Dare to Compare is Duane Buziak’s open invitation to check a mortgage price against any other written offer, so a Henrico buyer or homeowner does not have to take a sales claim on trust. If you want to know how Dare to Compare pricing works for a Henrico mortgage, the short answer is that you bring a quote, Duane prices the same scenario, and you compare the two on paper.
This article covers what the challenge is, how to run it with two Loan Estimates, a worked example with real arithmetic, and the points that keep the comparison fair. It is written mainly for first-time and general Henrico buyers, with notes for anyone shopping rates in the Short Pump area.
Written by Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647 | Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC NMLS #376205
What Duane Buziak Prices When You Bring a Competing Quote
You bring a written quote from another provider. Duane Buziak, a mortgage broker serving Henrico County from Glen Allen, prices the same scenario so you can compare the two line by line. The comparison runs on documents, not promises. Ask Duane for the current specifics of the program, including which documents he needs and which loan types it covers, when you reach out.
A few terms make the rest of this article easier to follow:
- Mortgage broker: a licensed professional who can price a loan across multiple wholesale lenders, rather than offering one in-house rate sheet.
- Rate sheet: the price list a lender publishes, showing the rate available at each combination of points or credits.
- Loan Estimate: a standardized three-page form that shows rate, payment, and costs for a specific loan.
- Discount points: upfront fees paid to lower the rate. One point equals 1% of the loan amount.
- Lender credits: money applied toward your costs in exchange for accepting a higher rate.
A stated rate on its own proves very little. It only becomes comparable when you also know the points or credits attached, the fees, the loan type, the lock period, and the loan amount. A 6.00% quote that needs a point and a 6.25% quote that carries a credit are different products, not a better and a worse one.
For anyone asking who a mortgage broker in Henrico VA is: Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, is a mortgage broker based in Glen Allen, helping families find their new homes since 2014. Dare to Compare is how he asks Henrico borrowers to test that claim rather than accept it.
Step by Step: Running the Comparison With Two Loan Estimates
The process is short, and most of the work is making sure the two quotes describe the same loan.
- Gather the competing Loan Estimate. A written Loan Estimate is far more useful than a verbal rate or an advertised number.
- Share the scenario. Duane needs the purchase price, down payment, credit score range, how you will occupy the home, the loan program (conventional, FHA, or VA), and the lock length on the quote you hold.
- Get a matching Loan Estimate. The scenario should mirror the first quote as closely as possible.
- Compare the two forms using the checklist below.
Confirm with Duane exactly what the program requires from you, including the document type, the timing, and the loan programs it covers. Those terms are his to state, and you should hear them directly rather than assume.
Where to look on the form
The CFPB explains each section on its page on understanding the Loan Estimate. The parts that matter most for a side-by-side check:
- Interest rate and monthly payment on page one, along with whether the rate can change.
- Section A, origination charges: fees for the broker or lender’s work, and any points paid.
- Section B, services you cannot shop for: items such as the appraisal and credit report, chosen by the provider.
- Section C, services you can shop for: title and similar services, where you may choose your own provider.
- Section D, total loan costs: the sum of A, B, and C, a clean number to compare.
- Cash to Close: what you actually bring to the table.
Next, check that both quotes assume the same lock period and the same structure of points versus credits. A 15-day lock priced against a 45-day lock is not a fair test, and neither is a quote with points against one with credits. If either difference exists, ask for a re-quote on matching terms before drawing conclusions.
A Worked Example: A $400,000 Glen Allen Purchase
This is a hypothetical illustration, not a quote and not current rates. Suppose you are buying a $400,000 home in Glen Allen with 20% down ($80,000). That leaves a $320,000 conventional 30-year loan at 80% loan-to-value, well under the 2026 baseline conforming limit of $832,750 set by FHFA.
Principal and interest comes from the standard amortization formula: M = P × r ÷ (1 − (1 + r)^−n), where P is the loan amount, r is the monthly rate, and n is the number of payments (360).
- At 6.25%, r = 0.0625 ÷ 12 = 0.0052083, giving about $1,970 per month.
- At 6.00%, r = 0.005, giving about $1,919 per month.
The gap is about $52 a month, roughly $620 a year, and about $18,600 across all 360 payments. On those numbers alone, the lower rate looks like the clear choice.
Now add the other side. Suppose the 6.00% quote requires one discount point, which is 1% of $320,000, or $3,200 upfront. Divide that by the monthly savings: $3,200 ÷ $51.74 is about 62 months, or just over five years. If you expect to sell or refinance before then, the 6.25% quote with no point costs you less overall, even though its rate is higher.
Neither quote is wrong. They answer different questions: how low a payment do you want, and how long will you keep the loan? That is why Dare to Compare looks at three figures together: the monthly payment, the cash to close, and the break-even. Rate alone tells you almost nothing about which loan fits your plans.
Why a Broker Can Respond Differently Than a Single Shelf
The structural difference is simple. A broker can price one scenario across several wholesale lenders and present what fits. A provider with a single rate sheet can only offer the price on that sheet. When you bring a quote, a broker has more places to look for a response; a single-shelf provider has one.
