How to Get a Home Purchase Loan in Virginia: Step-by-Step Guide for Charlottesville-Area Buyers

This step-by-step guide from Charlottesville mortgage broker Duane Buziak walks Virginia homebuyers through securing a home purchase loan in a competitive market, explaining how access to 500+ wholesale lenders delivers better rates and faster approvals than traditional retail banks across Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Crozet, and surrounding areas.
Duane Buziak

Duane Buziak
Mortgage Maestro | NMLS #1110647 | Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC
Licensed Mortgage Broker serving Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Washington, specializing in VA home loans and first-time homebuyer programs.

Charlottesville moves fast. A well-priced colonial in Belmont goes under contract in a weekend. A Keswick estate clears asking price before the open house. And UVA’s steady pipeline of faculty relocations, graduate students, and medical staff means demand doesn’t take summers off. If you’re buying a home in Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Crozet, Waynesboro, or anywhere in this corridor, you need a mortgage strategy that keeps pace with the market — not a bank’s business hours.

This guide is written by Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, independent mortgage broker and Scotsman Guide Top 114 originator nationally. As an independent broker through Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC (NMLS #376205), I shop 500+ wholesale lenders simultaneously to find the program, rate, and structure that fits your situation — not the one product a retail loan officer is authorized to sell. That structural difference matters at every stage of the process, and you’ll see exactly why as we walk through each step.

What follows is a complete, step-by-step roadmap for securing a home purchase loan in Virginia — from your first credit check through closing day at the Charlottesville Circuit Court. We’ll cover every major loan program, work through a real dollar example using a $650,000 Charlottesville purchase, and flag the Virginia-specific costs and timelines that routinely catch buyers off guard.

One thing before we start: you don’t need to take a FICO hit to find out where you stand. Cavalier Mortgage offers a mortgage pre-approval without hard pull — a no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval that gives you a full program assessment and realistic loan range before a single hard inquiry touches your credit file. That’s how we start every conversation.

Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Know Where You Stand — Credit, Income, and Assets

Before you tour a single property, you need an honest picture of three numbers: your credit score, your documented income, and your liquid assets. Getting this wrong — or guessing — is how buyers end up pre-approved for the wrong program or blindsided at closing by costs they didn’t anticipate.

Start with a soft credit pull, not a hard one. A soft credit pull mortgage check lets you see your FICO range without triggering a hard inquiry. This matters in a competitive market where you might be working with a broker for several weeks before going under contract. Hard inquiries can ding your score and stay on your report for two years. A soft pull mortgage broker approach gives you the same strategic information without the cost. At Cavalier Mortgage, we run a soft pull first — always.

Credit score thresholds by loan program:

Conventional: 620 minimum, though better rates start at 740+.

FHA: 580+ qualifies for 3.5% down; 500–579 requires 10% down. Source: HUD.gov FHA guidelines.

VA: The VA itself sets no minimum score. Cavalier Mortgage accepts VA loans to 500 FICO — one of the lowest floors available anywhere. Source: VA.gov home loans.

USDA: Typically 640+ for automated approval in rural Albemarle, Crozet, Waynesboro, and Staunton zones.

Jumbo: 700+ is standard; some wholesale investors require 720+. Given that Ivy, Keswick, and Farmington properties routinely clear the conforming limit, this matters more in Charlottesville than buyers expect.

Document your income type early. W-2 borrowers have the most straightforward path. Self-employed buyers should know that bank statement loans are available — 12 or 24 months of deposits can substitute for tax returns when write-offs make AGI look artificially low. UVA faculty and staff often have employment contracts rather than traditional pay stubs; bring your offer letter or contract. International buyers without a Social Security number can access ITIN and foreign national programs through the wholesale shelf — this is a genuine, frequently-used option for UVA’s international faculty population, not a theoretical workaround. Retirees with substantial assets but limited W-2 income may qualify through asset depletion programs.

Liquid asset check. Your cash position needs to cover three things: down payment, closing costs, and 2–3 months of mortgage payment reserves. Charlottesville-specific note: Virginia charges both grantor and grantee recordation taxes, and Charlottesville City and Albemarle County add transfer taxes on top. Buyers routinely underestimate total closing costs by $3,000–$5,000 because they forget these line items. We’ll break the full math in Step 4.

Pitfall to avoid: Don’t open new credit lines, change employers, or make large unverified deposits between now and closing. Any of these can trigger an underwriting condition or, worse, a loan denial after you’re already under contract.

