars in home loans since 2006. Kevin’s passion and intentionality lie in constantly pursuing perfect mortgage solutions that align with clients’ fluctuating personal circumstances and market conditions. He is genuinely dedicated to helping clients make intelligent financial decisions to facilitate wealth growth, future planning, and progress toward a debt-free retirement.

Kevin has been recognized as one of the top 50 Mortgage Originators in the country. His contributions to the field have earned him features in esteemed publications such as Forbes Bankrate and CNET. In addition, he frequently shares his knowledge at real estate and mortgage conferences. He also hosts the Martini Mortgage Podcast, which provides up-to-date, factual content on real estate and mortgages.

His Instagram and YouTube channels serve as platforms for various content, including breaking news, emerging stories, and innovative strategies curated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the real estate and mortgage arena.