Explore Our Mortgage Loan Options Tailored for the DC-Baltimore Region

Led by John Downs—with over 25 years closing $1.5B in loans and helping over 4,000 families—Downs Mortgage Group offers a full suite of products powered by Vellum Mortgage's innovative platform. Vellum, founded in 2018, closes over $1B annually with cutting-edge tech for better rates and efficiency in the DMV area.

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Loans We Offer

Discover the excitement of home financing with Downs Mortgage Group—powered by Vellum, where we offer everything from standard conventional and VA loans to niche specialties such as bridge financing for seamless transitions, investor DSCR loans for rental portfolios, and more. Whether you're buying your first home in DC or expanding investments in Baltimore, our range ensures the perfect fit. But products are just the start—it's knowing which to use and when that makes the difference. That's where John Downs and our team shine: With 25+ years of expertise, we educate, strategize, and tailor solutions to your unique goals. Dive into the options below!

Conventional Loans

Backed by Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac for stability. Loan Limits range from $806,500 in Baltimore to $1,209,750 in DC. Flexible debt ratios to 50%, up to 97% Financing, specials for first-time buyers with qualified income limitations.

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VA Loans

Veterans get ultimate flexibility—no down payment, low rates, efficient approvals. Perfect for MD/VA/DC military families. Drawing from my Annapolis roots, serving 4-star generals to everyday vets. Let's make homeownership easy.

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FHA Loans

FHA loans offer low barriers for first-timers or credit-challenged borrowers, HUD-backed with 3.5% down. Flexible for foreign nationals or recent credit events. We will guide you with simple explanations, building confidence step by step.

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Why Choose Downs Mortgage Group, Powered by Vellum?

Simple. Our people make it easy, and we've got a full suite of products from the most reliable sources. John Downs has personally built a legacy of success through relatable education and client confidence-building, while Vellum provides the backend innovation—rebuilding from scratch in 2018 for 10x better results. Vellum uses cutting-edge tech and lean staffing to cut costs by 50-70%, passing savings to you as lower rates. We close over $1B annually, mostly in the Baltimore-DC Metro, with expansion to California.

To us, mortgages aren't just numbers. Our job is to understand your present and future, safeguarding commitments no one else can. We've provided a range of mortgage guidance since early days, direct from every transaction. We don't just help—we transform lives through education and efficiency.

Personal Expertise: John Downs' 25+ years serving DC-Baltimore, from first-time buyers to veterans in Annapolis/MD/VA.

Client-Centered: We teach using common, easy to understand words, building confidence—helped 4,000+ families.

Innovation-Driven: Vellum's lower production costs mean better consumer rates and seamless closings.

The difference? People; plain and simple—superior service from certified professionals.

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