Duane Buziak (NMLS#1110647) is a mortgage broker in Henrico County, VA, with an office at 4860 Cox Rd in Glen Allen. He shops hundreds of wholesale lenders for each borrower and offers a soft pull NoTouch Credit Pull pre-approval, so you can see your likely range without a hard inquiry. A mortgage broker does not lend its own money. It matches you with the wholesale lender whose pricing and guidelines fit your file.
This article covers what a broker does, how that differs from a bank or a single-shelf direct lender, and how to compare offers without a hard inquiry. It also includes a worked dollar example and a look at which loan programs fit Henrico buyers, from first-time purchases in Highland Springs to larger loans in Short Pump and Innsbrook.
Written by Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647
Duane Buziak, a Glen Allen-Based Broker Serving Henrico Homebuyers
Duane Buziak is a licensed mortgage broker (NMLS#1110647) at 4860 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060. You can reach him at 804-212-8663. He has been helping families find their new homes since 2014, and his work is centered on Henrico County purchases and refinances.
Most of his borrowers live or are buying in the western and central parts of the county: Short Pump, Innsbrook, Wyndham, Twin Hickory, Lakeside, Tuckahoe, and the areas around Deep Run Park and Dorey Park. He also works with buyers in eastern Henrico, including Varina and Highland Springs, where price points, property types, and loan programs often look quite different from the west end.
A mortgage broker is a licensed professional who arranges your home loan by submitting your application to wholesale lenders, rather than funding the loan from its own balance sheet. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gives a plain-language description in its guide on what a mortgage broker is, and it is worth reading before you choose anyone to work with.
You should also verify any mortgage professional’s license yourself. NMLS Consumer Access is the public database where you can search by name or NMLS number and confirm licensing status and the states where a broker may operate. Duane’s number is 1110647.
Broker, Bank, or Single-Shelf Direct Lender: What Changes for You
The structural difference is simple. A bank or single-shelf direct lender offers its own loan products at its own rate sheet, so every quote you get from it is one data point. A broker submits your scenario across hundreds of wholesale lenders and can choose the one that fits your credit, down payment, property type, and timeline.
Neither model is wrong for every borrower. A bank where you already hold accounts may offer relationship pricing worth checking. The question is whether you are seeing one shelf or many.
| Feature | Duane Buziak | Bank or Single-Shelf Direct Lender | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lender access | Hundreds of wholesale lenders compared for one file | One company’s products and guidelines | If one shelf declines or prices a file poorly, a broker can move it to another. |
| Pre-approval credit check | NoTouch Credit Pull: a soft pull mortgage pre-approval with no hard inquiry at the start | Often a hard credit pull at pre-approval | You can see a likely range and programs before any hard inquiry touches your score. |
| Pricing check | Dare to Compare: bring any written Loan Estimate and Duane prices the same scenario | One rate sheet, with no outside comparison built in | A same-scenario comparison is the only fair way to judge an offer. |
| Local presence | Glen Allen office, and you work with Duane personally | May route you through a call center or a handoff between teams | Local knowledge of Henrico neighborhoods, appraisals, and closing timelines helps on tight contracts. |
| Fit for unusual scenarios | Can match self-employed income, recent job changes, or niche property types to a suitable wholesale lender | Limited to that company’s guidelines | Atypical files are where one shelf is most likely to fall short. |
Compensation works differently too. A broker is typically paid either by the borrower, by the wholesale lender, or through a combination, depending on how the loan is structured. The CFPB advises borrowers to ask any broker how they are paid, and you should. Request the answer in writing and look for it on your Loan Estimate, where origination charges are itemized.
Comparing Offers Without a Hard Inquiry: The NoTouch Credit Pull
A mortgage pre-approval without hard pull is possible at the early stage, and that is what Duane’s NoTouch Credit Pull is designed to do. Here is how the process typically runs:
- You complete a short intake covering income, assets, the target price range, and the Henrico area you are considering.
- Duane reviews your information using a soft pull, which does not appear as a hard inquiry on your credit report.
- You receive a no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval picture: a likely price range, estimated payment, and the loan programs you may fit.
- When you choose a home and move forward, a full application follows, and at that point standard credit verification is required to underwrite the loan.
That last step matters. A soft-pull pre-approval is an informed estimate, not a commitment to lend, and final approval depends on documentation, the appraisal, and underwriting. What the soft pull gives you is the ability to explore options and compare programs before any hard inquiry is in play.
Many buyers believe all rate shopping damages credit. The reality is more nuanced. Scoring models generally treat multiple mortgage inquiries made within a short window as a single inquiry, often somewhere between 14 and 45 days depending on the model. The CFPB discusses this in its guidance on comparing mortgage offers, and you should check its current wording on the window. A soft pull sidesteps the question entirely during the early stage, when you are still figuring out what to aim for.
Then there is the Dare to Compare challenge. If you have a written offer from anyone, bring the Loan Estimate and Duane will price the same scenario: same loan amount, same term, same points, same credit assumptions. The CFPB’s Loan Estimate explainer walks through the standardized form, which makes line-by-line comparison possible.
A Worked Example: What a Quarter-Point Rate Difference Costs a Henrico Buyer
This is an illustration, not a current quote. Suppose a buyer is purchasing a single-family home in Glen Allen or Tuckahoe and borrowing $400,000 on a 30-year fixed-rate loan.
