Quick answer: Duane Buziak, a mortgage broker, offers NoTouch Credit Pull soft pull FHA pre-approval across his licensed states: VA, FL, TN, GA, DC, NC, SC and MD. It is a mortgage pre-approval without a hard pull at the first step. Confirm each other provider’s current credit-pull policy directly before you apply.
This comparison is for FHA buyers and refinancers who want to see approval odds and pricing before a hard inquiry lands on their report. Providers were weighed on five criteria: credit-pull method at pre-approval, FHA program fit, shelf breadth, licensed-state reach, and how transparent they are about all of it.
Side-by-Side Snapshot of Soft Pull FHA Pre-Approval Providers
- FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak: FHA buyers and refinancers who want no hard inquiry first; rates quoted per borrower, see website; the only option here pairing a NoTouch Credit Pull soft pull with comparison across hundreds of wholesale lenders.
- Movement Mortgage: borrowers who want a local branch; rates quoted per borrower, see website; a community branch network with in-person loan officers.
- NFM Lending: buyers inside its licensed footprint; rates quoted per borrower, see website; a regional retail lender built around local loan officers.
- Rocket Mortgage: borrowers who want a fully digital process; rates quoted per borrower, see website; end-to-end online workflow at national scale.
- Sparrow Home Loans: borrowers comparing a smaller mortgage company; see website; no public soft-pull detail was confirmed, so ask directly.
- CF Mortgage Corp: borrowers collecting one more FHA quote; see website; credit-pull terms not publicly confirmed, so ask directly.
| Provider | Model | Pre-approval credit pull | FHA products | Shelf | State reach | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak | Broker | NoTouch Credit Pull (soft pull, no hard inquiry) | Purchase, streamline refinance, low down payment FHA | Hundreds of wholesale lenders | VA, FL, TN, GA, DC, NC, SC, MD | Hard pull still needed at underwriting |
| Movement Mortgage | Retail lender, branches | Confirm directly | Purchase, refinance | Single company | Confirm on its site | Pull method, FHA overlays |
| NFM Lending | Retail lender, regional | Confirm directly | Purchase, refinance | Single company | Limited footprint, confirm | Pull method, licensed states |
| Rocket Mortgage | National direct lender | Confirm whether soft or hard | Purchase, refinance | Single company | Confirm on its site | Pull method at pre-approval |
| Sparrow Home Loans | Mortgage company | Not publicly confirmed | Verify availability | Single company | Confirm on its site | FHA offered, pull method, states |
| CF Mortgage Corp | Mortgage company | Not publicly confirmed | Verify availability | Single company | Confirm on its site | FHA programs, pull method, states |
Soft Pull, Hard Inquiry, Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval Defined
A soft pull lets a provider see your credit information without registering a hard inquiry, so it does not appear as a lender-initiated application inquiry. A hard inquiry is recorded when you formally apply and authorize a full credit check. Pre-qualification is a quick estimate from information you supply; pre-approval involves document review and a credit look. The words are used loosely across the industry, which is why the credit-pull method has to be asked about by name.
Two misconceptions cause most of the confusion. A soft pull mortgage step is not a loan commitment, and underwriting will still require a hard pull before closing. Also, the CFPB explains that mortgage inquiries made while shopping within a short window are generally treated as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. Check the current CFPB guidance for the exact window. A no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval is useful for the first look, and a compressed shopping window protects you at the second.
FHA rules shape what the first look should test. Under HUD Handbook 4000.1, a 580 score qualifies for 3.5% down, while scores of 500 to 579 generally require 10% down (verified October 2026). The 2026 one-unit FHA loan limit floor is $541,287 per HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-23, with higher limits in high-cost counties (verified October 2026). Upfront MIP is 1.75% of the base loan, and annual MIP is 0.55% for the common tier: base loans of $726,200 or less, terms over 15 years, and down payments under 5% (HUD ML 2023-05, verified October 2026).
1. FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak
FHA Mortgages by Duane Buziak is a broker-led FHA operation: Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, works as a broker, not a bank, and places borrowers with hundreds of wholesale lenders rather than one shelf. It is designed for FHA purchase buyers, streamline refinancers and borrowers needing low down payment options who want an answer before a hard inquiry.