Success indicator: You know your approximate FICO range, your income documentation type, and a realistic liquid asset number — before you make a single call to a broker.

Step 2: Match Your Profile to the Right Loan Program

Virginia offers a wide range of home purchase loan programs, and the right one depends entirely on your buyer profile. Defaulting to FHA because “it’s for first-time buyers” or assuming conventional is always best is how buyers leave money on the table.

Buyer profile to program mapping:

First-time buyer, moderate income: FHA or conventional with down payment assistance. Cavalier Mortgage offers the Dynamo DPA and Turbo DPA programs — structured assistance that can cover part or all of your down payment depending on income limits and program availability. Details at cavaliermortgage.com/down-payment-assistance-programs-charlottesville/ and cavaliermortgage.com/down-payment-assistance-virginia/.

Veteran or active-duty service member: VA loan. Zero down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and a 500 FICO floor at Cavalier Mortgage. For most veterans, this is the most powerful loan program available — and it’s dramatically underused.

Rural buyer in Albemarle, Crozet, Waynesboro, or Staunton: USDA Rural Development guaranteed loan. Zero down, below-market rates, income limits apply. Check property eligibility at the USDA Rural Development eligibility map. Portions of western Albemarle and the Waynesboro/Staunton corridor qualify.

Self-employed or business owner: Bank statement loan or non-QM. If your tax returns show aggressive deductions, your stated income may not reflect your actual cash flow. Bank statement programs use 12–24 months of deposits instead.

Real estate investor: DSCR loan Virginia — debt service coverage ratio loans qualify based on the property’s rental income, not your personal income. Ideal for investors buying in the Charlottesville rental market near UVA.

International buyer or ITIN holder: Foreign national and ITIN mortgage programs through the wholesale non-QM shelf. Passport plus ITIN plus 12–24 months bank statements is the typical documentation path.

High-value purchase in Ivy, Keswick, or Farmington: Jumbo. The 2026 conforming loan limit for single-family homes in Virginia is $806,500 (verify current limit at FHFA.gov). Albemarle County is not designated a high-cost area, so the baseline limit applies. Homes above that threshold require jumbo financing — and in this market, that’s not unusual.

The FHA vs. conventional trap. FHA MIP (mortgage insurance premium) is charged for the life of the loan if you put less than 10% down. Conventional PMI drops off automatically when you reach 80% LTV. For a buyer who qualifies for both, conventional with DPA can be significantly cheaper over a 7–10 year hold period. Run both scenarios before deciding.

The broker advantage here is structural. Jenna Stiltner at Atlantic Coast Mortgage (NMLS #907344) is a retail loan officer working within one institution’s product shelf. For a clean conventional loan, that may be adequate. But when your scenario is VA to 500 FICO, DSCR, ITIN, or non-QM, a retail shelf is simply too thin. I shop 500+ wholesale lenders simultaneously — if one investor’s guideline doesn’t fit your profile, another’s likely does.

Success indicator: Before your first broker call, you can name the loan program most likely to fit your profile.

Step 3: Get Pre-Approved — The Right Way

There’s a meaningful difference between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval, and Charlottesville listing agents know it. Pre-qualification is a soft, unverified estimate based on self-reported information. Pre-approval means a broker has pulled your credit, reviewed your income documentation, and verified your assets. In a competitive offer situation, a pre-qual letter is often dismissed outright.

Soft-pull pre-approval first. Cavalier Mortgage can issue a no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval — a full program assessment and realistic loan range based on a soft credit pull. This is particularly valuable when you’re shopping properties over several weeks and don’t want multiple hard inquiries accumulating on your file. When you’re ready to make an offer, we convert to a full hard-pull pre-approval. This approach protects your FICO while keeping you market-ready.

Documents to gather before applying:

1. Two years of W-2s or federal tax returns (self-employed: 2 years of business and personal returns, or 12–24 months bank statements for bank statement programs)

2. Most recent 30 days of pay stubs

3. Two months of bank statements for all accounts used for down payment and reserves

4. Government-issued photo ID

5. Rental history if you have no prior mortgage on your credit file

6. ITIN buyers: passport, ITIN documentation, and 12–24 months of bank statements

What your pre-approval letter should contain. Charlottesville realtors want to see the loan amount, loan program type, and the broker’s NMLS number on the letter. Pre-approval letters from Cavalier Mortgage carry NMLS #1110647 (Duane Buziak) and Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC NMLS #376205. This matters — a letter without NMLS credentials can raise questions with a listing agent’s team.

