Online mortgage shopping puts a long list of names in front of you, and each rate quote can come with a credit pull attached. This guide is for FHA borrowers and first-time buyers in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Washington DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maryland who want named companies and a way to judge them. The six companies were chosen for FHA availability, whether pre-approval uses a soft pull or a hard pull, online and in-person support, and ratings and licensing you can check yourself. “Top rated” here means verifiable, not a star score copied from a review site.
Quick Comparison of the Six Companies
- FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak: ideal for FHA borrowers who want hands-on guidance; starting price see website; offers soft pull pre-approval through NoTouch Credit Pull while a broker compares hundreds of wholesale lenders.
- Rocket Mortgage: ideal for app-first borrowers; starting price see website; the most polished digital self-service experience on this list.
- Movement Mortgage: ideal for buyers who want a local officer with national technology; starting price see website; pairs branch loan officers with a national digital platform.
- NFM Lending: ideal for first-time buyers who prefer face-to-face service; starting price see website; branch-led origination with Mid-Atlantic roots.
- Sparrow Home Loans: ideal for borrowers who prefer a smaller shop; starting price see website; the smallest-company, personal-attention positioning on the list.
- CF Mortgage Corp: ideal for buyers inside its service area; starting price see website; a regionally focused origination model.
Side-by-Side: Model, FHA Access, Credit Check, and Support
The table reflects what each company publishes as of November 2026. Where a detail could not be confirmed, it says so. Confirm every cell with the company before you apply.
| Company | Business model | FHA loans | Pre-approval credit check | Support style | Verify yourself |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak | Broker shopping hundreds of wholesale lenders | Core focus: purchase, streamline refinance, low down payment | Soft pull through NoTouch Credit Pull, no hard inquiry | Direct guidance from Duane Buziak, phone and online | NMLS #1110647 on NMLS Consumer Access |
| Rocket Mortgage | Online-first direct lender | Offered; confirm current terms | Ask before applying whether a hard pull is used | App, dashboard, phone | CFPB complaint data, NMLS record |
| Movement Mortgage | Retail lender with local loan officers | Offered; confirm current terms | Ask the loan officer | Branch officer plus online portal | Branch officer’s NMLS record, CFPB complaint data |
| NFM Lending | Branch-based retail lender | Offered; confirm current terms | Ask the loan officer | In-person, with an online application option | State licensing, CFPB complaint data |
| Sparrow Home Loans | Smaller mortgage company; confirm model on its site | Confirm on its site | Ask before applying | Personal service (as positioned) | Licensing in your state |
| CF Mortgage Corp | Regional mortgage company; confirm model on its site | Confirm on its site | Ask before applying | Regional service (as positioned) | Service area and licensing |
Checking a Rating Yourself Without Damaging Your Credit
Star scores on third-party sites are hard to audit. Two public sources are easier to trust. The CFPB consumer complaint database lets you search a company by name and see what borrowers reported and how the company responded. NMLS Consumer Access confirms that a company and the individual loan officer are licensed in your state, and shows any regulatory actions.
Terms that decide how much a quote costs you
A hard inquiry is a full credit pull that can lower your score slightly and appears on your report. A soft pull mortgage check, such as Duane Buziak’s NoTouch Credit Pull, does not. That makes it a mortgage pre-approval without hard pull, a no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval. Not every company works this way, so ask each one. The CFPB’s homebuying guidance explains how mortgage inquiries are treated when you shop, but a soft pull removes the question for the pre-approval stage.
A direct lender funds loans from its own shelf of products. A broker submits your file to many wholesale lenders and compares them for you. The Loan Estimate is the standardized three-page form every applicant receives, and it is the only fair way to compare offers line by line. Duane Buziak calls this the Dare to Compare approach: bring any Loan Estimate and ask for a side-by-side.
Two misconceptions are worth dropping. Online does not automatically mean cheaper, because cost depends on the rate, points, and fees on your Loan Estimate. And the first quote is not the final one, since it can change with your credit, property, and lock timing.
1. FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak
FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak is an FHA-focused mortgage brokerage led by Duane Buziak (NMLS #1110647). It is built for first-time buyers and borrowers who need a low down payment and want a person to walk them through eligibility, not an app to guess at it.
Its distinguishing point on this list is the credit check. NoTouch Credit Pull gives you mortgage pre-approval without a hard pull, so you can see where you stand before any inquiry lands on your report. Because Duane is a broker, your file is compared across hundreds of wholesale lenders instead of one rate sheet.
- FHA purchase mortgages for buyers using the low down payment FHA program.
- FHA streamline refinance for current FHA borrowers who want a lower payment with simplified paperwork.
- Low down payment FHA loans structured with the mortgage insurance costs shown up front.
- FHA eligibility guidance on credit, income, and property questions before you make an offer.
- NoTouch Credit Pull so comparison shopping starts with no hard inquiry.
