Buy a Home in the DMV | The Credle Group — MD · DC · VA
📅 Book Strategy Call 📋 Get Pre-Approved
DMV Home Buyers  ·  MD  ·  DC  ·  VA

Know What
You Can Buy
Before You
Tour Homes.

Run your real numbers — payment, affordability, cash-to-close, DTI, and rent vs. buy. Then get a buyer roadmap built around your timeline, budget, and goals.

📊 Run My Numbers Get Pre-Approved → Book Strategy Call
$0Down — VA & USDA
3%Down — FHA/Conv
3States Licensed
5★Google Rated
DMV Home
Where do you start?

Pick your path.

No commitment. No pressure. Just clarity.

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First-Time BuyerDPA grants · Credit guidance · Step-by-step
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Buying My Next HomeSell first or buy first · Bridge strategy
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Investment PropertyDSCR · Multi-family · BRRRR strategy
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Start Pre-ApprovalNFM Lending · Fast · No obligation
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Search Live ListingsRealScout · Save · Get alerts
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Scroll
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Mortgage ViaNFM Lending
🏛️
BrokerageSamson Properties
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Licensed InMD · DC · VA
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DPA Programs$0 Down Available
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Google Rated5-Star Reviews
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Specializing InFirst-Time Buyers
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ProgramsFHA · VA · USDA · Conv · DSCR
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Mortgage ViaNFM Lending
🏛️
BrokerageSamson Properties
📍
Licensed InMD · DC · VA
💰
DPA Programs$0 Down Available
⭐
Google Rated5-Star Reviews
🔑
Specializing InFirst-Time Buyers
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ProgramsFHA · VA · USDA · Conv · DSCR
DMV Skyline
The Market

DMV Real
Estate

Home Interior
⬡
The Credle Group
Licensed Agent

MD · DC · VA

Luxury Living Room
Your Future

Home
Ownership

Buyer Calculator Suite

Know Your Numbers
Before You Commit.

Now upgraded with smarter assumptions, editable defaults, dollar/percent down payment toggles, and a light/dark experience for better usability.

🧠 Smart Defaults Tax, insurance, PMI, and rate estimates adapt to your state, loan type, credit tier, and down payment.
✍️ Fully Editable Every smart number can be overridden, so buyers can model conservative, real-world, or lender-provided scenarios.
💡 Need to Know PMI is not the same as FHA MIP or the VA funding fee. This tool separates monthly carrying cost from upfront closing cash.
🧭 Next Best Move Once the math looks right, move to pre-approval, live search, or a strategy call instead of browsing blindly.
How Much Home Can You Afford?
This version uses your state, program, credit profile, HOA, and estimated carrying costs to model a more realistic payment ceiling.
Use this first. It helps buyers anchor to a realistic target before they start touring homes or falling in love with the wrong price point.
Smart + Editable
—Comfort Range
—Target Range
—Stretch Ceiling
Estimated Housing Budget (PITI + HOA)—
Estimated Rate Used—
Estimated Monthly PMI / MIP—
Front-End DTI—
Back-End DTI—
Cash Available—
Target Home Price—

Tax Assumption

—

Insurance Assumption

—

Need to Know

Affordability is strongest when your real payment still feels easy after utilities, repairs, and lifestyle spending.

Planning model only. Final approval depends on full credit, income documents, reserves, property type, HOA, and lender overlays. Get a real pre-approval →
Estimate Your Monthly Payment
Use smart defaults or override them. This is where buyers can see how loan type, credit, and down payment change the monthly reality.
Best practice: keep smart defaults on first, then plug in lender-specific taxes, insurance, or PMI only after you get an official estimate.
Tip: Use the preset first, then switch to custom dollars or percent if the buyer has an exact budget.
PMI / MIP logicConventional PMI adjusts to LTV and credit. FHA and USDA use mortgage insurance. VA has no monthly PMI.
Property tax logicTax defaults are estimated from state averages and purchase price. Always replace with exact tax records when available.
Insurance logicInsurance is estimated from home value, state, and occupancy. Buyers can override it with a quote from their carrier.
Principal & Interest—
Property Tax (monthly)—
Home Insurance (monthly)—
HOA—
PMI / MIP—
Loan Amount—
Down Payment %—
Interest Rate Used—
Total Monthly Payment—
Need to know: FHA and USDA can have lower down payment requirements, but monthly mortgage insurance may still be higher than a conventional loan with stronger credit.
This is an education + planning estimate. Taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, and lender fees vary by property and borrower. Talk through your scenario →
How Much Cash Do You Need to Close?
This version separates down payment, lender/title costs, prepaid escrow, and upfront program fees so buyers stop confusing monthly payment with true closing cash.
Cash to close is usually more than just the down payment. Seller help can reduce it. Upfront FHA/VA/USDA fees can increase it.
Down Payment—
Lender Costs—
Title & Settlement Fees—
Prepaid Escrow + Interest—
Upfront FHA / VA / USDA Fee—
Seller Concessions—
Other Credits—
Estimated Cash to Close—
Need to know: exact title fees, transfer taxes, escrows, and program fees vary by state, property type, lender, and closing date. This keeps buyers close, not exact.
Debt-to-Income Ratio Checker
See how your income stacks up against your future housing payment and existing debts. This is one of the fastest ways to see whether the next move is to buy, pay debt down, or restructure.
Front-End DTI (housing ÷ income)—
0%28% ideal31%36%+
Back-End DTI (all debts ÷ income)—
0%36% ideal43%50%+
Your StatusEnter your numbers above
Use this before application. A buyer who lowers debt by even a few hundred dollars a month can materially change their price range, rate tier, or loan approval odds. Talk through your DTI with us →
Rent vs. Buy — 5-Year Analysis
This pulls the monthly payment model into a 5-year ownership view so buyers can compare equity, appreciation, and total housing cost against rising rent.
Strong use case: buyers who can qualify today but still feel mentally attached to renting. Show them the long game, not just month one.
5-Year Cost — Buy
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Total out of pocket after equity credit
5-Year Cost — Rent
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Total rent paid with zero ownership stake
Home Value in 5 Years—
Equity Built in 5 Years—
Total Rent Paid in 5 Years—
5-Year Buying Advantage—
Best used for zip-code-level coaching and mindset shifts. If the buyer is close either way, the decision comes down to time horizon, reserves, and life stability — not just math. Book a strategy call →
Loan Programs

