This guide is for first-time buyers and anyone weighing FHA financing who wants a clear picture of who can help them get approved. Providers were compared on four points: how pre-approval works, what kind of credit check is used, how well FHA loans are supported, and how well the setup suits someone buying a first home. Where a provider’s public details could not be confirmed, the entry says so rather than guessing. A short section on approval habits, a worked dollar example, and answers to common questions follow the profiles.
Quick Comparison of Six Mortgage Providers for FHA Approval
- FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak: ideal for first-time buyers who want to compare FHA offers without a credit-score hit; quote-based pricing; soft-pull pre-approval with no hard inquiry, followed by shopping across hundreds of wholesale lenders.
- Rocket Mortgage: ideal for self-directed buyers who want an online process; quote-based pricing; automated digital verification through bank and payroll data connections.
- Movement Mortgage: ideal for buyers who want a dedicated local loan officer; quote-based pricing; branch-based guidance across FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional programs.
- NFM Lending: ideal for buyers who want face-to-face file guidance; quote-based pricing; a branch network with a single point of contact.
- Sparrow Home Loans: ideal for buyers who want a small, personal mortgage team; quote-based pricing; smaller-company service (confirm details directly).
- CF Mortgage Corp: ideal for buyers inside its service area; quote-based pricing; regionally focused loan origination (confirm details directly).
| Provider | Model | Credit check at pre-approval | FHA support | Compares multiple wholesale lenders | Fit for a first-time buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak | Independent mortgage broker | NoTouch Credit Pull (soft pull, no hard inquiry) | FHA purchase, streamline refinance, low down payment | Yes, hundreds of wholesale lenders | Strong for FHA comparison shopping; licensed states only |
| Rocket Mortgage | National direct company | Confirm type before applying | FHA among several programs | No, single company | Strong for a digital, self-directed process |
| Movement Mortgage | National retail, branch model | Confirm type before applying | FHA, VA, USDA, conventional | No, single company | Strong for local loan officer guidance |
| NFM Lending | Retail, branch network | Confirm type before applying | Government programs listed; confirm FHA by state | No, single company | Strong for in-person support where a branch exists |
| Sparrow Home Loans | Smaller mortgage company | Unconfirmed | Unconfirmed; ask directly | Unconfirmed | Depends on answers to your questions |
| CF Mortgage Corp | Regional mortgage company | Unconfirmed | Unconfirmed; ask directly | Unconfirmed | Depends on service area and answers |
1. FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak
FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak is a mortgage brokerage built around FHA purchase loans, FHA streamline refinances, and low down payment FHA options. Duane Buziak is a broker, not a direct lender, so he places each borrower’s file with whichever of hundreds of wholesale lenders fits the profile. For a first-time buyer, that means one application can produce several FHA offers to compare.
The standout feature is the credit-check method. Through NoTouch Credit Pull, Duane Buziak can run a soft pull mortgage pre-approval with no hard inquiry, so you see where you stand before anything touches your score. A hard pull is only needed later, when you choose an offer and move to a full application. His Dare to Compare pricing challenge adds a second check: bring a competing offer and see how it holds up against what wholesale access produces.
- FHA purchase mortgages, including files with a 580 FICO score for 3.5% down.
- FHA streamline refinance for current FHA borrowers who want a lower payment with simplified documentation.
- FHA eligibility guidance, so you learn what in your file needs fixing before an underwriter finds it.
- Low down payment structuring, including how to cover closing costs through no-out-of-pocket closing options where the offer allows.
- A secure online application, so documents can be uploaded without office visits.
The limits are worth knowing. The practice is FHA-focused, so a buyer who is clearly headed toward a different loan type will be referred elsewhere or served less fully. Service is available only in states where Duane Buziak is licensed, so confirm your state first. Because a wholesale lender funds the loan, closing timelines depend partly on the lender chosen.