Preview: the UVA faculty scenario. Consider a UVA faculty member purchasing a $650,000 home in the Barracks Road/Rugby Road corridor — W-2 income, 720 FICO, first-time homebuyer. The pre-approval process involves verifying the employment contract (UVA issues offer letters with salary, start date, and department — these are accepted), running the soft pull first to confirm FICO and debt-to-income, then selecting the optimal program. We’ll walk through the full math in Step 4.

Pitfall: Getting pre-approved at a retail bank and then discovering their jumbo or non-QM shelf is thin when you find the right property. A $750,000 home in Ivy requires jumbo financing in Virginia — if your bank doesn’t have a competitive jumbo product, you’re starting over with a new lender mid-transaction. That’s a problem in a market where sellers expect a clean, credentialed offer.

Success indicator: Pre-approval letter in hand, verified, with a loan amount that matches your actual target price range in Charlottesville or Albemarle County.

Step 4: Worked Dollar Example — $650,000 Purchase in Charlottesville

Step 4: Worked Dollar Example — $650,000 Purchase in Charlottesville

Abstract mortgage advice is easy to find. Real math is harder. Here’s a complete worked example using a realistic Charlottesville scenario. Note: interest rates change daily based on bond market conditions — no rate quoted in any article should be used for budgeting. The only number that matters is the live wholesale rate quoted against your specific profile on the day you lock. Call (434) 443-7028 or request live rates at CavalierMortgage.com.

Scenario A: Conventional Loan

Buyer: UVA faculty member, W-2 income, 720 FICO. Property: $650,000 home in the Barracks Road/Rugby Road corridor, Charlottesville City. Loan program: Conventional 30-year fixed (conforming — $650,000 is under the 2026 $806,500 limit). Down payment: 10% = $65,000. Loan amount: $585,000.

Estimated monthly PITI breakdown:

Principal + Interest: Rate-dependent on the day you lock. Do not use any published rate as your planning number — live wholesale rates fluctuate daily. Cavalier Mortgage will provide your actual rate based on current market pricing and your specific profile. Request your live rate at CavalierMortgage.com or call (434) 443-7028.

Property Tax: Charlottesville City real property tax rate is $0.95 per $100 of assessed value (verify current rate at charlottesville.gov/Real-Estate-Tax). On a $650,000 assessed value: $650,000 ÷ 100 × $0.95 = $6,175/year = approximately $515/month escrowed.

Homeowner’s Insurance: Typically $1,200–$1,800/year for a home in this price range in Charlottesville. Estimate $130–$150/month.

PMI at 90% LTV: Conventional PMI at 10% down on a 720 FICO loan runs approximately $150–$200/month. Importantly, this drops off automatically when you reach 80% LTV — unlike FHA MIP, which stays for the life of the loan if you put less than 10% down.

Estimated total PITI: rate-dependent. Use the fixed costs above (taxes, insurance, PMI) plus the live P&I payment Cavalier Mortgage quotes you for your actual loan amount.

Closing costs estimate on a $650,000 purchase in Virginia:

Origination and lender fees: $1,500–$2,500 (wholesale shelf — typically lower than retail)

Title insurance and settlement attorney fee: $1,800–$2,500

Virginia state recordation tax (grantee/buyer side): $0.25 per $100 on the deed of trust amount. On $585,000: $585,000 ÷ 100 × $0.25 = $1,462.50. Source: Virginia Code § 58.1-803.

Appraisal: $600–$800

Prepaid interest (days 1 through end of closing month): varies by closing date

Escrow setup (2 months taxes + insurance): approximately $1,300–$1,400

Total estimated closing costs: $8,500–$11,000, not including any lender credits. Total cash to close at 10% down: approximately $73,500–$76,000 (excluding the rate-dependent P&I component).

Scenario B: Same Buyer, VA-Eligible

Same property, same buyer — but prior military service makes them VA-eligible. VA loan: $0 down payment. No PMI. VA funding fee (first use, no disability exemption, less than 5% down): 2.15% of the loan amount. On $650,000: $650,000 × 0.0215 = $13,975 — typically financed into the loan rather than paid at closing. Source: VA.gov funding fee table.

Loan amount with funded fee: $663,975. Monthly P&I is rate-dependent — request your live VA wholesale rate from Cavalier Mortgage. Without PMI ($150–$200/month) and without the $65,000 down payment tied up, the VA loan often wins on total cash preserved and monthly payment, particularly in the first 7–10 years.