Every Program.
One Team.

We work with NFM Lending to match you to the right loan for your situation — income, credit, down payment, and goals all factor in.

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Conventional

Best for strong credit buyers looking for flexibility in loan size and property type.

Min Down3–5%
Min Credit620+
PMI RequiredIf <20% down
Loan LimitUp to $766,550
Most Flexible
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FHA Loan

Ideal for first-time buyers or anyone with less-than-perfect credit. Low down payment, government-backed.

Min Down3.5%
Min Credit580+
MIPRequired (life of loan)
Loan Limit~$498K–$1.1M (area-based)
First-Time Friendly
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VA Loan

Zero down payment for eligible veterans, active military, and surviving spouses. No PMI ever.

Min Down$0
Min Credit580–620 (varies)
PMINone — ever
Funding Fee1.25–3.3% (waivable)
Best Military Benefit
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USDA Loan

100% financing for eligible rural and some suburban areas in MD and VA. Income limits apply.

Min Down$0
Min Credit640+
Area RequirementUSDA-eligible zone
Guarantee Fee1% upfront, 0.35%/yr
$0 Down Rural
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DSCR (Investor)

Qualify on rental income, not your personal income. Perfect for investors growing a portfolio without W2 docs.

Min Down20–25%
Qualify OnProperty cash flow
DSCR Ratio≥1.0 preferred
Best ForSelf-employed / Investors
No W2 Needed
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Down Payment Assistance

Grants and soft-second loans layered on top of FHA/conventional loans — reduces or eliminates out-of-pocket costs.

Assistance$5K–$30K+
RepaymentOften forgiven
ProgramsMDHCD, HPAP, VHDA
Income LimitsVary by program
Free Money
Start My Pre-Approval with NFM →
Down Payment Assistance

You May Qualify for
Free Money.

Most buyers don't know these programs exist. We actively work with all three DMV state programs and several employer-matched grants.

MDHCD — Maryland Mortgage Program
Up to $25,000 in assistance

State-backed DPA for Maryland first-time buyers. Partners with FHA and conventional loans. Income and purchase price limits by county.

MarylandFirst-TimeForgivable
HPAP — DC Home Purchase Assistance
Up to $202,000 in assistance

DC residents may qualify for a combination of deferred-payment loans and closing cost assistance. One of the most powerful DPA programs in the country.

Washington DCDeferred LoanLow Income
VHDA — Virginia Housing
Up to $15,000 in grants

Virginia first-time buyers can access grant assistance stacked onto FHA or conventional loans through VHDA's approved lender network.

VirginiaGrant — No RepaymentFirst-Time
Employer & Community Grants
$2,500–$10,000+

Many employers, hospitals, school systems, and municipalities offer their own DPA for employees. Often stacked on top of state programs.

Any StateStackableEmployer Match
🎓 Free Qualification Check

Find Out Which DPA Programs You Qualify For

It takes 15 minutes. We pull up your numbers, check income limits against every active program, and tell you exactly which grants and soft-second loans you can stack — before you even apply for the mortgage.

✓No impact on your credit score
✓We check all MD, DC, and VA programs simultaneously
✓Employer grant stacking available
✓Works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional
✓Some grants are forgivable — no repayment required
✓Most programs require homebuyer education (we'll connect you)
💰 Check My DPA Eligibility Start Pre-Approval with NFM →
The Buying Process

From First Call
to Keys in Hand.

No guesswork. No gaps. Every step mapped so you're never wondering what happens next.

📞
Step 01
Buyer Strategy Call

15–20 min. We learn your goals, timeline, and budget — then map a plan before you tour a single home.

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Step 02
Pre-Approval

Real numbers from NFM Lending — not a guess. DPA eligibility checked simultaneously.

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Step 03
Home Search

RealScout access, VIP alerts, and private/off-market opportunities. You see the right homes — not everything.

