Tag: Home Finance

I'm often asked for recommendations for financing.  First-time home buyers often don't know where to begin, but even veteran purchasers like to know who I suggest.  This is also important for relocation buyers.  Condo Alexandria\ Nesbitt Realty never makes any money off of loans and our only goal is to see that your transaction happens smoothly and at the lowest cost.  My recommendations are based on direct experience, so this list only includes folks I know personally. One distinction for first-time buyers: a mortgage broker is a company that arranges for loans with lenders.  Mortgage brokers don't technically make the loans, rather they get a cut from the bank for finding borrowers.  Mortgage bankers actually loan the money.  Mortgage bankers usually have good prices.  Mortgage brokers with low overhead can sometimes beat the banker's price. On the other hand, mortgage brokers without a conscience can hammer the consumer.  In other words, mortgage brokers often have more discretion on their price.

Condominium Mortgage

Condominium Mortgage is a mortgage broker in Alexandria VA.  Although we used to send the bulk of our loans to Condominium Mortgage and American Affordable Mortgage, many of the lenders that provided loans to to these Condominium Mortgage have gone out of business. This company now focuses on buyers with top-flight credit and bankable incomes, providing discount loans for high-end buyers.

Alexandria Financial

Dillon Lee runs a nearly one man brokerage in Alexandria VA.  Dillon has years of experience and can help all types of buyers. He specializes in keeping his overhead low to pass savings on to consumers.  You won't always get Dillon the first ring, but once he answers he is a great loan officer.  Call him at 703 360 8868.

Don Bucci

Don Bucci is a friend of mine dating back more than 25 years ago to my time in the Army.  Don works for a mortgage banker with an office in Richmond VA where he resides. Don can sometimes beat Northern VA prices because of lower overhead working in Richmond.  On the other hand, Don can't meet with you personally if you're buying a home in Northern VA.  His number is 804 400 0864.

Kelly Garant

Kelly works for Wells Fargo.  I think the "big boy" banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America often have great prices, but it's tough to get an experienced and accountable loan officer for these big banks.  (Tip: NEVER call the 800 number for a mortgage.) You can get Kelly at 703 442 5338. She works for the big bank but you'll get the service you expect from a small lender.

James Thompson

James is fairly new to my acquaintance but he's impressed me with his attention to detail, pricing and work ethic. James works for AmericaHomeKey, Inc.  You can call him at 240 499 1140.

A few suggestions from Patsy Woods

Patsy has had dealings with the lenders above, but has also had good experience with these lenders.

• Lila Manley --- Senior Mortgage Banker Pinnacle Mortgage Group 877-716-9006 Ext 872

• Gregory Williams --- Home Mortgage Consultant, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 7620 Little River Turnpike, Suite 300, Annandale, VA 22003, (703) 333-5560

• Kenneth A. Cyr, CMPS Mortgage Banker, Mortgage Planning Specialist, Asst. Manager Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 101, Springfield VA 22151. Call him at 703.426.6968

A few more tips ...

Credit Unions promise great rates but there is often a funding fee or other fee that basically makes the price the same as a mortgage broker or mortgage banker.  The trouble is the service at credit unions is often poor. Above all, we're I've seen the biggest problems is with out-of-the-area fly-by-night Internet lenders who hang customers out to dry after promising a great rate. Recently, I've also seen a pattern of delayed closings with Bank of America.  Bank of America has had an influx of business since the onset of the financial crisis and they don't appear equipped to handle the volume of loans they are trying to do. Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria / Nesbitt Realty.