First Home Mortgage is proud to announce its recognition on the Scotsman Guide 2026 Top Mortgage Lenders rankings, a distinguished honor that highlights excellence and performance within the mortgage industry.

For more than a decade, the Scotsman Guide rankings have served as one of the mortgage industry’s most respected benchmarks, recognizing lenders that demonstrate outstanding production, consistency, and impact in residential lending. Earning a place on the 2026 rankings reflects First Home Mortgage’s continued commitment to helping individuals and families achieve homeownership while delivering exceptional service across the communities it serves.

This year’s ranked lenders collectively closed more than 2.1 million loans totaling over $750 billion in volume, placing First Home Mortgage among an elite group of organizations shaping the future of residential lending.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our entire team,” said President Matt Nader. “We are incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and grateful for the trust our clients and partners place in us every day.”

As the housing market continues to evolve, First Home Mortgage remains focused on delivering personalized guidance, innovative lending solutions, and an exceptional experience for borrowers, referral partners, and communities alike.

First Home Mortgage is honored to be recognized among the nation’s top mortgage lenders and looks forward to continuing its mission of helping more people achieve the dream of homeownership.

First Home Mortgage is proud to celebrate a major milestone as Cathy Ocharzak, Branch Manager of the Hagerstown branch, marks 25 years with the company on April 9th.

With more than 30 years of mortgage originating experience, Cathy has built an outstanding reputation throughout the tri-state area and within the mortgage industry. Over the course of her career, she has been recognized as a top originator of Maryland CDA loans for first-time homebuyers, earned multiple Leaders Club honors at First Home Mortgage, and received Affiliate of the Year awards through the Pen Mar Regional Association of Realtors. Her commitment to both clients and the industry has also included serving on the Pen Mar Board of Directors and Education Committee.

Throughout changing markets and evolving industry conditions, Cathy has remained a trusted leader and a valued member of the First Home team. Her dedication to helping homebuyers and building lasting relationships has played a significant role in the continued success of the Hagerstown branch.

As part of an exciting new chapter, Cathy has begun transitioning leadership responsibilities to her daughter, Christina Ocharzak, who will soon assume the role of Branch Manager for the Hagerstown branch. Christina has already established herself as a knowledgeable and dedicated loan officer serving clients across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Known for her commitment to communication and customer service, Christina is passionate about guiding clients through the mortgage process and creating a smooth, informed experience from application to closing.

Together, Cathy and Christina represent both the strong foundation and bright future of the Hagerstown branch. Their shared commitment to client relationships, community involvement, and exceptional service will continue to support the branch’s growth and success for years to come.

Congratulations to Cathy Ocharzak on an incredible 25 years with First Home Mortgage and best wishes to both Cathy and Christina during this exciting transition for the Hagerstown team.

We are proud to congratulate Alex Jaffe on being recognized among the 2026 Top Producers by National Mortgage News. While this honor reflects strong performance in 2025 loan production, it is ultimately a reflection of a long track record of consistency, experience, and client-focused service.

Alex serves as Branch Manager of First Home Mortgage’s Chevy Chase office and is a Senior Loan Officer supporting clients across Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Over the course of his career, which began in 2007, he has closed more than 2,500 loans and has ranked among the top loan officers in the nation by production volume for nearly a decade.

His impact extends beyond production. Alex is deeply embedded in the DMV real estate community, where much of his business is driven by repeat clients and referrals from trusted partners. He has also played an active role in education, teaching advanced real estate finance courses for the Greater Capital Area Realtors Association and leading hundreds of first-time homebuyer classes.

Alex’s expertise spans a wide range of loan programs, including conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, and renovation financing, with a particular strength in more complex transactions such as condominiums and co-ops. His approach is rooted in communication and transparency, ensuring that clients fully understand each step of the process.

His commitment to the industry and community has also been recognized through notable achievements, including receiving the Key to the City from the DC Housing Finance Agency for closing the first DC Open Doors loan and earning a Legends Award for his continued impact within the program.