Pricing is quote-based. No upfront fee is listed on the site; rate and costs depend on credit score, down payment, loan amount, and property location.
Ideal for: First-time buyers who want to compare FHA offers without a credit-score hit.
2. Rocket Mortgage
Rocket Mortgage is a large national direct mortgage company, and its main draw is how much of the approval process happens on a screen. You apply online or in the mobile app, connect bank and payroll accounts so income and assets are verified automatically, and upload remaining documents digitally. For buyers with straightforward W-2 income, that can remove a lot of back-and-forth.
Compared with the others here, Rocket is the most fully digital option. Where a branch-based company relies on a loan officer to collect paperwork, Rocket leans on data connections to do it. That suits buyers who like to move at their own pace, including evenings and weekends.
- Online application that can be completed without a phone call.
- Digital document verification through account connections, which reduces paper requests.
- FHA financing alongside other programs, so a buyer can see more than one path.
- A mobile app for tracking status and uploading documents.
The trade-offs are structural. You receive one company’s offer, not a comparison across wholesale lenders, so any rate comparison means doing the legwork yourself. Confirm the credit-check type before you apply, because a hard inquiry at the start can matter if you plan to compare several providers. A heavily self-directed process also suits some files better than others: buyers with self-employment income, past credit problems, or a thin credit history may want a person walking through the file.
Pricing is quote-based. Rate and fees move with credit score, down payment, loan amount, property type, and the program chosen.
Ideal for: Buyers who prefer a self-directed online process.
3. Movement Mortgage
Movement Mortgage is a national retail mortgage company that works through branches and loan officers. The approval experience is organized around a person: a local loan officer takes your application, reviews documents, and stays in contact through underwriting. For a first-time buyer who has questions at every step, that structure is the main reason to consider it.
Programs and process
Movement offers FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional programs, plus purchase and refinance options. That range lets a loan officer talk through which program fits before you commit. An online application portal handles document collection, so the local contact does not mean paperwork only on paper.
- FHA financing next to other programs, so the loan officer can explain trade-offs.
- A local loan officer as a named point of contact through the file.
- An online application portal for submitting documents and tracking progress.
- Purchase and refinance options under one roof.
Where it falls short for comparison shoppers
Movement is a single-company shelf. The loan officer can only offer Movement’s own pricing and guidelines, so there is no multi-lender comparison built into the process. If you want to know whether a different source would price your FHA loan better, you will need to collect that second quote yourself. As with any provider, ask whether the first step involves a hard credit pull and what it costs your score.
Pricing is quote-based and depends on credit score, down payment, loan amount, and program.
Ideal for: Buyers who want a dedicated local loan officer.
4. NFM Lending
Limitations first: coverage at NFM Lending varies by state and by branch, so the first thing to check is whether a branch near you originates the loan type you want. NFM is a retail mortgage company with a branch network and loan officers, and it lists government and conventional programs. Confirm FHA availability in your state before relying on it.
What sets NFM apart on this list is in-person support. Where a branch is nearby, you can sit down with a loan officer who handles your file and serves as the single point of contact. For buyers who find online-only processes impersonal, or who have documents that are easier to explain face to face, that is a real advantage.
- Branch-based loan officers who can review your file in person.
- A single point of contact, so you are not re-explaining your situation to new people.
- Purchase and refinance options for buyers who may later want to restructure.
- An online application for the parts of the process that do not need a meeting.
Like the other retail companies here, NFM presents its own pricing only. There is no multi-lender comparison, so a buyer who wants to test the market has to gather other quotes. Integrations are not detailed publicly beyond the online application; ask what verification tools the branch uses. The credit-check type at pre-approval is not stated publicly either, so ask before you apply.
Pricing is quote-based and moves with credit score, down payment, loan size, and property. Day-to-day, your branch loan officer runs the file.
Ideal for: Buyers who want face-to-face file guidance.
