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Headshot of Luke Pickel wearing light blue dress shirt and black suit coat with white background

Luke Pickel

Loan Officer
NMLS #143399
5.0 Rating (134 Reviews on Experience.com)

Easton Branch
2240 Northampton St
Easton, PA 18042

CUSTOMERS Come First

Whether you dream about purchasing your first home, or third, we are here to help your homeownership dream become a reality—which is why we’ve made buying a home easier than ever with our leading-edge technology, alleviating piles of traditional paperwork.

When you work with Novus Home Mortgage, you can close on your home simply faster with our digital mortgage application process. 

Why Homebuyers Love Working with NOVUS

Buying or refinancing a home is a big decision. You deserve straight answers. No jargon. No guesswork. You get clear explanations, real guidance, and consistent updates from pre-approval through closing.

Your goals, budget, and timeline are unique, so your mortgage should be too. Whether you are exploring:

• Conventional financing
• FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loans
• VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) loans
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) loans
• Investment property loans
• Second home loans
• Construction loans
• And more!

We help you compare your options and choose a loan that fits your life.

You should never feel like just another name on a list. With Novus, you get a loan officer who truly listens, cares about your goals, and guides you through every step with clarity and support. We blend personal care with smart technology to make your experience easier long after the closing table.

TEMPORARY RATE BUYDOWN FAQs

Answers to the most common questions about temporary rate buydowns, including costs, qualification, loan eligibility, refinancing, and seller contributions.

Novus Home Mortgage contributes up to the amount shown above. The seller then negotiates their share on top. It can also be funded by a builder, or by the buyer. The seller’s portion is agreed per property and written into the contract — it is not automatic and not a standing offer on every home.

Sometimes a seller lists slightly higher to fund their share, and sometimes they fund it out of the existing price. Either way the buyer sees the price and the credit in the contract. What a buydown avoids is a public price reduction, which is why sellers often prefer it.

No. Discount points permanently reduce the note rate for the life of the loan. A temporary buydown leaves the note rate alone and subsidizes the payment for the first year or two from an escrow account. Points cost more; a temporary buydown buys a bigger visible drop for less money, but it does not last.

The full note rate, not the reduced year-one rate. That’s the part people get wrong. A temporary buydown lowers what you pay in the early years; it does not increase how much you can borrow. A permanent buydown does lower the qualifying rate.

Funds left in the buydown escrow are generally applied to the payoff, so the unused portion is not lost. The exact treatment is set by the buydown agreement on your specific loan — ask before you assume.

Conventional, FHA and VA all permit temporary buydowns, subject to program rules and occupancy restrictions. Contribution limits differ by program and by how much you put down. We confirm what a specific file allows before anything goes into a contract.

A price cut moves the monthly payment surprisingly little. The same money aimed at the rate moves it a lot more — so the home reaches buyers who were shopping below the price. It also avoids a public reduction and the days-on-market story that follows one.

That’s exactly what this is for. Put in the list price and the contribution you think the seller would consider, and it shows the payment story you can take to them. For the full picture — net proceeds, price-cut comparison, contribution limits — call and we’ll build it on the actual property.

Learn how to Buy Your First Home

Buying a home is a big step — and I’m here to make it easier. I’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you find the right loan to fit your life and goals.

Our Services

Younger woman in her new home

Home Purchase Loans

Expert guidance through the home buying process
Young family with children in new home

Refinancing Options

Solutions to lower your interest rate or monthly payments
Younger couple starting out in first home

Personalized Consultations

One-on-one meetings to discuss your financial goals
Family outside just sold new home

Loan Program Guidance

Detailed explanations of different loan programs available

In Our Community

Our work doesn’t stop at helping families buy homes—we’re committed to strengthening the places we live and work. From sponsoring youth programs to supporting local charities, we’re proud to give back to our community.

Younger couple in new home with plants

Proudly Giving Back

We volunteer, sponsor local events, and support programs that strengthen our community.
Older couple walking into new home

Local Food Drives

We partner with local food banks to fight hunger, sponsoring community drives that help families in need.
Couple enjoying move-in day in new home

Youth Sports Sponsorships

We’re proud to support local youth sports programs, helping kids build teamwork, confidence, and lifelong skills both on and off the field.

Estimate your mortgage

See estimated monthly payments based on your loan details. Compare scenarios to find what best fits your budget.

