The lender who actually answers - and gets it closed. From first-time buyers to tough files in the Bethlehem area, Brian Marchand makes the mortgage the easy part.
“People tell me they're buying in Bethlehem. What they're actually buying is the school district — and the town line and the district line don't always agree. That's worth ten minutes before you tour.”
Brian MarchandSr. Loan Consultant · NMLS #481563
Program guidelines on this page last verified . Guidelines, limits and program terms change — verified figures are current as of that date, not a commitment to lend.
Buying or refinancing in Bethlehem shouldn't mean giving up when a file gets complicated. Brian Marchand has helped buyers throughout Albany County - from first-time buyers in Bethlehem to move-up families nearby in Albany.
This is where Brian's persistence stands out. One local buyer put it simply: the team "worked with me in spite of hurdles to get my loan approved."
Been told "no" somewhere else? That's exactly where Brian goes to work. Second opinions welcome.
One of the region’s most desirable school districts, just south of Albany. Delmar and Slingerlands offer classic suburban neighborhoods and a strong sense of community, which keeps demand - and competition for listings - high.
Neighborhoods & areas: Delmar · Slingerlands · Glenmont · Elsmere · North Bethlehem
Population, home value and income are U.S. Census / ACS estimates. For general reference only.
The school districts, the programs that can shrink your out-of-pocket, and the details worth handling before you make an offer.
Most of the town is served by Bethlehem Central School District, consistently among the region's highest-rated. The school line is typically 60% to 70% of the total bill, and rates across Albany County districts vary by 30% to 50%. Parts of Glenmont and South Bethlehem sit in Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk instead, which changes the number materially.
Brian works with 3% & 5%-down conventional, FHA (3.5% down), zero-down VA, plus USDA in the rural stretches of Albany County, and SONYMA first-time-buyer loans with down-payment assistance. First-time buyer? He'll line up every credit you're eligible for.
Bethlehem is a school-district market with a competitive offer environment, and the financing needs to reflect both.
Delmar's older core has early-twentieth-century homes on tree-lined streets; the wider town runs mid-century through recent subdivisions in Glenmont and Slingerlands, and genuinely rural parcels toward Selkirk and South Bethlehem. Three different housing eras means three different inspection profiles inside one town line.
Bethlehem Central School District is a large part of the demand here, and the school portion is the biggest line in the tax bill. On a Bethlehem purchase I price the payment off the actual parcel's bill rather than a county average, because the difference against a neighboring district is real money every month.
Well-priced homes in Delmar and Slingerlands move quickly, and when buyers stretch above list the appraisal has to catch up. Know before you offer how much gap you could cover, and understand that an appraisal contingency and an appraisal gap are two different tools. That conversation belongs in pre-approval, not after your offer is accepted.
Delmar and much of the built-up town are on public water and sewer. Head toward Selkirk and South Bethlehem and private well and septic become common, which changes both the inspection scope and, on some parcels, whether USDA financing is even on the table. Check the address, not the town.
Brian and his team were awesome and really helped me with a pretty complicated process. Can’t recommend them enough!
Brian explained everything well, was very thorough, and always answered my questions quickly. I would recommend him to everyone.
I highly recommend Brian. He consistently provides a five-star mortgage experience for my clients - quick response and deep knowledge.
Verified reviews from Google, Zillow, Facebook & Experience.com · See all 169 reviews →
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Brian Marchand · Sr. Loan Consultant, New American Funding · NMLS #481563
Works on mortgages for buyers and homeowners in Bethlehem and the Capital Region. Licensed in New York State. New American Funding, NMLS #6606 · 18 Computer Dr E, Suite 103, Albany, NY 12205.