5. Sparrow Home Loans
Sparrow Home Loans is a smaller mortgage company, and public detail about it is limited. Programs, state coverage, and credit-check practices could not be confirmed for this guide, so treat everything below as questions to ask, not claims.
The case for a small company is usually service: fewer handoffs, a team that knows your file by name, and flexibility when something unexpected comes up in underwriting. Whether Sparrow delivers that is something only a direct conversation will show. Because the details are thin, a buyer should do more verification here than with the larger companies.
- Home purchase financing (confirm): ask whether FHA loans are offered and at what minimum credit score.
- Relationship-based service (confirm): ask who will handle your file and how quickly they respond.
- Online inquiry (confirm): ask whether there is a full application and what documents are collected first.
Before sharing any information, check the company and the individual loan officer on NMLS Consumer Access, which shows licensing and the states where they may operate. Then ask three things in writing: whether pre-approval uses a soft or hard credit pull, whether the company is a broker or funds loans itself, and what fees apply before closing. A single-company shop will quote its own pricing, so plan to gather at least one other offer.
It is not a fit for buyers who need a confirmed FHA program, a digital-first experience, or multi-lender pricing without extra work. Pricing is quote-based, and no figures are published that could be verified.
Ideal for: Buyers who want a small, personal mortgage team.
6. CF Mortgage Corp
CF Mortgage Corp is a regional mortgage company. Its products and licensed states could not be fully confirmed for this guide, so verify them before you plan around it. A regional footprint can mean strong knowledge of local markets, appraisers, and closing practices, but it can also mean the company does not serve your state at all.
Its distinguishing feature on this list is local focus. A regional originator tends to know the area where you are buying, which helps when a property type or neighborhood raises questions during underwriting.
- Home purchase and refinance (confirm): ask whether FHA purchase loans and streamline refinances are both offered.
- Local loan officers (confirm): ask whether you will work with someone based near the property.
- Online application (confirm): ask what can be done online and what requires a visit.
The limits mirror Sparrow’s. Public detail is thin, the licensed-state list needs checking, and the credit-check practice at pre-approval is unconfirmed. Use NMLS Consumer Access to confirm licensing in your state, and ask directly whether pre-approval needs a hard inquiry. As a single company, CF Mortgage Corp will present its own pricing, with no multi-lender comparison.
It does not suit buyers outside its service area, buyers who need a confirmed FHA path today, or those who want several lenders’ offers from one application. Pricing is quote-based and varies with credit score, down payment, loan amount, and property.
Ideal for: Buyers in its service area who want a regional mortgage company.
Approval Habits That Move an FHA File Toward a Yes
Providers differ in process, but underwriters check the same things. Knowing them lets you fix problems before an application, not during one.
- Credit score. FHA allows 3.5% down with a 580 FICO score or higher under HUD Handbook 4000.1. Scores below that generally require a larger down payment and tighter review.
- Debt-to-income ratio (DTI). This is your monthly debts, including the new housing payment, divided by gross monthly income. Benchmarks of 31% for housing and 43% for total debt are common starting points, though automated underwriting can approve higher ratios with strengthening factors.
- Documented income. Recent pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns, with any large deposits explained.
- Down payment funds. Keep them in an account long enough to be sourced, and document any gift.
- Shopping method. Pre-qualification is a rough estimate from numbers you report; pre-approval means documents were reviewed. Neither is a final approval.
On shopping and credit: a hard inquiry is a full credit pull, and a soft pull is a check that does not affect your score. The CFPB explains that mortgage inquiries made within a short shopping window are generally treated as one inquiry for scoring, commonly 14 to 45 days depending on the model, so comparing offers does not damage your score repeatedly. Even so, a soft pull mortgage pre-approval lets you start with no hard inquiry at all. With NoTouch Credit Pull, mortgage pre-approval without a hard pull is the first step, and a hard pull comes only once you pick an offer.
