Don’t just lower the price. Lower the payment.
Project My Home helps approved listings stand out with special financing options that can make the monthly payment more attractive for qualified buyers.
Get your choice of buyer benefit.
Qualified buyers on approved listings may be able to choose the option that best supports their purchase strategy.
1% Interest Rate Subsidy
A 1-0 buydown that can discount the first-year payment by 1% below the note rate.
Cash Back Bonus
Uses available incentive funds to help reduce approved costs and cash-to-close pressure.
Permanent Rate Buydown
Applies available incentive toward a lower long-term interest rate.
Benefits are subject to borrower qualification, property eligibility, program rules, underwriting approval, and market availability.
The market has a payment problem.
A buyer may like the home, the neighborhood, and even the price. But if the monthly payment does not work, the sale stalls.
Project My Home changes the conversation.
Instead of marketing only the list price, the listing can be marketed around payment relief, buyer affordability, and strategic financing.
How it works
Simple, clean, and built to help agents and sellers create more buyer interest.
Submit the listing
Agent or seller sends Rick the property address, list price, and current status.
Review the strategy
Rick’s team reviews the scenario and determines which affordability options may fit.
Market the benefit
The home is positioned as a Project My Home Approved Listing with special financing available.
Help buyers qualify
Qualified buyers speak with Rick’s team to review payments, loan options, and next steps.
Price cuts are not the only answer.
Sometimes the smarter move is to make the payment more attractive instead of simply reducing the sales price.
Traditional listing strategy
Reduce the price, hope buyers notice, and risk giving away seller equity without clearly solving the monthly payment concern.
Project My Home strategy
Use special financing to create a stronger buyer affordability story and make the listing stand out in a crowded market.
For buyers
Buying a home is not just about the price. It is about the payment, cash to close, and long-term strategy.
Lower payment potential
A 1% interest rate subsidy may help make the monthly payment feel more manageable in the first year.
More cash flexibility
A cash back bonus may help offset eligible closing costs and reduce the pressure of getting into the home.
Long-term savings strategy
A permanent rate buydown may help create a better long-term mortgage payment.
For agents
Project My Home gives you a better listing story and a sharper way to talk about affordability.
- Win more listing conversations with a unique financing strategy.
- Relaunch already-listed homes with a fresh affordability angle.
- Give buyers a reason to ask about the home.
- Help sellers avoid unnecessary price reductions.
- Create better social, email, open house, and MLS messaging.
Listing presentation line:
“We are not just going to list your home. We are going to make it more affordable to buy.”
Do you have a listing that’s not selling? Let’s relaunch it.
Project My Home can help reposition an already-listed home with a stronger affordability message and a renewed marketing push.
Price refresh strategy
Review the listing position and determine if a strategic refresh makes sense.
PMH financing added
Add the special financing angle so buyers see the home through the lens of payment relief.
Reverse prospecting
Reach agents with matching buyers and give them a new reason to revisit the property.
Broker open
Create a relaunch moment with a broker open, catered event, or agent-facing showcase.
Digital relaunch
Use email, social, video, and buyer messaging to create new attention around the home.
Clear next step
Submit the property and choose “Already Listed” as the listing status. Rick will review the relaunch strategy.
Submit a Project My Home Listing
Choose the path that fits you. Agents submit listings here. Sellers can also request a review for their own home.
I’m an agent
Submit a listing for Project My Home approval or request a relaunch strategy for an already-listed property.
Agent Listing FormI’m a seller
Ask whether your home may qualify for Project My Home and whether this strategy could help attract buyers.
Seller Review FormBuilt by Rick Elmendorf
Rick Elmendorf is an SVP of Mortgage Lending and mortgage strategist focused on helping buyers, sellers, and real estate agents use financing as a competitive advantage.
Rick Elmendorf
SVP of Mortgage Lending
NMLS #485091
Project My Home FAQ
Quick answers for buyers, agents, and sellers.
What is Project My Home?
Project My Home is a specialty listing program designed to make housing affordable again. We put powerful financing incentives on approved listings so buyers can see a more affordable path to ownership and sellers can create more interest without automatically cutting price. The program can also include listing relaunch strategy, open house strategy, reverse prospecting, and social media marketing around the listing.
How does the 1% lower financing work?
The 1% lower option is a 1-0 buydown. You still get a standard mortgage, but the payment is discounted by 1% for the first year. This is lender paid. For example, if the note rate is 5.99%, the first-year payment would be based on 4.99%. After the first year, the payment returns to the original note rate for years 2 through 30. FYI: the 1% lower option is not available on every loan product, so check with the Project My Home team to confirm availability for the loan product being used.
Is Project My Home available on every property?
No. The property must be a Project My Home approved listing. Agents and sellers can submit a property for review using the Submit a Listing button at the top of this site.
Do I need perfect credit?
No. You do not need perfect credit. As long as you otherwise qualify for the loan program selected, you may be able to take advantage of the Project My Home incentive.
Can VA buyers use this?
Absolutely. Project My Home was originally born with military families in mind and started as a military relocation concept.
Can FHA, conventional, or other buyers use this?
Yes. FHA, conventional, VA, and other buyer types may be able to use Project My Home incentives. However, not every option is available on every loan program.
Is there an extra cost to me?
No. There is no extra cost to have a consultation with Rick. He will explain the program, present available numbers, and help you decide whether it makes sense.
If I do not buy this specific home, can I still work with Rick?
Yes. You can still work with Rick on another home, though the full Project My Home incentive package only applies to approved Project My Home listings.
How do I find available Project My Home listings?
You can search major home search sites by using “Project My Home” as a keyword or additional feature search.
How quickly can I get approved?
Typically, pre-approval can be completed the same day once the needed information is received. To get started, you can begin at rate.com/rickelmendorf.
How do I get a listing approved?
Use the Agent Listing Submission form on this site. Rick will review the listing, the property details, and the opportunity.
Does the seller have to pay?
No. The seller pays nothing to be in Project My Home. The only request is that if the seller is buying another home, they speak with Rick Elmendorf at Rate, NMLS #485091, to pre-qualify for their next purchase.
Can I use this on a listing that is already active?
Yes. Project My Home can be especially useful for already-listed homes that need a fresh affordability message, stronger buyer interest, or a relaunch strategy.
Can PMH help me win listings?
Yes. It gives you a differentiated listing strategy. Instead of simply saying you will market the property, you can show sellers a plan to make the home more affordable to qualified buyers.
How quickly can PMH be set up?
Listing approval typically takes less than 24 hours once the team has the needed property and listing information.
Does this cost me anything?
No. There is no cost to request a Project My Home review.
Do I need to switch agents?
No. If you are already working with a real estate agent, Rick can coordinate with your agent if the property is a good fit.
Can this help if my home is already listed?
Yes. If your listing is not selling, Project My Home can help with a relaunch strategy that includes payment-focused messaging, special financing, reverse prospecting, broker open strategy, and digital relaunch ideas.
Can I use this if I have not listed yet?
Yes. Sellers who are preparing to list can submit their property for review before going active. In fact, we encourage it so the listing can be positioned with maximum appeal from the start.
Want to make a listing more affordable?
Click the Submit a Listing button, and the team will review your scenario, help identify the right listing strategy, and be in touch quickly.
Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Restrictions apply. Benefits, pricing, rate options, and program availability are subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of financing terms.