- At 6.50%, principal and interest is $2,528.27 per month.
- At 6.25%, principal and interest is $2,462.87 per month.
- The difference is $65.40 per month, or $784.80 per year.
- Over five years, that is $3,924.
These figures exclude property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any mortgage insurance, all of which raise the real monthly payment. Henrico County’s real estate tax has been $0.87 per $100 of assessed value in recent years, but check the county’s current real estate tax rate page for the figure as of 2026. At that rate, a $500,000 assessment would carry roughly $4,350 in annual county tax, or about $363 a month, before insurance.
The point of the example is where a broker’s value tends to sit. A single rate sheet gives you one price for your file. A broker comparing wholesale options is looking for the shelf where that quarter-point, or an equivalent saving in fees, actually exists. Sometimes the saving shows up as a lower rate, and sometimes as a lower cost to close.
When closing costs come up, Duane can walk through no-out-of-pocket closing options, which structure costs so you may bring less cash to the table. These involve tradeoffs, usually a slightly higher rate, so the right choice depends on how long you plan to stay in the home and how much cash you want to keep on hand.
Loan Programs a Henrico Broker Can Match to Your Neighborhood and Budget
Henrico County covers very different housing markets, and the right program depends on the buyer. A snapshot of the main options:
- Conventional: Flexible for many credit profiles and property types. On a cash-out refinance, the maximum is 90% loan-to-value.
- FHA: Lower down payment and credit flexibility for many first-time buyers. HUD explains the basics on its FHA loan page.
- VA: For eligible veterans and service members, with no down payment required on many purchases. VA cash-out refinances can go up to 100% loan-to-value. See the VA home loans page for eligibility. Military ties in the region include Defense Supply Center Richmond in neighboring Chesterfield County, so many Central Virginia households qualify.
- USDA: Only where the property address is in an eligible area. Check the address on the USDA eligibility map before assuming it applies, as most of Henrico’s suburban core will not qualify.
Where the loan limit draws the line
The Federal Housing Finance Agency sets conforming loan limits each year. For 2026 the baseline is $832,750, and the high-cost ceiling is $1,249,125, as shown in the FHFA announcement. Henrico County is generally in the baseline tier rather than a high-cost area, but confirm the county’s figure in FHFA’s lookup before relying on it. Loans above the applicable limit are jumbo loans, which matters for some Short Pump, Innsbrook, and River Road corridor purchases where larger loan amounts are common.
Two buyers, two shelves
Consider a first-time buyer in Highland Springs or Varina. A modest down payment, an FHA or low-down-payment conventional loan, and careful attention to the monthly payment may all be in play. Now consider a move-up buyer in Wyndham or Twin Hickory with equity from a sale, a larger loan amount, and possibly a jumbo or high-balance structure. Their files, program fits, and pricing priorities barely overlap, which is why a single shelf rarely serves both well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Henrico Mortgage Brokers
Who is a mortgage broker in Henrico County VA?
Duane Buziak (NMLS#1110647) is a mortgage broker in Henrico County, VA, with an office at 4860 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060. He compares hundreds of wholesale lenders for each borrower and can be reached at 804-212-8663. He has been helping families find their new homes since 2014.
What does a mortgage broker cost?
It depends on how the loan is structured, because a broker may be paid by the borrower, by the wholesale lender, or both. Ask for the compensation in writing, as the CFPB recommends, and confirm it on your Loan Estimate. Duane can also explain no-out-of-pocket closing options if you want to limit cash at closing.
Is a broker different from a bank?
Yes. A bank or single-shelf direct lender offers its own products and rate sheet, while a broker shops many wholesale lenders for your scenario. A bank may still suit some borrowers, so compare in writing before deciding.
Does pre-approval with Duane hurt my credit?
The first step does not, because the NoTouch Credit Pull uses a soft pull with no hard inquiry. A full application later requires standard credit verification for underwriting. The soft-pull stage lets you explore your range and programs first.
What is NoTouch Credit Pull?
It is Duane’s soft pull mortgage pre-approval process. It gives you a likely price range and program options without a hard inquiry at the outset. It is an estimate, not a loan approval or commitment to lend.
What is the Dare to Compare challenge?
It is an invitation to bring any written Loan Estimate from another source so Duane can price the same scenario. Matching loan amount, term, points, and credit assumptions makes the comparison verifiable. You decide with real numbers in front of you.
Which loan programs can I use in Henrico?
Conventional, FHA, and VA loans are all available for Henrico purchases, and jumbo options apply above the conforming limit. USDA applies only when the specific property address is in an eligible area. Duane matches the program to your income, down payment, and neighborhood.
How do I verify a broker’s license?
Search the broker’s name or NMLS number on NMLS Consumer Access. Duane’s NMLS number is 1110647, and the record shows licensing status and the states where he is licensed: VA, FL, TN, GA, and DC.
Start With a Soft Pull, Then Decide With Real Numbers
Duane Buziak is the Glen Allen-based Henrico mortgage broker who can run a NoTouch Credit Pull and compare your options without a hard inquiry. If you already hold a written offer, bring it and take the Dare to Compare challenge. Call 804-212-8663 to talk it through.
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.