A practical guide to I meant to call Rocket Mortgage but got.
Duane Buziak on Alternatives to Guild Mortgage for Virginia Homebuyers
Virginia homebuyers lternatives to Guild Mortgage fall into three paths: another national direct lender, a local bank or credit union, or an independent mortgage broker who shops hundreds of wholesale lenders. Licensed broker Duane Buziak explains how each works, what a fair side-by-side comparison looks like, and how to decide how many pricing options you want to see before committing.
7 Strategies to Find the Right Mortgage Options for Self-Employed Borrowers in 2026
Finding the best mortgage options for self employed borrowers starts with understanding how lenders calculate qualifying income from tax returns, K-1s, and add-backs. This guide walks through seven strategies covering income calculation, loan program types, and how to compare options without damaging your credit.
Asset Depletion Mortgage Strategy Explained
Asset depletion can turn eligible investments into qualifying mortgage income. Learn the math, program rules, documentation, and tax considerations now.
Home Equity Line of Credit Requirements: What Lenders Look For in 2026, Explained by Duane Buziak
Home equity line of credit requirements typically include 15-20% remaining equity, a mid-600s or higher credit score, verifiable income, and a manageable debt-to-income ratio. Mortgage broker Duane Buziak explains each requirement, shows the math on how much you could borrow, and covers how an independent broker reads lender guidelines differently from a single-lender shop.
How to Calculate Debt-to-Income Ratio: Duane Buziak’s Step-by-Step Guide for Homebuyers
This step-by-step guide shows homebuyers how to calculate debt to income ratio in both front-end and back-end forms using documented income and monthly debts. It then compares your results to common loan program guidelines and explains what to change before you apply for a mortgage.
Construction to Permanent Loan Guide for Builds
This construction to permanent loan guide explains one-time close math, draw controls, appraisal risk, reserves, and rate-lock choices for smart builders.
VA Cash-Out Example: The Math Behind 100% LTV
VA cash-out example: see 100% LTV math, funding-fee choices, residual-income rules, and refinance timing for veterans with equity to use.
Duane Buziak on How to Use a VA Loan for Investment Property: The Owner-Occupancy Path
A VA loan can’t finance a pure rental, but this guide explains how to use a VA loan for investment property through owner-occupancy: buying a duplex, triplex, or fourplex you live in, or converting a home you occupied first. It covers entitlement, the occupancy rule, and how to run the numbers before you make an offer.
How Extra Mortgage Payments Impact Your Amortization Schedule
This article breaks down the extra mortgage payment impact amortization schedules undergo, using a $350,000 loan example to show how early extra principal payments cut years off a loan and shift future interest into equity, then compares that strategy to refinancing and recasting.