Pitfall: Buyers routinely forget Virginia’s recordation taxes and city/county transfer fees at closing. These are not negotiable and add real dollars. Budget for them explicitly — don’t assume your closing cost estimate from an out-of-state calculator is accurate for Virginia.

Success indicator: You can model your own scenario using this same framework — purchase price, down payment percentage, loan amount, tax rate, PMI estimate — then call Cavalier Mortgage for the live rate component before your first broker call.

Step 5: Make an Offer and Lock Your Rate

You’ve found the property. Your pre-approval is verified. Now the clock starts running in two directions simultaneously: the seller’s timeline and your rate lock window. Managing both is where buyers either stay on track or start scrambling.

The offer-to-closing timeline in Virginia: Pre-approval → offer accepted → earnest money deposited → rate lock → appraisal ordered → underwriting → clear to close → closing disclosure (3 business days minimum before closing per CFPB rules) → closing day.

Earnest money in Charlottesville. Expect 1–3% of the purchase price as earnest money in competitive situations. On a $650,000 offer, that’s $6,500–$19,500 held in escrow. This is not a fee — it applies toward your closing costs or down payment — but it is at risk if you default outside a contingency window.

Rate lock strategy. In a volatile rate environment, locking too late costs you money. Locking too early on a 30-day lock when a seller takes two weeks to counter — and then the appraisal slips — leaves you scrambling for a rate lock extension, which carries its own cost. The standard options are 30-day, 45-day, and 60-day locks. Longer locks carry a slightly higher rate but protect you in drawn-out transactions. Float-down options are available on some wholesale investor products — these allow you to capture a lower rate if the market improves after you lock, within defined parameters. Ask about this specifically when we discuss your rate lock.

Wholesale rate access matters here. When I lock a rate for a Cavalier Mortgage client, that lock comes from the wholesale shelf — not the retail margin layer that a retail loan officer at a bank or direct lender works from. The structural difference is a layer of margin that retail borrowers pay whether they know it or not. For a deeper look at why this matters, see our breakdown of independent mortgage broker benefits for Charlottesville buyers.

Appraisal gap risk in Charlottesville. In competitive bidding situations, purchase prices sometimes exceed the appraised value. If you offer $650,000 and the appraisal comes in at $625,000, your lender can only lend against the appraised value. Options: an appraisal gap coverage clause in your offer (agreeing to cover a defined gap out of pocket), increasing your down payment to absorb the difference, or renegotiating with the seller. Discuss this with your realtor before submitting an offer in a multiple-bid scenario.

Pitfall: Waiting to lock because you think rates might drop, then watching them rise 25–50 basis points over two weeks while your transaction is in process. Lock when the math works for your budget — not when you think the market will cooperate.

Success indicator: Rate locked in writing with a confirmed expiration date, appraisal ordered, and inspection contingency timeline tracked on your calendar.

Step 6: Navigate Underwriting and Clear to Close

Underwriting is where the loan either gets approved or gets complicated. Most delays in Virginia closings are avoidable — they happen because buyers didn’t respond quickly to conditions or because a document surfaced that wasn’t anticipated in Step 1.

What underwriters review: Income documentation (W-2s, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements), asset documentation (source and seasoning of down payment funds), the appraisal report, title search results, flood zone certification, and HOA documentation if the property is in a condominium or planned community. Any conditions flagged during pre-approval that weren’t fully resolved will resurface here.

Common conditions that delay Virginia closings:

HOA certification delays: Charlottesville has a number of older condo conversions — buildings converted from apartments to condominiums where HOA records are sometimes incomplete or slow to produce. If you’re buying in a condo, order the HOA package early.

Title issues on older Albemarle County properties: Rural properties and older estates sometimes have easement questions, heir property issues, or survey discrepancies that require a title attorney to resolve. These can add days or weeks to a timeline.

Last-minute credit re-pulls: Lenders re-pull credit before closing. If you opened a new credit card, took out a car loan, or ran up a balance between pre-approval and closing, your debt-to-income ratio may have changed. This can trigger a condition — or worse, a denial. Freeze your credit activity from pre-approval through closing.

USDA-specific timeline: USDA Rural Development loans in Albemarle County, Crozet, Waynesboro, and Staunton require USDA Rural Development approval in addition to lender underwriting. Add 5–10 business days to your expected closing timeline. Check property eligibility first at the USDA eligibility map.

