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.

Navigating the Divorce Marital Home Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide by Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini

September 29, 2023 by Kevin Martini

In the midst of a divorce, the marital home often becomes a focal point of discussions, especially when it comes to equitable distribution and financial settlements. Certified Mortgage Advisor and esteemed Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini has dedicated years to assisting individuals through the intricacies of marital home mortgage and real estate matters during such emotionally taxing times. This article, coupled with an insightful guide, aims to shed light on the common pathways and considerations surrounding the marital home, its mortgage, and the equitable distribution of assets amidst a divorce in North Carolina.

Embarking on the Journey

The financial implications of divorce extend beyond the immediate concerns, often intertwining with the marital home’s value, outstanding mortgage, and the equity held therein. Here’s a simplified pathway to understanding these aspects:

Determining Your Home’s Worth: The first step involves an accurate appraisal of your marital home’s value. While online estimates provide a ballpark figure, a more precise evaluation can be obtained through the “What’s your home worth” tool below:

Calculating What You Owe: With your home’s value at hand, the next step is to ascertain the outstanding amount on your marital home mortgage. Review your recent mortgage statement for the remaining balance, and if there’s a second mortgage or home equity loan, sum up these balances.

Evaluating Your Home’s Equity: The final step involves calculating the equity by deducting the payoff estimate from the estimated value. This equity represents the gross funds you’d receive if the marital home were to be sold.

Exploring the Options for the Marital Home

Selling the Marital Home

Selling the marital home post-divorce is a straightforward yet emotionally challenging decision. Engaging a real estate professional with expertise in the local market can facilitate a smooth sale, ensuring you get top dollar for your home. The proceeds from the sale, after covering the mortgage and associated costs, are typically divided equally or as per the court’s equitable distribution.

One Spouse Retains the Home

If one spouse wishes to continue residing in the marital home and can afford the mortgage payments, a buyout of the other spouse’s share is a viable option. This scenario often involves refinancing the marital home mortgage to adjust the loan terms to the retaining spouse’s financial capacity. Kevin Martini and the Martini Mortgage Group offer specialized services in facilitating such refinances, ensuring a seamless transition.

Joint Ownership Continuation

In rare cases, couples continue joint ownership, either residing together in the marital home or renting it out. This arrangement requires a high level of cooperation and a clear understanding of the financial responsibilities involved.

In my professional experience as a Certified Mortgage Advisor, joint ownership continuation requires massive cooperation from both spouses.
Kevin Martini

navigating your marital home during divorce in north carolina — A complimentary and comprehensive guide on **Divorce Real Estate Guidance North Carolina** specific for those traversing the path of separation and eventually divorce with the crucial knowledge and resources required to make informed decisions concerning their marital home.

Martini Mortgage Podcast | Episode 191: Divorce and the Martial Home

Equitable Distribution and Mortgage Considerations

The court’s approach to equitable distribution of the marital home takes into account various factors, including the marriage duration, each spouse’s contributions, and the children’s welfare. If awarded the marital home, securing a mortgage under your name or refinancing the existing mortgage are crucial steps. Kevin Martini’s expertise in Raleigh marital home divorce refinance scenarios can be an invaluable resource during this phase.

5 Additional Tips by Raleigh Lender Kevin Martini

Maintain Mortgage Payments: Continue making mortgage payments to safeguard your credit score and prevent foreclosure, irrespective of your residence status in the marital home.
Open Communication: Engage in open discussions regarding the future of the marital home and mortgage. Reaching a mutual agreement can significantly reduce legal expenses and time.
Preparation for All Scenarios: Be prepared for all potential outcomes, including selling the marital home or buying out your spouse’s share.
Document Availability: Have all necessary financial documents ready to empower your attorney in advocating for your interests effectively.
Expenditure Record Keeping: Maintain a meticulous record of all expenditures associated with the marital home to ensure a fair settlement during the divorce proceedings.

Kevin Martini’s Commitment

The journey through divorce extends beyond emotional turmoil, significantly impacting your financial landscape. At the Martini Mortgage Group, we are dedicated to assisting you in exploring your housing possibilities during this transitional phase. Contact us for a complimentary Financial Transition Plan, marking the first step towards making informed decisions amidst this challenging time.

Kevin Martini’s passion lies in empowering 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, leading to over a billion dollars in home loans originated since 2006. Recognized as one of the top 50 Mortgage Originators in the country, Kevin Martini’s contributions have been featured in esteemed publications like Forbes and CNET. He also hosts the Martini Mortgage Podcast, providing up-to-date, factual content on real estate and mortgages, and shares his knowledge through his Instagram and YouTube channel, offering a comprehensive understanding of the real estate and mortgage arena.

Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini

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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.