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Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) offers a variety of affordable home mortgages to Virginians who otherwise might not be able to afford quality housing.  Add available special features, such as the Down Payment Assistance Grant and Mortgage Credit Certificate with a VHDA Loan Combo and increase money-saving benefits. What does the VHDA Loan Combo consist […]

For most, it is the American Dream to own a home.  It has always been an important milestone of adulthood.  But as a first-time home buyer, how do you know it is the right thing to do?  Besides the obvious benefits of owning a home, here are additional advantages of owning rather than renting. Tax Benefits […]

What is mortgage insurance? Mortgage insurance protects the lender in the event the borrower defaults on the loan. Defaults include failure to make payments because of death, medical bills and job loss. Mortgage insurance can be provided by a private mortgage insurance company (PMI) or by a government agency such as FHA or VA. How […]

Buying a home will probably be the largest purchase you ever make.  With that in mind, you want the lowest interest rate, right?  WRONG!  The lowest advertised interest rate may not be your best option.  Some lenders and mortgage brokers advertise low rates, but don’t inform you of all the additional points and fees that […]

Purchased or refinanced a home in 2016? Find out the tax benefits available to you as a homeowner. For most people, the annual task of completing income taxes is about as exciting as a visit to the dentist’s office. BUT…homeownership typically means increased tax deductions, which are generally considered to be a good thing. Use […]

Homebuyers are often not aware of how an innocent transaction such as making a credit card purchase or moving cash from one bank to another can jeopardize the mortgage pre-qualification process. Please be aware of the common areas that need special attention: Review your credit report: The best way to get a jump start on […]

As a home buyer, you may have more options than you realize to finance your investment. Figuring out which loan suits your needs requires research. Your Loan Officer will assess your situation and walk you through all of your choices. However, it never hurts to have a head start by knowing the basic categories of […]

Growing up, most of us heard the words “be prepared”. Although it sounds ominous, this advice is applied to most aspects of life, including home buying. In order for the loan process to run smoothly, one of the smartest things to do is get pre-qualified for a mortgage. A pre-qualification is an estimate of how […]