Services for Buyers

No, you do not need 20% down to buy a home. It depends on the loan type. Some programs let you buy with as little as 3% down, or even 0% for VA, USDA and Down Payment Assistance loans. We'll help you find the right option based on your situation.

• Build Lasting Wealth - With each mortgage payment, part of what you pay goes toward reducing your loan balance — this builds equity, or ownership in your home. Over time, that equity grows along with your home’s value. In the area, homes have historically appreciated around 3–5% per year. That means a $600,000 home could increase in value by roughly $30,000 in just one year.
• Protect Yourself from Inflation - Rent prices in the DMV tend to rise every year, but a fixed-rate mortgage gives you long-term stability. Your monthly payment stays the same, even as other costs go up. Over time, your income may grow while your housing payment stays constant - helping you keep more control over your budget.
• Take Advantage of Tax Benefits - Homeownership can also provide valuable tax benefits. The mortgage interest deduction, for example, may lower your taxable income - an especially meaningful advantage in higher-cost areas. These savings can help offset a portion of your monthly payment, making homeownership more affordable over time.
• Improve Your Credit Score - Owning a home can strengthen your credit over time if you manage your mortgage responsibly. Each on-time mortgage payment is reported to the credit bureaus, helping you build a strong history of consistent, reliable payments - the single biggest factor in your credit score.
• Personalizing YOUR Home - One of the best parts of owning a home is the freedom to make it truly yours. You can paint, remodel, decorate, and design your spaces to reflect your personal tastes, lifestyle, and creativity - something you can’t always do when renting.

FICO® scores, more commonly known as “credit scores”, are used by lenders to gauge your credit risk. The higher your score, the more likely you’ll be approved for a loan. Knowing your score can help you determine the likelihood of your application getting approved, and how favorable the terms of the loan may be. The 5 biggest factors that affect your FICO® score:

• Payment History Your payment history makes up 35% of your mortgage FICO® score. It is the single most important factor in determining your credit score. This includes your payment history on credit cards, car loans, mortgages, and more. As well as events like bankruptcies, judgments, liens, and lawsuits. Late payments are also considered.
• Amounts Owed FICO® credit scoring calculations consider your credit utilization — the ratio between the amount of debt you owe on a credit card and the card’s credit limit. Credit utilization has a 30% impact on your credit score, and banks use it to determine your credit risk.
• Length of Credit History The age of your accounts and how long it’s been since you’ve last used them account for about 15% of your score. Generally, the longer you’ve had the accounts, the higher your score.
• Credit Mix The type of accounts you have and how many of each, is what defines your credit mix and makes up 10% of your credit score. This includes credit card accounts and loans. Typically, having too many accounts can negatively impact your score.
• New Credit Any new credit accounts or credit inquiries can affect your score. It’s best to avoid opening new accounts right before applying for a loan. This is the final 10% of the equation that affects your credit score.