VA-specific timeline: VA appraisals are ordered through the VA’s own system — the lender does not select the appraiser. In active markets, VA appraisal turnaround can take longer than a conventional appraisal. Plan for this when negotiating your closing date. More detail at VA.gov.

The 24/7 availability difference. Underwriting conditions don’t arrive on a schedule. I’ve received condition requests at 6 PM on a Friday before a Monday closing. A retail loan officer at a bank is not available at that hour. I am. That’s not a marketing claim — it’s a pattern across 1,400+ transactions and the reason the 24/7 availability line in my profile is there. Buyers who’ve compared the experience firsthand share why in our mortgage broker vs. bank breakdown.

Pitfall: Responding slowly to underwriting condition requests. Every day of delay is a day closer to rate lock expiration — and rate lock extensions cost money.

Success indicator: Clear to Close (CTC) issued by the underwriter. Closing Disclosure received at least 3 business days before your closing date — this is a CFPB requirement, not a courtesy. Source: CFPB Closing Disclosure explainer.

Step 7: Close, Fund, and Get Your Keys — Charlottesville Edition

Virginia is an attorney-state for real estate closings. A licensed Virginia attorney must conduct the settlement — this is not optional, and it’s different from states where a title company handles the closing without an attorney present. In most transactions, the buyer has the right to select the settlement attorney and title company.

Final walk-through. Schedule your final walk-through within 24 hours of closing. Verify that the property is in the same condition as when you went under contract, that agreed-upon repairs were completed, and that no fixtures or appliances were removed. Issues found at the walk-through need to be resolved before you sign — not after.

Funds to close. Virginia does not allow personal checks above $10,000 at closing. You’ll wire funds or bring a certified check. On wire transfers: wire fraud is a serious and active threat in real estate transactions. Always verify wire instructions by phone directly with your settlement attorney — call the number you independently verified, not a number provided in an email. Never send wire funds based solely on email instructions, regardless of how official they look.

What you sign at closing: The promissory note (your personal promise to repay the loan), the deed of trust (the security instrument recorded against the property), the closing disclosure (confirming all final costs), the loan application certification, and Virginia-specific forms your settlement attorney will walk through. Budget 60–90 minutes for the closing appointment.

Post-closing. Your first mortgage payment is typically due 30–60 days after closing, depending on where in the month you close. The later in the month you close, the longer until your first payment. Your loan servicer will send a welcome letter — note that your loan may be transferred to a different servicer after closing. Under RESPA, you have protections during any servicing transfer and cannot be penalized for payments sent to the wrong servicer during the transition period.

Once the deed is recorded at the Charlottesville Circuit Court or Albemarle County Circuit Court, you’re on title. The keys are yours.

Cavalier Mortgage vs. Atlantic Coast Mortgage: The Structural Difference

The most common comparison I hear from Charlottesville buyers is Cavalier Mortgage versus Jenna Stiltner at Atlantic Coast Mortgage. Here’s the honest, structural breakdown.

Jenna Stiltner (NMLS #907344, ACM NMLS #643114) is a retail loan officer working within one institution’s product shelf, rate structure, and underwriting guidelines. For a straightforward conventional purchase with strong credit and standard documentation, that may be entirely adequate. The question is what happens when your scenario doesn’t fit the standard mold — VA to 500 FICO, bank statement income, DSCR investment property, ITIN, or jumbo with non-standard assets. A retail shelf has limits. A wholesale broker with 500+ investors does not. For a full side-by-side analysis, see our detailed Jenna Stiltner vs. Cavalier Mortgage comparison.

Category Cavalier Mortgage (Duane Buziak) Atlantic Coast Mortgage (Jenna Stiltner)
Broker Type Independent wholesale broker Retail single-lender
Wholesale Lender Access 500+ lenders simultaneously One institution’s product shelf
VA FICO Floor 500 FICO Standard retail minimums
Availability 24/7 Standard business hours
Programs Offered Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, DSCR, Non-QM, Bank Statement, ITIN, Foreign National, Asset Depletion, DPA Standard retail program menu
Review Count 1,400+ at 4.98★ across Google, Experience.com, Zillow, Facebook Not independently ranked
Scotsman Guide Ranking Top 114 nationally (2026, $51.2M solo) Not ranked
Rate Source Wholesale shelf (no retail margin layer) Retail rate sheet

The rate difference between wholesale and retail is structural, not situational. Retail loan officers work from a rate sheet that includes their institution’s margin. Wholesale rates don’t carry that layer. Over a 30-year loan on a $585,000 balance, even a modest rate difference compounds into a meaningful dollar figure.