Recognition as a Top Producer is not simply about volume. It reflects a sustained ability to adapt, lead, and deliver in an evolving market. Alex’s inclusion on this year’s list is a natural extension of the reputation he has built over nearly two decades.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to Alex’s continued success and leadership.

You found the one.
Perfect location. The right price. Everything you’ve been looking for. 

But in today’s market, finding the right home is only part of the equation. 

Cash is king.
It wins bidding wars.
It moves faster.
And it gives sellers confidence. 

That’s why so many buyers miss out—not because they can’t afford the home, but because they can’t compete with the speed and certainty cash provides. 

So what if you could? 

What if you could make an offer that feels just as strong—without being a cash buyer? 

That’s exactly what the Golden Ticket was designed to do. 

A Smarter Way to Compete 

The Golden Ticket was designed to give buyers a real advantage in competitive situations. It’s a short-term financing solution that allows you to make an offer that feels like cash to sellers, while still planning to move into a traditional mortgage after closing.

Buy fast now. Refinance smart later. 

How It Works 

Step 1: Get fully approved
You are approved upfront for both your short-term Golden Ticket loan and your long-term mortgage.

Step 2: Make a stronger offer
With financing already structured, you can move quickly and present a clean, competitive offer.

Step 3: Close with confidence
After purchasing the home, you make interest-only payments for a short period.

Step 4: Transition into your long-term loan
Before the end of the term, you refinance into your permanent mortgage. 

What This Looks Like in Real Life 

A buyer finds a home on Thursday, submits a strong offer on Friday, and positions themselves as a reliable, low-risk choice for the seller. Instead of waiting, juggling timelines, or missing out, they move forward with confidence.

That speed and certainty can make all the difference. 

Why This Changes the Game 

The Golden Ticket helps solve one of the biggest challenges buyers face today: timing.

With the right strategy in place, you can:
– Compete with cash offers
– Buy before selling your current home
– Move quickly when the right opportunity comes up
– Reduce the stress of lining up multiple moving pieces

It’s not just about financing. It’s about creating flexibility and control in a fast-moving market. 

Who It Works Best For 

This approach is especially helpful if you:
– Need to purchase before selling your current home
– Have lost out in multiple-offer situations
– Are relocating on a timeline
– Want more negotiating strength without liquidating assets
 

Where This Makes a Difference 

In today’s market, preparation and positioning matter more than ever. 

The Golden Ticket gives buyers a clear path to act quickly, present stronger offers, and move forward with confidence. 

For those planning a purchase, having the right strategy in place early can make a measurable difference. 

First Home Mortgage Corporation continues to earn statewide recognition for its impact on homeownership across Maryland, taking home multiple honors at the 2025 annual partner awards hosted by the Maryland Mortgage Program.

The Maryland Mortgage Program has spent more than four decades helping primarily first-time buyers access stable, fixed-rate financing along with down payment and closing cost assistance—and in many cases, student debt relief through its SmartBuy initiative. In a housing market where affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to entry, programs like this are not just helpful—they’re essential.

Against that backdrop, First Home Mortgage stood out in a major way.

Recognized as Top Performing Lender

First Home Mortgage was named Top Performing Lender, the program’s highest distinction for production leadership and commitment to expanding access to homeownership across Maryland.

This recognition reflects more than volume. It highlights consistent engagement with borrowers who benefit most from structured assistance programs and careful loan guidance.

First Home Mortgage’s impact was also reflected in individual recognitions:

• Tammi Printz was honored as a Top Producing Loan Officer
• Ryan Paquin was named a Top Producing SmartBuy Loan Officer

According to remarks shared during the awards event by Jake Day, the Maryland Mortgage Program continues to help thousands of residents achieve homeownership each year, averaging roughly $1 billion in annual mortgage reservations and supporting more than 3,000 homebuyers in Fiscal Year 2025 alone.

Recognition at this level signals something important: meaningful participation in affordable homeownership programs doesn’t happen by accident. It requires alignment between lenders, borrowers, and public-private housing partnerships.

First Home Mortgage’s continued presence at the top of the program’s performance rankings reflects exactly that kind of alignment and a sustained commitment to helping more Maryland families step confidently into homeownership.