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5%

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$1421

Monthly Payment

Principal & Interest $1421

Monthly Taxes $1421

Monthly HOA $1421

Monthly Insurance $1421

Monthly PMI $0

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5%

1%

5%

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$

$1421

Monthly FHA Payment

Principal & Interest $1421

Monthly Taxes $1421

Monthly HOA $1421

Monthly Insurance $1421

Up-Front MIP (1.75%)$0

Monthly Mortgage Insurance $0

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0%

5%

1%

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$

$1421

Monthly VA Payment

Principal & Interest $1421

Monthly Taxes $1421

Monthly HOA $1421

Monthly Insurance $1421

Purchase Price $1421

VA Funding Fee $1421

Amount Financed $1421

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You can afford up to

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Principal & Interest $

Tax $

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Refinancing could save you

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New monthly payment $

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Lifetime Savings $

Steps to Easy Home Buying with Novus

Buying a home is a major milestone. You deserve a path to homeownership that feels clear and supported at every step. The Novus Path brings together experienced loan officers, innovative technology, and industry-leading knowledge in both traditional and Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non-QM) lending.

Younger woman in her new home

Get Pre-Approved

A Novus pre-approval gives you a clear idea of what you can afford, helps you understand your loan options, and strengthens your offer when it is time to make a move.
Unboxing and move in day

Explore Your Loan Options

From conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans to Non-QM, jumbo financing, and down payment assistance programs, we help you compare options and choose the one that fits your goals.
Younger couple starting out in first home

Find the Right Home

With your pre-approval in hand, you and your real estate agent can focus on homes that match your budget and priorities. Your loan officer stays connected throughout your search to answer questions and offer guidance.
New couple in home during move in day

Apply and Submit Documents

Our technology makes it easy to apply, upload documents, and see what’s next. Your loan officer will walk you through exactly what is needed and help you stay organized to keep your application on track.
First time homebuyer with my new home sign

Processing and Underwriting

Our team reviews your file, verifies your information, and prepares your loan for underwriting. Underwriting is the step where a loan expert reviews your financial details to make sure everything meets the guidelines for your loan. We keep you updated throughout the process and let you know if anything else is needed to keep your loan moving.
Family outside just sold new home

Closing, Getting Your Keys, And Beyond

Once your loan is cleared to close, you’ll sign your final documents and celebrate becoming a homeowner. Your Novus loan officer is here for you long after closing, whether you need answers, updates, or help with future financing.

Real Stories from Real Owners

Luke was pleasant, knowledgeable and keot great communication with us during the whole proces.
Justin M.
WIND GAP, PA
October 17, 2026
Luke and Nicole were great with communicating and guiding us through the entire process.
Carla M.
KRESGEVILLE, PA
October 7, 2026
Great communication and guidance
Ian M.
October 7, 2026
Luke and his team were responsive to our questions and offered an incredible turnaround time on our mortgage.
Tyler D.
ALLENTOWN, PA
October 5, 2026
Work was so efficient that it was not even worry about how the paperwork got done. He was explained everything I couldn't. I couldn't say how great him and his staff was that was just made so easy and so transparent to get ever
John S.
BELVIDERE, NJ
October 1, 2026
The team I worked with made the process flawless & stress free. I was very greatfull
Gail S.
BELVIDERE, NJ
October 1, 2026
Luke and his team were great to work with and made the whole process easy and approachable from beginning to end. Luke was prompt, friendly, and attentive throughout the process!
Hillary G.
BETHLEHEM, PA
September 29, 2026
The whole process was handled with Excellence, keeping us updated all along the way. Electronic form filing made the process easy and fast. Also being we were moving out of state the Electronic file saved us money eithout have to send documents. You will be happy you chose My City Leading.
Michael C.
September 16, 2026
Luke was amazing throughout the entire process! Can’t say enough of great things about him! Him and his team made the process very simple. This was my second time using him!
Dario
September 11, 2026
Luke was excellent to work with and very knowledgeable! He was able to answer all of our questions and some! Highly recommend!
Robert V.
September 11, 2026
Luke was and continues to be extremely helpful in the process of buying our first home. Luke is always a phone call or text away anytime my husband or I have any questions. He answers right away and is always quick to give us the answers we need. I would definitely recommend Luke and his team to anyone looking to take out a loan!
Mackenzie R.
September 10, 2026
It was a pleasure working with Luke and his team for our home buying experience. Great and timely communication, professional and courteous engagement throughout the entire process. We couldn't be happier and would not hesitate to use Luke and his team again!
Brett P.
September 10, 2026
Very experienced and made the whole mortgage process smooth and straightforward
Blake W.
September 10, 2026
We had a wonderful experience working with Luke at My City Lending. From start to finish, he was incredibly communicative, responsive, and easy to work with. Luke didn't just look at our numbers and give us a general understanding of what we could afford. He took the time to understand the bigger picture of our finances and helped us think through what would truly be the best decision for our family. We always felt informed and supported throughout the process, and Luke was available to answer questions and explain our options along the way. We would absolutely recommend Luke for anyone looking to buy a house!
Jennifer V.
September 10, 2026
Luke and team were awesome to work with and made the process so easy!
Robert N.
September 10, 2026
Luke was very informative and helpful through the process. Would highly recommend!
William M.
JIM THORPE, PA
September 1, 2026