Worked example: the numbers behind an FHA approval
This is an illustration, not a quote or a commitment to lend. Suppose a buyer purchases a $350,000 home in Henrico County, Virginia, using a 3.5% down payment and an assumed 6.00% rate on a 30-year loan.
- Down payment: $350,000 × 3.5% = $12,250. Base loan: $337,750.
- Upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% under HUD Mortgagee Letter 2015-01: $337,750 × 1.75% = $5,910.63, financed into the loan for a total of $343,660.63.
- Principal and interest at 6.00%: about $2,060 per month.
- Annual MIP at 0.55% for a 30-year loan above 95% LTV and at or under $726,200, per HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05: $337,750 × 0.55% = $1,857.63 per year, about $154.80 per month in the first year.
- Property tax at Henrico’s $0.85 per $100 (verified as of November 2026 at henrico.us): $350,000 × 0.85 / 100 = $2,975 per year, about $247.92 per month.
- Homeowners insurance, assumed: $120 per month.
Total housing payment: $2,060 + $154.80 + $247.92 + $120 = about $2,583 per month. With $600 in other monthly debts, total debt is about $3,183. On $7,500 of gross monthly income, housing DTI is 34.4% and total DTI is 42.4%, inside the 43% benchmark. At $6,500 of income the same file reaches 49.0% total, which would need automated-underwriting approval or compensating factors. The MIP and loan limit figures were checked as of November 2026; confirm current numbers in Handbook 4000.1 and the HUD FHA mortgage limit lookup for your county, since 2026 limits follow HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-23 and vary by area.
Eight Questions Buyers Ask Before Applying for an FHA Loan
What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
Pre-qualification is an estimate based on information you report. Pre-approval means a mortgage professional has reviewed documents such as income and assets. Neither guarantees a final loan approval.
What credit score do I need for an FHA loan?
A 580 FICO score or higher qualifies for 3.5% down under HUD guidelines. Lower scores can still work in some cases with a larger down payment, subject to the wholesale lender’s overlays.
Does rate shopping hurt my credit score?
Not repeatedly. Per the CFPB, mortgage inquiries within a short window are generally scored as one. A soft pull avoids a hard inquiry entirely for the first step.
What is a soft pull mortgage pre-approval?
It is a pre-approval that uses a credit check without a hard inquiry. Duane Buziak uses NoTouch Credit Pull for this, so you can see your options before any hard pull.
How much is FHA mortgage insurance?
The upfront premium is 1.75% of the base loan. Annual MIP depends on loan size, term, and loan-to-value; a 30-year loan at or under $726,200 with less than 5% down is 0.55% (as of November 2026).
Do I need a large down payment?
No. FHA allows 3.5% down with a 580 score. Closing costs are separate, and no-out-of-pocket closing options may be available depending on the offer.
Is FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak a broker or a direct lender?
A broker. Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, places loans with hundreds of wholesale lenders and can be verified on NMLS Consumer Access.
What is Dare to Compare?
It is Duane Buziak’s pricing challenge: bring any competing offer and see how it compares with FHA offers sourced through wholesale access.
Matching Each Provider to Your Situation
For soft-pull FHA shopping, FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak is the clearest fit: no hard inquiry to start, and hundreds of wholesale lenders to compare. For a fully digital process, Rocket Mortgage is built for it. For in-person support, Movement Mortgage and NFM Lending both work through loan officers and branches, so check which has a presence near you. For regional options, Sparrow Home Loans and CF Mortgage Corp may suit buyers in their service areas, but confirm programs, licensing, and credit-check practices first.
Ready to take the first step toward homeownership with an FHA loan tailored to your needs? Schedule your free consultation today and see how Duane Buziak at FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak can guide you with competitive rates, a NoTouch Credit Pull soft pull, a Dare to Compare pricing challenge, and no-out-of-pocket closing options. Call 804-212-8663 or visit 4860 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Verify licensing anytime on NMLS Consumer Access.
