Posts Tagged ‘first-time buyer’
10 Step Guide to Buying a Home in DC, Maryland, and Virginia
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Home in DC, Maryland, and Virginia Navigate the Homebuying Process with Confidence and Clarity By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor Schedule Consultation Get Approved Now Key Takeaways Start with Clarity and Preparation: Define your reasons for buying a home in the DMV and create a realistic budget that factors…
Read MoreWhen to Pay for Mortgage Points in DC, MD & VA (w/ Examples)
Should You Pay Points To Lower Your Mortgage Rate? A 2026 Guide for DC, MD & VA Homebuyers By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor Ever since rates spiked in 2022, I’ve been getting this question all the time: ‘John, should I buy mortgage points to buy down my mortgage rate?’ It’s a big decision…
Read MoreGet a $20K Homebuyer Grant in MD, DC & VA (FHLB 2026)
FHLB Down Payment Assistance Grants By John Downs – Certified Mortgage Advisor Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Unlock Free Money with FHLB Down Payment Assistance Homebuyer Grants If you’re dreaming of buying a home in Maryland, DC, or Virginia but feel stuck saving for that down payment, I’ve got some good news for you. There’s…
Read More💸 First-Time Homebuyers: How To Validate Your Mortgage Tax Savings
So you ran my tax savings formula from the last video, and it says you’re getting a $10,000 refund? Sounds great — but two questions probably come to mind: Is that formula actually accurate? Even if it is, how do I get that refund money back now — not just at tax time? In this…
Read MoreWhat should your house payment be in 2025?
Plan Smart, Live Comfortably: Setting Your Home-Buying Budget Buying a home is an exciting journey filled with dreams and aspirations. It’s a personal milestone that often comes with a mix of emotions, from exhilaration to anxiety. In the thrill of hunting for that perfect place, it’s easy to let your heart lead the way.…
Read MoreDC Transfer Tax Reduction Program for First-Time Home Buyers
Save Up to $5,630 on Closing Costs: DC First-Time Homebuyer Transfer Tax Reduction 2025 First-time DC buyers: Qualify with incomes up to $206,640 (1-person household) and homes ≤ $777,000 by reducing your recordation tax from 1.45% to just 0.725%. Get Approved Now Schedule Strategy Session Buying Your First Home in DC? Here’s a Huge Opportunity…
Read MoreMortgage Secrets Podcast: Six Mortgage Myths
MORTGAGE SECRETS: EPISODE 1 Six Mortgage Myths Think you can’t get a home loan? Think again! Even if your credit score isn’t perfect, and maybe owning a house feels like a far-off fantasy, you’ll want to tune in. In this debut episode of the Mortgage Secrets podcast, our host, John Downs of The Downs Group,…
Read MoreMortgage Secrets Podcast: How Much to Put Down
MORTGAGE SECRETS: EPISODE 3 How Much to Put Down One of the biggest conversations you will have about buying a home is around how much money you should or shouldn’t put down on your home loan. Putting a chunk of money down on a mortgage is a pretty impactful decision, of course. Once you sign…
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