You can start the comparison yourself with no credit risk. A soft credit pull mortgage pre-approval from Cavalier Mortgage gives you a full program assessment and rate range with no hard inquiry, no FICO impact, and no obligation. Call (434) 443-7028 or get your personalized rate quote now.

Frequently Asked Questions: Home Purchase Loans in Virginia

What credit score do I need for a home purchase loan in Virginia?

It depends on the loan program. Conventional loans require a 620 minimum; FHA requires 580 for 3.5% down or 500–579 for 10% down; VA loans have no VA-mandated minimum — Cavalier Mortgage accepts VA loans to 500 FICO; USDA typically requires 640+; jumbo loans generally require 700–720+. Source: HUD.gov and VA.gov.

Can I get a VA loan with a 500 FICO score in Charlottesville?

Yes. The VA itself does not set a minimum credit score — individual lenders set their own overlays. Cavalier Mortgage accepts VA loans to 500 FICO, which is among the lowest floors available from any broker or lender in Virginia. Most retail lenders require 580–620 minimum for VA. If you’ve been told you don’t qualify, call (434) 443-7028 for a second opinion.

What is the conforming loan limit in Albemarle County in 2026?

The 2026 conforming loan limit for single-family homes in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City is $806,500. Charlottesville/Albemarle is not designated a high-cost area under FHFA guidelines, so the baseline national limit applies. Homes priced above this threshold require jumbo financing. Verify the current limit at FHFA.gov.

Does Cavalier Mortgage offer a soft credit pull pre-approval?

Yes. Cavalier Mortgage offers a no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval — a full program assessment and realistic loan range based on a soft pull, with zero impact to your FICO score. When you’re ready to submit an offer, we convert to a hard-pull pre-approval. This approach protects your credit while keeping you market-ready. Call (434) 443-7028 to start.

What down payment assistance programs are available in Charlottesville VA?

Cavalier Mortgage offers the Dynamo DPA and Turbo DPA programs through the wholesale lender shelf. These are structured assistance programs that can cover part or all of your down payment depending on income limits and program availability. Details at cavaliermortgage.com/down-payment-assistance-programs-charlottesville/. Income and property eligibility requirements apply.

How long does USDA loan approval take in rural Albemarle County?

USDA Rural Development guaranteed loans require two layers of approval: lender underwriting plus USDA Rural Development agency approval. The USDA review adds approximately 5–10 business days to a standard closing timeline. Total timelines vary but plan for 45–60 days in most cases. Confirm property eligibility before going under contract at the USDA eligibility map.

What are closing costs on a home purchase in Virginia?

For a $650,000 purchase in Charlottesville, total closing costs typically range from $8,500–$11,000 depending on loan type, title fees, and prepaid items. Key Virginia-specific costs include the state recordation tax at $0.25 per $100 on the deed of trust (buyer/grantee side) under Virginia Code § 58.1-803, plus Charlottesville City or Albemarle County transfer taxes. These are not negotiable and are frequently underestimated by buyers using out-of-state closing cost calculators.

Can UVA international faculty get a mortgage without a Social Security number?

Yes. Cavalier Mortgage offers ITIN mortgage programs and foreign national loan programs through the wholesale non-QM shelf. The typical documentation path for ITIN buyers is passport, ITIN documentation, and 12–24 months of bank statements. These are genuine, frequently-used programs for UVA’s international faculty population — not theoretical alternatives. Call (434) 443-7028 to discuss your specific situation.


Legal Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to lend or a guarantee of loan approval. All loan programs, rates, terms, and guidelines are subject to change without notice and are dependent on borrower qualification, property eligibility, and market conditions at the time of application. Not all borrowers will qualify for all programs. This is not an advertisement for a specific loan product. Cavalier Mortgage is an independent mortgage broker. Loans are originated through Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205. Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647. Licensed in Virginia. Equal Housing Opportunity.

About the Author: Duane Buziak is an independent mortgage broker, NMLS #1110647, operating through Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC (NMLS #376205) and serving buyers throughout Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Crozet, Waynesboro, and Staunton. Named Virginia’s VA Broker of the Year for 2024 and 2025 (consecutive), ranked #114 nationally on the Scotsman Guide Top Originators list with $51.2M in closed volume, and backed by 1,400+ five-star reviews across Google, Experience.com, Zillow, and Facebook. Available 24/7. Call (434) 443-7028 or visit cavaliermortgage.com.

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