The Experience to Find and Finance Your Home

Purchasing a home should be a wonderful experience. Although today’s market can be challenging, finding the right people to help you can be best move you make.  

Hannah and Melissa have worked together for years, ensuring that dozens of Rochester buyers have been able to locate and finance their homes — and taking the stress out of the process.    

Try the Team approach with Hannah and Melissa, you’ll be glad you did!

First-Time Homebuyer Grants Up to $10,000

GRB participates in a number of special promotions and lending programs designed to make the dream of owning a home more accessible.  The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) has rolled out new program requirements under the Homebuyer Dream Program^TM.  The program offers a one-time grant of up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a home in New York for qualified participants. 

The Homebuyer Dream Program is designed to help more people purchase a home in New York.  Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Must be first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home individually or with a spouse in the last three years)
• Reside and purchase a home in New York
• Have a household income at or below 80% of area median income
• Complete an accredited homeownership course
• Provide a $1,000 equity contribution toward the purchase
• Remain in the home for five years or repay a portion of the grant funds back to FHLBNY

Important information:

• Grant funds are distributed as follows:
  • $9,500 toward down payment and closing costs
  • $500 available for homeownership counseling program reimbursement

* Homebuyer Dream Program is a registered trademark of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

University of Rochester (U of R) and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Employee Grants

GRB is a preferred lender with both the University of Rochester and RIT.  For the University of Rochester, GRB participates in its 3+3+3 grant program, which can earn university employees up to $9,000 in grant funds toward the purchase of their first home in qualified neighborhoods. Even if not purchasing in the designated areas, GRB offers a $550 discount on closing costs to all U of R and RIT employees.  

City of Rochester Grant

Buying a home in the city of Rochester? Your household could be eligible for a grant of $3,000 toward your closing costs for homes offered on the private market. 120% Median Family Income limits in effect. Visit https://www.cityofrochester.gov/homebuyer/ for more information or call Melissa today!

Hannah Romano

Hannah grew up in the beautiful Finger Lakes in Upstate New York.

She graduated with honors from Canandaigua Academy in 2009. After high school she attended St. John Fisher College and obtained a Bachelors’ Degree in Psychology. She then went on to receive a Masters’ Degree in Mental Health Counseling. Hannah’s passion for working with people and work ethic is reflected in her creative and enthusiastic nature.

As a full time Realtor, Hannah strives to make your home-buying process as pleasant as possible because that’s how it should be! She will accomplish this through constant communication, and by being easily accessible to her clients.

Hannah embodies integrity, energy, hard work and innovative service in every detail of her real estate transactions. She has a caring and skillful personality, which is perfect for matching clients with a home that is unique to their needs. She goes above and beyond to make clients feel comfortable throughout the home buying process.

Hannah lives in Rochester, NY with her husband, Jordan, and French Bulldog, Hugo. When not assisting clients, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Melissa Powers

Born and raised in Rochester and having attended Cornell University, Melissa has always felt a strong connection to Upstate New York. After spending her post-college career as a Mortgage Trader on Wall Street, she returned to her roots and established herself in Rochester as a Loan Officer. Since returning to the Rochester area, she has taken great joy in growing our local community by helping her clients settle into homes in the “ROC.”

Melissa understands that not everyone loves math as much as she does, so her main objective is for every homebuyer to feel comfortable with the numbers before they embark on their financing journey. She takes pride in helping her clients to breeze through the mortgage process, from their initial budget conversation to the day they receive the keys to their new home. She is extremely thorough and will take extra time to make sure her clients are informed throughout the process, making herself available on nights and weekends for any questions that arise.

As a downtown resident, Melissa has become actively involved in the community through her neighborhood association and as a board member of the Carlson YMCA. When not volunteering or discussing mortgages, she can be found at Hot Shots Volleyball, on the ski slopes, or at one of our many local breweries.

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