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Step 04
Offer Strategy

We structure offers to win without overpaying. Terms, contingencies, and proof of funds positioned correctly.

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Step 05
Inspection & Appraisal

We protect you — inspection negotiation, appraisal gaps, repair credits, and contingency management.

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Step 06
Close & Move In

Final walkthrough, closing day coordination, and post-close insurance cross-sell. You're a homeowner.

Live Home Search

Search Every Active
Listing in Real-Time.

Access the same MLS data agents use — updated live, with RealScout's AI matching you to homes that fit your criteria.

DMV Home Search Luxury Home
1,200+ Active DMV Listings
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VIP Home List + Instant Alerts

New listings, price drops, and back-on-market homes delivered before most buyers see them.

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Map-Based Search with AI Matching

Filter by school district, commute, property type, price, and features. Save favorites and share with family.

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Home Value Reports

Track neighborhood values and see real-time buyer demand signals for any area you're watching.

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Off-Market Opportunities

We work the private network — pre-market listings and pocket deals that never hit Zillow.

Start Your
Home Search Now

Free access. No signup required for browsing. Set your criteria and the alerts do the work.

🗺️ Search Homes by Map → 📊 Get Home Value Reports → 🔔 Set Up VIP Alert List → 📞 Book a Showing Request → 🏗️ Explore New Construction →
🔍 Search Live DMV Listings
Buyer Stories

Buyers Who
Won Their Home.

"
★★★★★

Carlos made the process simple, fast, and clear. We felt protected the entire way. First-time buyers — he walked us through every single step without making us feel dumb.

LC
LaSahwn C.
First-Time Buyer · Woodbridge, VA
"
★★★★★

We qualified for a DPA grant we didn't even know existed. Combined with our FHA loan, we closed with barely $3,000 out of pocket on a $380k home. Unreal.

TP
Tanya & Paul M.
First-Time Buyers · Prince George's Co., MD
"
★★★★★

Competitive market. Multiple-offer situation. We got the house at $8k under the highest offer because the terms were cleaner. Strategy matters — and Carlos knows it.

DK
Derek K.
Move-Up Buyer · Silver Spring, MD
View All Google Reviews →
Buyer FAQ

Questions Every
Buyer Asks.

Straight answers. No fluff.

Do I need 20% down to buy a home?›
No. Most buyers put down 3–5% through FHA or conventional programs. VA and USDA offer $0 down for qualifying buyers. 20% eliminates PMI but is not required — and often isn't the smartest move for cash flow.
Should I get pre-approved before I start looking?›
Yes — always. Pre-approval tells you what you can actually afford, gives you leverage in offer situations, and lets you move fast when the right home hits the market. Sellers take pre-approved buyers significantly more seriously.
What credit score do I need to buy?›
FHA allows down to 580 with 3.5% down. Conventional starts at 620. VA and USDA vary by lender but often allow 580–640. Higher scores mean better rates — every 20-point improvement can meaningfully impact your monthly payment.
How much cash do I actually need to close?›
Down payment + closing costs + prepaid escrow items. Closing costs are typically 2–4% of the loan amount. With DPA programs and seller concessions, many buyers close with $3,000–$7,000 out of pocket — use the Cash to Close calculator above for your specific scenario.
What's the difference between pre-qual and pre-approval?›
Pre-qual is based on self-reported numbers — weak in competitive markets. Pre-approval requires income docs, bank statements, and a credit pull — it's verified, which makes your offer credible. In the DMV, listing agents recommend pre-approval before showing homes.
How do I win in a competitive market without overpaying?›
Strong offers are about more than price. Escalation clauses, clean contingencies, flexible closing dates, pre-approval strength, and proof of funds all matter. We build an offer strategy before you tour — so when you want to move, we move fast and smart.
Do I pay the buyer's agent commission?›
Since August 2024 NAR settlement, buyer's agent compensation is negotiated directly between buyer and agent — it's no longer automatically included in the seller's commission. We're fully transparent about our compensation model and can walk you through options on a strategy call.
What are down payment assistance programs?›
DPA programs provide grants or soft-second loans to cover your down payment or closing costs — sometimes both. Many are forgivable if you stay in the home for a set period. MD, DC, and VA all have active programs. We check your eligibility at no cost before you apply for anything.
Should I buy or keep renting?›
Run the Rent vs. Buy calculator above for a 5-year analysis. Generally: if your timeline is 3+ years, buying builds equity while rent just builds your landlord's wealth. In the DMV, where rents typically rise 3–5%/yr and values appreciate steadily, buying often wins in years 3–5.
Can I use this service without any commitment?›
Yes. Use every calculator, book a strategy call, download the buyer kit, search listings — none of it requires a signed agreement. We earn your business by being the most prepared and honest team in the market, not by locking you in before you're ready.
Your Move

Ready to Buy?
Let's Build
Your Plan.

No pressure. No commitment. One conversation to know exactly where you stand and what your next move should be.

📅 Book My Strategy Call 📋 Get Pre-Approved Now
🔍
Search HomesLive MLS access
📊
Calculators5 buyer tools
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DPA ProgramsFree grant check
📋
Pre-ApprovalFast · No obligation