A $900,000 purchase with 20% down creates a $720,000 mortgage. At 6.75% on a 30-year fixed term, estimated principal and interest is about $4,670 monthly. At 6.50%, it is about $4,551 – a $119 monthly difference and $7,140 over five years before taxes, insurance, and any change in loan balance. That is why a Movement Mortgage review should go beyond a friendly first call or an advertised rate. On a larger purchase, the process, available programs, and pricing structure can all matter.
By Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647
Table of Contents
- What this Movement Mortgage review evaluates
- Broker access versus a retail mortgage company
- Credit-safe prequalification and underwriting
- Jumbo, conventional, and self-employed borrower fit
- Virginia market context
- Frequently asked questions
What This Movement Mortgage Review Evaluates
Movement Mortgage is a well-known retail mortgage company with local loan officers and a strong purchase-loan presence. For many buyers, the experience may be personal and responsive. The question is not whether a company is legitimate. It is whether its process and available financing fit your property, income, timeline, and comfort level with credit inquiries.
A retail mortgage company generally works from its own program shelf and internal pricing structure. A mortgage broker works with multiple wholesale channels and can compare program fit across those options. That distinction can be especially meaningful for jumbo buyers, self-employed households, investors using DSCR financing, and borrowers who need a bank statement or asset depletion review rather than a simple W-2 file.
The 2025 baseline conforming loan limit is $806,500 for a one-unit property in most of the country, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Loans above that amount are generally jumbo loans unless the property sits in a designated high-cost area. A $1.1 million home in Short Pump with 20% down, for example, produces an $880,000 mortgage – above that baseline threshold. Program selection becomes more consequential at that point.
Broker Access Versus a Single-Shelf Institution
Premium service is not just a faster text message. It means clear upfront comparisons, direct access to the person managing your file, and a financing plan that considers the whole transaction. A broker should explain where the trade-offs are: rate versus points, cash reserves versus down payment, or documentation simplicity versus pricing.
| Decision point | Mortgage broker model | Single-shelf institution model |
|---|---|---|
| Program access | Can compare eligible options across multiple wholesale channels. | Typically presents programs available through its internal platform. |
| Jumbo scenarios | Can evaluate reserve rules, asset depletion, and varying jumbo overlays. | Uses its own jumbo credit and reserve framework. |
| Self-employed income | May compare full-document, bank statement, and non-QM options. | Documentation choices depend on its approved product shelf. |
| Credit-first conversation | Can begin with a soft pull mortgage review when available. | Its prequalification workflow determines whether a hard inquiry is used. |
| Communication | One advisory contact can coordinate financing strategy and updates. | Experience varies by branch, team, and file volume. |
This is a structural comparison, not a promise that one path is automatically better. A borrower with a clean W-2 file, 780 credit score, 20% down, and a standard conventional balance may find several good choices. A borrower purchasing in Virginia Beach while retaining a primary home in Glen Allen, or a business owner using variable income, often benefits from a broader initial review.
The Credit Question: Can You Start Without a Hard Inquiry?
Many buyers delay a conversation because they fear an immediate score drop. A soft credit pull mortgage review can be a practical first step. It provides a preliminary view of reported credit information without the same score impact as a hard inquiry. It is 100% free, fast and easy, and useful for planning a realistic price range before you write an offer.
A no hard inquiry mortgage pre approval is not the same as final approval. The final file still requires complete documentation, property review, verification steps, and, depending on the program, a hard inquiry. The value is timing. A mortgage pre approval without hard pull pressure lets you understand likely terms and credit opportunities before authorizing the formal process.
Ask exactly what is being run. Is it a soft pull? Does the broker need permission before any hard inquiry? Is the figure an informal estimate, a prequalification, or a fully documented preapproval? A no credit hit mortgage application should be described accurately, not used as a vague marketing label.
Jumbo, Conventional, and Bank Statement Fit
For conventional loans, many borrowers target a 620 minimum credit score, while stronger pricing frequently begins at higher score tiers such as 740 or 760. Jumbo financing commonly expects stronger credit, often 700 or above depending on the scenario. Reserve requirements also vary. A jumbo purchase may require six to 12 months of total housing payments in verified reserves, while a primary-residence conventional file may require less depending on loan-to-value, property count, and automated findings.
For the $880,000 mortgage on that $1.1 million Short Pump home, assume total monthly housing costs of $6,300. Twelve months of reserves would equal $75,600 after closing. That is a real planning figure, not a detail to discover after contract acceptance.
Self-employed buyers may qualify conventionally using tax returns, but deductions can reduce qualifying income. Bank statement programs can evaluate deposits instead, while asset depletion may convert eligible assets into qualifying income under program guidelines. Neither option is automatically cheaper than conventional financing. They are tools for borrowers whose documented cash flow does not fit a standard tax-return calculation.
