Serving Virginia & Maryland Homebuyers Equal Housing Opportunity
Local Mortgage Brokerage ยท Since 1995

Smart Mortgage Guidance for Virginia and Maryland Homebuyers

Get clear answers on what you can afford, which loan options fit you, and how to move from browsing homes to closing with confidence.

7โ€“10 minutes ยท No credit pull ยท No obligation
Since 1995The Mortgage Exchange Service
Since 1989Personal lending experience
BrokerWe shop multiple lenders for you
NMLS ID# 205178Licensed in VA & MD
New to mortgages?

Not sure where to start?

Answer three quick questions and we'll point you to exactly the right place.

Question 1 of 3
What's your situation right now?
Question 2 of 3
Have you spoken to a mortgage lender before?
Question 3 of 3
What's your biggest question right now?
Your Best Starting Point

Refinance Breakeven Tool

Run the honest math on a refinance โ€” monthly savings, the month you break even, and lifetime net savings.

Your Best Starting Point

Get a TMES Pre-Approval Review

A 15-minute second opinion on your existing pre-approval โ€” we'll compare lenders and flag anything you should negotiate.

Your Best Starting Point

Buying Power Quiz

A 6-question quiz that estimates the home price range you may qualify for โ€” no credit pull required.

Your Best Starting Point

Cash-to-Close Estimator

An itemized estimate of every dollar you'll bring to the closing table โ€” down payment, closing costs, and reserves.

Your Best Starting Point

Down Payment Assistance Matcher

See which Virginia Housing and Maryland Mortgage Program options you may qualify for โ€” in under 3 minutes.

Your Best Starting Point

Custom Document Checklist

A personalized list of what you'll need before you apply โ€” tailored to your employment type and loan program.

The TMES Way

How the mortgage process works

No mystery. No jargon. Just a clear five-step path โ€” with a real person by your side at every step.

  1. Understand your situation

    A short, pressure-free conversation about your goals, timeline, and finances.

  2. Get pre-approved

    We verify your numbers and give you a letter that makes your offer stronger.

  3. Choose your loan

    We compare options across our lender network โ€” you pick the structure that fits.

  4. Lock & underwrite

    We lock your rate at the right moment and shepherd your file to clear-to-close.

  5. Close with confidence

    You sign, we fund, and you get the keys. We stay in touch long after closing.

Local Expertise

We know Virginia and Maryland real estate, cover to cover.

From Fairfax County's jumbo market to Baltimore County's first-time buyer programs, we've helped thousands of families finance homes across both states. We know the appraisers, the county quirks, and the assistance programs that can save you thousands.

Meet the TMES Team

Virginia VA

  • Virginia Housing DPA, Grant, & Plus Second Mortgage
  • Northern Virginia jumbo & high-cost conforming guidance
  • VA loan specialists for active-duty & veterans
  • USDA for Loudoun, Stafford, and rural counties
Open the Virginia Homebuyer Guide โ†’

Maryland MD

  • Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) & Partner Match
  • Baltimore City, Prince George's & Montgomery County programs
  • SmartBuy for buyers with student loans
  • Closing cost & transfer tax planning
Open the Maryland Homebuyer Guide โ†’
Loan Options

A loan program for every kind of buyer

We shop our network of investor lenders to find the structure that fits your budget, your timeline, and your goals โ€” not a single product we're trying to sell you.

Most popular

Conventional

Flexible down payments starting at 3% with competitive rates for buyers with good credit.

Best for: Steady income, 660+ credit
Learn more โ†’
Lower credit friendly

FHA

3.5% down with flexible qualifying guidelines โ€” a strong fit for many first-time buyers.

Best for: First-time buyers, 580+ credit
Learn more โ†’
Veterans

VA

$0 down, no PMI, and competitive rates โ€” a benefit you've earned through service.

Best for: Active-duty, veterans, eligible spouses
Learn more โ†’
Higher price points

Jumbo

Financing above conforming limits โ€” common for Northern Virginia and DC metro buyers.

Best for: Loans above ~$806k (varies by county)
Learn more โ†’
Rural & exurban

USDA

$0 down for eligible homes in qualified rural and exurban areas of VA and MD.

Best for: Qualified areas, moderate income
Learn more โ†’
Existing homeowners

Refinance

Rate-and-term, cash-out, and streamline options โ€” with a clear breakeven analysis.

Best for: Current homeowners
Learn more โ†’
Homeowners 62+

Reverse (HECM)

Draw on your equity and stay in your home โ€” explained honestly, including when it's not the right fit.

Best for: Homeowners 62+ staying long-term
Learn more โ†’
VA & MD residents

State Housing Programs

Virginia Housing & Maryland Mortgage Program โ€” paired with your primary loan.

Best for: Income-eligible buyers
Learn more โ†’
Flexible income

Self-Employed & Non-QM

Bank statement, 1099, and asset-based programs for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Best for: 1099 / business owners / investors
Learn more โ†’
The Reverse Mortgage Center

Reverse mortgages, explained honestly.

I'm Chris Nassief, a reverse mortgage specialist in Northern Virginia. About a third of the people I meet with should not get one, and I tell them so. If you're 62 or older and want straight answers about using your home's equity, that's exactly what you'll get.

  • You keep the title to your home. Always.
  • You can never owe more than the home is worth.
  • Independent HUD-approved counseling is required, and I encourage it.