Setup runs through Duane directly, with verification available on NMLS Consumer Access. No-out-of-pocket closing options can be explored where the loan structure allows. The limits are real: this is a broker, not an app-only direct lender, and the focus is FHA, so it is not a full product menu. If you want to finish everything inside a mobile app, others here suit you better.
Pricing: no consultation fee is published, and rates are quoted individually based on credit, down payment, and property. See the website.
Ideal for: FHA borrowers who want hands-on guidance and a no-hard-pull comparison.
2. Rocket Mortgage
Rocket Mortgage is a large online-first direct lender designed for borrowers who want to apply, upload documents, and track a loan without leaving a screen. Its edge on this list is polish: the end-to-end digital self-service experience is the most refined of the six.
- Digital application and document upload let you submit paperwork from a phone or computer.
- An online account dashboard shows your loan status and outstanding items.
- FHA and other loan programs are offered; verify current FHA terms before relying on them.
- Refinance options sit in the same account as purchase financing.
Setup happens through the Rocket mobile app and web account, with digital e-signing, and you largely run the process yourself with support available on request. That suits confident borrowers and frustrates those with questions about FHA eligibility.
The limitations are structural. As a direct lender it quotes from its own rate sheet, so you do not get a comparison across wholesale lenders. Confirm before applying whether pre-approval requires a hard credit pull, since practices differ by company and can change.
Pricing: rates are quoted individually. Credit score, down payment, loan size, and points move the price. See the website.
Ideal for: tech-comfortable borrowers who prioritize app convenience.
3. Movement Mortgage
Movement Mortgage is a retail lender that pairs local loan officers with digital application tools across many states. Its hybrid model is the draw: you get a named person in your market plus a national company’s technology.
Movement offers FHA, VA, and conventional programs, though terms should be verified currently, and for an FHA buyer only the FHA side matters here. You can start online and still have a loan officer to call.
- Local loan officers who can explain your market and your file in person or by phone.
- Online application tools so you can submit documents outside branch hours.
- Purchase and refinance loans under one roof.
- A branch network that can support a transaction through closing.
Setup is through its online portal, with a loan officer running the file day to day. The main caveat is variability: experience and pricing can differ from branch to branch, so judge the individual officer, not the logo. Check that officer’s record on NMLS Consumer Access. As a single-lender shelf, you also will not see competing wholesale options unless you gather other Loan Estimates yourself.
Pricing: rates are quoted individually and move with credit, down payment, and loan program. See the website.
Ideal for: buyers who want a local officer backed by a national lender.
4. NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a branch-based retail lender with a strong East Coast presence; verify its current footprint on its website. It is designed for borrowers who want a relationship with a loan officer who can sit across a desk.
What sets it apart here is the relationship-driven, branch-led approach with Mid-Atlantic roots. It runs closer to the traditional model than the app-first companies.
- Branch-based loan officers who handle your file in person.
- FHA, VA, and conventional options to be confirmed against its current offerings.
- Purchase and refinance loans for buyers and existing owners.
- An online application option so you can begin before meeting anyone.
Setup typically starts with an online application or a branch conversation, and your loan officer runs the file from there. Plan for less self-service than Rocket offers. The limitations are availability and shelf: it depends on state licensing, so confirm it is licensed where the property sits, and as a single lender it quotes from its own products. Ask whether pre-approval involves a hard credit pull.
Pricing: rates are quoted individually and depend on credit, down payment, and the program chosen. See the website.
Ideal for: first-time buyers who want to work face to face with a local loan officer.
5. Sparrow Home Loans
Sparrow Home Loans is a smaller mortgage company. Its business model, state coverage, and FHA availability could not be confirmed for this guide, so treat every detail as something to check on its official site as of November 2026.
The reason to look at a company like this is scale. A smaller shop may offer more direct access to the people handling your file, and that is the positioning to test against the official site.
- Home purchase financing, to be verified, which tells you whether it fits a first-time buyer.
- Refinance options, to be verified, which matters if you already own.
- Personal-service positioning, to be verified, which you can test by asking who will handle your file.
Integrations and setup details are not published in a form we could confirm, so ask how applications are taken, which documents are uploaded where, and who your contact is. The limitations are the unknowns: lower brand recognition, a probably narrower footprint, and fewer public ratings to compare. Confirm it is licensed in your state on NMLS Consumer Access, and search the CFPB complaint database for its name. Ask directly whether FHA loans are offered and whether pre-approval uses a hard pull.
Pricing: not confirmed. Request a Loan Estimate and compare it line by line. See the website.
Ideal for: borrowers who prefer a smaller shop’s attention over brand scale.
6. CF Mortgage Corp
CF Mortgage Corp is a regional mortgage company. Its home state, programs, and licensing should be checked on its website, because those details could not be confirmed for this guide as of November 2026.
