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Headshot of Ed Charleson, wearing a black suit with a purple pinstripe tie.

Ed Charleson

Mortgage Loan Originator/Loan Officer Assistant
NMLS #1796578
5.0 Rating (8 Reviews on Experience.com)

Branford Branch
707 Main Street
Branford, CT 06405

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%

1%

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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

I was working with Ed about two years prior to getting approved for a loan. We agreed my credit was not where it needed to be and my spouse and I worked really hard to get it up. Ed checked in with us to make sure we were staying on track towards our goal which was buying a home. After the approval he walked us through everything, explained what we did not understand, and really did his part. We even got locked in at a decent rate before it went up ! We are very much satisfied with how things turned out. We do plan to rent our condo in about two years and go through the process of purchasing a single family. I will definitely be giving Ed another call! Thank you!
Deanna Anderson .
March 28, 2023
Ed stands out as a true professional in the mortgage industry. He is extremely knowledgeable, ethical and absolutely wonderful to work with. I did not know the first thing about mortgages before talking with Ed and he took the time to educate me on all of the different options, programs and types of loans that are available. You can tell that he truly cares about his customers and he definitely an expert in the industry. I recommend Ed to all my customers, friends, and family and he is the only lender I truly trust!! If you want an enjoyable home buying experience, call Ed!
Kayla Arterburn .
January 17, 2023
Ed is incredibly knowledgeable about all things having to do with mortgages. He is great at providing options and explaining each idea or option until he is certain you know the details to be able to make an educated decision. The next time I am ready to buy a home he will definitely be who I call.
Marla Vanderpool .
October 22, 2022
Ed was very helpful with our mortgage process last year. Really kind guy who was easy to talk to and work with, and did everything he could to get us the best rate possible! We wouldn't have gotten our house without his hard work.
Jessica Cameron .
October 6, 2022
Ed was able to guide and advise me with questions about credit, refinancing and any other topics that emerged throughout the refinance process. I am truly grateful for Ed’s expertise, compassion and professionalism!
Lisa Saliman .
October 5, 2022
Ed is the only reason I was able to purchase my house. I had gone through a few different lenders, and all of them had told me that purchasing a house was not possible for me at the time. Ed took the time to work through everything and got my loan approved. He is the only person I will go to for a purchase or refi
Tony Como .
September 28, 2022
Ed was SOOO great to work with; I HIGHLY recommend him. He helped us refi twice, and worked really hard to get us the best deal, in turn saving us so much money. And the process couldn't have been easier. I've recommended him to so many friends and family. If you need a great mortgage guy, Ed's your man.
Julz B .
September 22, 2022
Ed, makes a service that could be in personal, to a level that only someone with his background could make personal. He supports you, directs you and his guidance is clear and honest. You’ll find it hard to discover better….
steve chapman .
September 16, 2022