VA loans remain compelling for eligible veterans, particularly because qualified borrowers may finance with no down payment. FHA financing can help buyers with lower down payments and more flexible credit profiles. The right choice depends on occupancy, credit, debt-to-income ratio, property type, and monthly-payment goals. A broker should show the numbers side by side rather than steer every borrower toward one familiar product.
Local Market Context: Why Timing Still Matters
In Henrico County, Redfin reported a median sale price of approximately $420,000 during 2025. That countywide number does not tell the whole story. Short Pump and Glen Allen can command materially higher prices for updated homes, while parts of Richmond and Chesterfield offer different price points and inventory patterns.
Competition still appears quickly when a well-priced home reaches the market, particularly in desirable school districts and low-inventory neighborhoods. Buyers in Midlothian may need a clean financing plan before touring seriously. In Richmond, an older home can raise appraisal, renovation, or insurance questions. In Virginia Beach, flood-zone and insurance costs can change the true monthly payment even when the note rate looks attractive.
Closing costs commonly run about 2% to 5% of the purchase price, although the total varies with title charges, prepaid taxes, insurance, escrows, discount points, and local customs. On a $900,000 purchase, that is roughly $18,000 to $45,000 before any seller credits or program-specific structure. Ask about no-out-of-pocket closing options when appropriate, but review the rate, price, and long-term cost before choosing that route.
Is Premium Mortgage Rates Better for Every Buyer?
No. The better question is whether you want a broker-led advisory process and access to multiple program channels. Premium Mortgage Rates is built for borrowers who value responsiveness, clear scenario comparisons, and a higher-touch purchase experience. Duane Buziak has been recognized by Scotsman Guide as a Top Originator at $44.4 million across 124 loans in 2025, followed by $51.2 million in 2026, with more than $95 million in solo closed volume.
The 24-Hour Guarantee is designed to keep communication moving when a purchase decision cannot wait. For buyers and owners in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia, the first conversation can begin with a soft pull mortgage broker review, subject to eligibility and borrower authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Movement Mortgage legit?
Yes. Movement Mortgage is an established retail mortgage company. This review focuses on whether its available programs and service model fit your needs compared with a broker model.
Can I get a mortgage preapproval without a hard pull?
You may be able to start with a soft-pull prequalification. A formal, fully documented approval can require a hard inquiry later in the process.
Does a soft credit pull affect my score?
A soft pull generally does not affect your credit score. Confirm the type of inquiry before authorizing any credit review.
What credit score do I need for a jumbo mortgage?
Many jumbo programs look for scores around 700 or higher, although requirements vary by down payment, reserves, property type, and overall profile.
Is Premium Mortgage Rates legit?
Premium Mortgage Rates works through Coast2Coast Mortgage and provides broker-led financing guidance for eligible borrowers in licensed states.
Can self-employed buyers qualify without two years of tax returns?
Some bank statement and non-QM programs may offer alternatives. Eligibility depends on business history, deposits, credit, assets, and the specific program.
How much should I budget for closing costs?
A practical estimate is 2% to 5% of the purchase price, plus your down payment. Your detailed Loan Estimate provides the transaction-specific figures.
Is a broker always less expensive than a retail mortgage company?
No. Pricing depends on credit, loan amount, occupancy, program, rate choice, and fees. The advantage is the ability to compare eligible options rather than assume one shelf is best.
Can veterans use a VA loan for a high-price home?
Eligible veterans can use VA financing at higher purchase prices, subject to entitlement, underwriting, appraisal, and program requirements. A detailed review is essential for larger balances.
Where can Duane Buziak help buyers?
Duane is licensed to originate in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Washington, DC. Actionable financing guidance is limited to the states where he is licensed.
A strong mortgage decision should leave you calmer, not more confused. Before you commit to a rate or sign a contract, ask for the payment math, reserve requirement, documentation path, and credit-inquiry plan in writing.
Legal disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and is not a commitment to finance, a rate lock, or legal or tax advice. Loan approval, rates, terms, fees, and program availability depend on credit, income, assets, property, occupancy, appraisal, underwriting, and market conditions. Soft-pull availability and credit-inquiry treatment vary by program and borrower authorization. Duane Buziak originates residential mortgage loans only in VA, FL, TN, GA, and DC where licensed.
Duane Buziak | Mortgage Maestro | NMLS #1110647 | Coast2Coast Mortgage, LLC NMLS #376205 | Licensed in VA, FL, TN, GA & DC [Contact] | NoTouch Credit Pull available — no hard inquiry, no credit hit.