The appeal of a regional specialist is local knowledge. If you are buying inside its service area, a company that closes loans there regularly may understand local appraisers, title practices, and timelines.
- Purchase and refinance loans, to be verified, so you know whether your goal is covered.
- FHA availability, to be verified, which is the first question for this audience.
- Regional service focus, to be verified, which shows whether your property falls inside its area.
Setup and integrations are not published in a form we could confirm. Ask how you apply, how documents are exchanged, and who runs the file. The limits are reach and visibility: it has limited national reach and fewer public ratings to compare, so the CFPB complaint database and NMLS Consumer Access matter more here. If you are buying outside its footprint, it will not apply. Confirm whether pre-approval uses a hard credit pull.
Pricing: not confirmed. Rates are most likely quoted individually; get a written Loan Estimate. See the website.
Ideal for: buyers inside its service area who want a regional specialist.
A Worked FHA Payment Example With Real Numbers
Whatever company you choose, the FHA cost structure is the same, and you should be able to reproduce it on your Loan Estimate. This is an illustration, not a quote. It assumes a $300,000 purchase, 3.5% down, a 30-year fixed loan at a hypothetical 6.00% rate, and the Henrico County, Virginia property tax rate of $0.85 per $100 of assessed value (henrico.us). Tax rates differ by county and state, so substitute your own.
- Down payment: 3.5% of $300,000 = $10,500.
- Base loan amount: $300,000 minus $10,500 = $289,500. This sits below the 2026 FHA national floor limit of $541,287 (HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-23, verified November 2026).
- Upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP): 1.75% of $289,500 = $5,066.25, financed into the loan (HUD Mortgagee Letters, ML 2015-01, verified November 2026). New loan amount: $294,566.25.
- Principal and interest at 6.00% over 30 years: about $1,766.07 per month.
- Annual MIP at 0.55%, the rate for a 30-year loan at or below $726,200 with a down payment under 5% (ML 2023-05, verified November 2026): 0.55% of $289,500 = $1,592.25 per year, about $132.69 per month.
- Property tax: $300,000 times 0.85 per 100 = $2,550 per year, or $212.50 per month.
Total monthly payment before homeowners insurance: $1,766.07 + $132.69 + $212.50 = $2,111.26. Annual MIP is recalculated as the balance falls, so later years run slightly lower. Rate and fees will vary by company, which is why the same scenario should be priced on several Loan Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which online mortgage companies are top rated?
No single ranking settles it. Check the CFPB complaint database and NMLS Consumer Access for any company you consider, then compare written Loan Estimates. This guide covers FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak, Rocket Mortgage, Movement Mortgage, NFM Lending, Sparrow Home Loans, and CF Mortgage Corp.
Does getting a mortgage quote hurt my credit?
It can if the company runs a hard inquiry. A soft pull mortgage check does not create one. Ask each company which it uses before you give permission.
What is NoTouch Credit Pull?
It is Duane Buziak’s soft pull pre-approval process. It supports a no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval so you can compare options without an inquiry on your report.
Is a broker different from a direct lender?
Yes. A direct lender funds loans from its own products. A broker such as Duane Buziak compares hundreds of wholesale lenders for your file.
Is online mortgage shopping cheaper?
Not automatically. Cost depends on rate, points, and fees. Compare Loan Estimates, whether the company is online or in person.
What are the FHA mortgage insurance costs?
As of November 2026, the upfront premium is 1.75% of the base loan (ML 2015-01). Annual MIP is 0.55% for a 30-year loan at or below $726,200 with a down payment under 5% (ML 2023-05). Other tiers differ.
What is the 2026 FHA loan limit?
The national floor for 2026 is $541,287 (HUD ML 2025-23, verified November 2026). Limits are higher in some counties, so check HUD’s FHA loan information for your area.
How do I confirm a mortgage professional is licensed?
Search the company or loan officer on NMLS Consumer Access and confirm licensing in the state where you are buying.
Matching the Company to Your Situation
If you want to finish everything in an app, Rocket Mortgage is built for that. If you want a local officer with a national platform behind them, look at Movement Mortgage. If you want to sit down with someone in a branch, NFM Lending fits that style. If you prefer a regional or smaller shop, Sparrow Home Loans and CF Mortgage Corp are worth a look once you have confirmed their licensing, programs, and FHA availability.
If you are an FHA borrower who wants soft pull pre-approval and a broker comparing hundreds of wholesale lenders, Duane Buziak is the fit. Through the Dare to Compare challenge, you can bring any Loan Estimate and see it matched against wholesale options, with no-out-of-pocket closing options explored where the structure allows.
Ready to take the first step toward homeownership with an FHA loan tailored to your needs? Schedule your free consultation today and discover how Duane Buziak can help you navigate the path to your new home with competitive rates and expert guidance. Call 804-212-8663 or visit 4860 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, is licensed in VA, FL, TN, GA, and DC.