That matters most in two Henrico situations. First-time buyers weighing FHA, VA, and conventional programs are comparing different mortgage products, not just different rates, and access to more than one shelf helps match the program to the borrower. Move-up buyers in Short Pump, Wyndham, or Twin Hickory may be near high-balance territory. The 2026 high-cost ceiling is $1,249,125, but whether it applies to Henrico depends on the county’s designation, so confirm the limit for your loan with Duane or FHFA’s published limits before assuming it.
Shopping without a hard inquiry up front
Duane’s pre-qualification uses the NoTouch Credit Pull, a soft pull, so starting the conversation does not add a hard inquiry. A full application and a formal Loan Estimate are later steps, and a credit check is typically part of that stage. Ask Duane how the timing works in your case so there are no surprises.
The honest limit
A broker is not guaranteed to be the lowest on every single loan. Pricing moves daily, and another provider may occasionally have a sharper offer on a particular scenario. That is exactly why the comparison is run on paper: if the other quote is stronger on your numbers, the Loan Estimates will show it.
Dare to Compare at a Glance: Broker vs. Single-Shelf Provider
The table below summarizes the structural differences. “Single-shelf provider” describes any provider that prices from one in-house rate sheet.
| Feature | Duane Buziak / Coast2Coast | Single-shelf provider | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lender access | Prices a scenario across multiple wholesale lenders | One rate sheet, one set of prices | More shelves means more chances that a program or price fits your situation. |
| Pre-approval credit pull | NoTouch Credit Pull, a soft pull for pre-qualification | A hard pull is commonly required, though practices vary | Each hard inquiry can touch your score, so a soft start protects it while you shop. |
| Pricing check | Dare to Compare: your written quote versus a matching Loan Estimate | Pricing from that provider’s sheet alone | A paper comparison replaces a sales claim with evidence. |
| Local presence | Glen Allen office, working directly with Duane | Often a call-center handoff | Henrico closings involve local appraisers, title work, and timelines that benefit from someone nearby. |
| Closing costs | No-out-of-pocket closing options may be available, subject to eligibility | Varies by provider | Cash to close often decides whether a purchase works, so ask what applies to you. |
A comparison is only as good as its inputs. These are the mistakes that most often distort it:
- Comparing quotes pulled on different days, when pricing may have moved.
- Ignoring lender credits, which can make a higher rate cost less upfront.
- Setting quotes for different loan types, such as FHA against conventional, side by side as if they were equivalent.
- Treating a Loan Estimate as final before the rate is locked.
Dare to Compare FAQ
Who is a mortgage broker in Henrico VA?
Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, is a mortgage broker serving Henrico County from Glen Allen. He shops multiple wholesale lenders rather than one in-house rate sheet, and has helped families find their new homes since 2014.
What is Dare to Compare?
Dare to Compare is Duane’s challenge to check his pricing against any other written offer. You bring a quote, he prices the same scenario, and you compare the two Loan Estimates line by line.
What do I need to bring?
Bring your competing written quote, ideally a Loan Estimate, plus basics such as price, down payment, credit range, occupancy, and loan program. Confirm the exact document and timing requirements directly with Duane when you call.
Does it affect my credit?
Starting a pre-qualification does not affect your credit, because Duane uses the NoTouch Credit Pull, a soft pull. A full application and Loan Estimate later typically involve a credit check, so ask Duane how that step works.
Is the lowest rate always the lowest cost?
No. A lower rate often comes with discount points, and a higher rate may carry lender credits. Compare monthly payment, cash to close, and break-even months together, as in the $400,000 Glen Allen example above.
How long is a Loan Estimate valid or a rate lock good for?
It depends on the provider and your lock choice, so read the dates on your form. Under CFPB guidance, estimated costs are generally available for at least 10 business days, and the CFPB explains how rate locks work.
Does this work for refinancing as well as purchases?
Yes, the same paper comparison applies to refinancing, since refinances also come with a Loan Estimate. Cash-out limits differ by program: conventional cash-out is capped at 90% loan-to-value, and VA cash-out can reach 100%. Whether you own near Lakeside or by Dorey Park, the comparison method is identical.
How do I start a pre-qualification with Duane?
Call 804-212-8663 or start a credit-safe pre-qualification with Henrico Mortgage by Duane Buziak. It uses a soft pull, so it will not hurt your score, and you can bring your competing quote to the conversation, whether you are house-hunting near Deep Run Park or elsewhere in the county.
Put Two Loan Estimates Side by Side Before You Lock
Dare to Compare comes down to one habit: check price on paper, using matching Loan Estimates, before you commit. Rate, points, credits, fees, lock period, and cash to close all belong in the same comparison, and any provider’s offer should be able to survive it.
Your dream home in Henrico County is closer than you think. Discover exactly what you can afford with our credit-safe pre-qualification process that protects your score while unlocking your options. Get pre-qualified today and take the first step toward homeownership with a local mortgage expert who understands your community. You can also call 804-212-8663.