Is it right for you?

A reverse mortgage is a loan, not a government benefit, and it must be repaid. It tends to fit when:

  • This is the home you plan to stay in for years.
  • Your budget comfortably carries taxes, insurance, and upkeep.
  • You want to eliminate a monthly mortgage payment or add a flexible line of credit.

Reverse mortgages must be repaid, typically when the last borrower leaves the home. Borrowers must complete HUD-approved counseling.

You may qualify for thousands in assistance

Down payment help in Virginia & Maryland

Many buyers don't realize they qualify for state-run programs that can provide grants, forgivable loans, or second mortgages to cover down payment and closing costs. Our Matcher asks 6 quick questions and shows which programs you may be eligible for โ€” no credit pull, no commitment.

Virginia Housing DPA VA Housing Plus Second Maryland Mortgage Program SmartBuy 3.0 Partner Match County & city programs
Match Me With Programs 6 questions ยท No credit pull ยท Your info stays private

What the Matcher checks

  • Household income vs. state program limits
  • First-time buyer status & residency
  • Target county & home price range
  • Student loan status (for MD SmartBuy)
  • Veteran / military connection
  • Education & counseling requirements
Interactive Tools

Answer your biggest questions in under five minutes

Each tool gives you a clear estimate and a next step โ€” no spam, no credit pull, no obligation.

โญ

TMES Mortgage Plan Builder Flagship

Our full borrower workstation. Buying power, loan paths, cash-to-close, and a personalized document checklist โ€” all in one place.

~7โ€“10 min ยท No credit pull ยท Lender-ready file prep
๐Ÿงฎ

Buying Power Quiz

Short 6-question quiz โ€” quick-start version of the Mortgage Plan Builder.

~2 min ยท No credit pull
๐ŸŽฏ

Down Payment Assistance Matcher

See which VA & MD programs you may qualify for based on 6 quick inputs.

~3 min ยท No credit pull
๐Ÿ’ต

Cash-to-Close Estimator

Estimate your full out-of-pocket cost โ€” down payment, closing costs, and reserves.

~2 min ยท Itemized breakdown
โœ…

Pre-Approval Readiness Score

Find out if you're ready to apply today โ€” or what one or two steps will get you there.

~4 min ยท Gives a plan
๐Ÿ“‹

Custom Document Checklist

We build a document list tailored to your employment & loan type. No surprises later.

~2 min ยท Personalized list
โš–๏ธ

Loan Option Comparison

See side-by-side how FHA, Conventional, and VA stack up for your situation.

~3 min ยท Side-by-side
๐Ÿ“Š

Rent vs. Buy Wealth Builder

Model 5- and 10-year wealth outcomes for renting vs. buying in your zip code.

~3 min ยท Long-term view
๐Ÿ”

Refinance Breakeven Tool

See the month you break even on a refinance and the lifetime savings after that.

~2 min ยท Clear breakeven
๐Ÿ’ฐ

Mortgage Payment Calculator

Live PITI + MI calculator across Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and Jumbo.

Live ยท Pushes into Plan Builder
๐ŸŽฏ

Offer Confidence Score

Before you make an offer, see how strong your position looks to a seller.

~3 min ยท Pre-offer review
The TMES difference

Built to prepare a cleaner loan file from day one.

TMES helps you organize the information, documents, and questions a lender will need before your file goes into processing. That means fewer surprises, faster follow-up, and a smoother path from pre-approval to closing.

As an independent mortgage broker, TMES can compare multiple lending partners and loan programs based on your goals, eligibility, pricing, and documentation โ€” then bring the best-fit file forward for you.

Start with the Mortgage Plan Builder โ†’

A cleaner file meansโ€ฆ

  • Fewer underwriter "conditions" to chase at the last minute
  • A stronger pre-approval letter your agent can use with confidence
  • Faster processing once you're under contract
  • Better lender pricing when your file presents cleanly
  • A calmer path to the closing table

Outcomes depend on verified credit, income, property, and lender/investor guidelines. Not a commitment to lend.

Book a 15-minute review

Not ready for the tool? Talk to a TMES advisor.

A licensed advisor (not a call center) โ€” 15 minutes, no pressure, no obligation.

What the journey looks like

From "Can I buy?" to keys in hand.

A predictable path โ€” so you always know where you are and what's next.

Build Mortgage Plan7โ€“10 min. No credit pull.
Upload documentsLender-ready file prep.
TMES reviews fileAdvisor compares lenders.
Loan option selectedPick your structure.
Application & disclosuresFormal 1003 and Loan Estimate.
ProcessingVerifications and appraisal.
UnderwritingLender reviews your file.
Conditional approvalItems to clear.
Clear to closeFinal numbers locked.
Closing daySign, fund, keys.

Processing partner review may begin once your application and document package are complete. Timeline varies by program, property, and responsiveness. Not a commitment to lend.

Your Next Best Step

Let's build your mortgage plan

In about 7โ€“10 minutes, get a personalized mortgage snapshot: estimated buying power, loan options to discuss, estimated cash to close, and a custom document checklist. No credit pull, no obligation.

No credit pull on any tool. Your information is never sold. Licensed in VA & MD ยท NMLS ID# 205178.
Build My Mortgage Plan โ†’