What sets it apart on this list is the sequence. The NoTouch Credit Pull gives you a soft pull FHA pre-approval first, and then Duane compares pricing and guidelines across wholesale lenders. A borrower at a 590 score, for example, can have the lenders with workable overlays identified before any hard pull is triggered. That matters because FHA overlays on score, debt ratios and manual underwriting differ by company.
- NoTouch Credit Pull soft pull pre-approval shows approval odds and pricing with no hard inquiry.
- FHA purchase mortgages cover first-time buyers using the 3.5% down option at a 580 score or higher.
- FHA streamline refinance lets existing FHA borrowers lower their payment with reduced documentation.
- Low down payment FHA guidance explains score tiers, gift funds and MIP before you commit.
- FHA eligibility guidance flags property and income issues early.
- Dare to Compare: bring a competing written quote and Duane will price against it, including no-out-of-pocket closing options where the structure allows.
Setup runs through a secure online application, and the wholesale network is handled by Duane, so you deal with one person rather than juggling lenders. The limits are real. Soft pull pre-approval is estimate-grade, not a commitment, and a hard pull is still required at underwriting. Service is limited to VA, FL, TN, GA, DC, NC, SC and MD, and it will not suit someone who wants a branch down the street or a purely self-service app.
Pricing: starting price is on the website. No application fee is stated, and rates and costs vary by borrower with score, down payment, loan amount and property.
Ideal for: FHA borrowers who want no hard inquiry first and want options compared across wholesale lenders.
2. Movement Mortgage
Movement Mortgage is a national retail lender that handles FHA purchase and refinance loans through local loan officers and branches. It is built for borrowers who want a named person nearby to walk them through documents and timelines.
Its distinctive strength on this list is the community branch network. Where the other options are brokers, online platforms or regional companies, Movement puts an in-person loan officer in many local markets, which helps when a file has moving parts such as gift funds, a recent job change or a co-borrower to coordinate.
- FHA purchase loans for buyers using the low down payment program.
- FHA refinance options for existing homeowners.
- Local loan officers and branches for face-to-face guidance.
- An online application and document upload so routine steps do not require a visit.
Setup is a standard online application with document upload, usually run by the assigned loan officer. The main limitation is structural: as a single-company shelf, you get that company’s pricing and FHA overlays, and nobody is comparing alternatives for you. The pre-approval credit-pull method is not something this comparison could confirm, so ask the loan officer whether the first step is a soft or hard pull, and check licensed states for your location.
Pricing: rates vary by borrower, with score, down payment, loan size and property type moving the quote. See the website for current details.
Ideal for: borrowers who prefer face-to-face handling at a local branch.
3. NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a retail mortgage company offering FHA home loans through regional loan officers. It suits buyers who live inside its licensed footprint and want a company that works at a regional scale rather than a national call center.
Against the rest of this list, its distinguishing trait is the local-officer service approach: you are routed to a regional loan officer who knows your market, its appraisers and its closing timelines. That can smooth a purchase where local knowledge affects the contract schedule.
- FHA purchase loans for buyers using low down payment financing.
- FHA refinance options for current homeowners.
- Local loan officer support through the file.
- An online application so the paperwork can start from home.
Setup runs through an online application portal, with the loan officer as the day-to-day contact. The limits to weigh: it operates under one company’s guidelines, and its state footprint is limited, so first confirm that it is licensed where the property sits. Its credit-pull policy at pre-approval was not verified for this article, so ask whether a soft pull is available before you authorize anything. A borrower with a lower score or higher debt ratio may also want a second quote, since a single company’s overlays can be tighter than another’s.
Pricing: rates vary by borrower; see the website. Credit score, down payment and loan amount drive the quote.
Ideal for: buyers in its licensed footprint who want a regional retail lender.
4. Rocket Mortgage
Rocket Mortgage is a large national direct lender with a fully online FHA application and approval process. It is designed for borrowers who are comfortable handling a mortgage largely on their own through an account portal and a mobile app.
The standout trait is scale of digital process. Nothing else on this list matches an end-to-end online workflow, from application through document verification, which can reduce back-and-forth for a straightforward W-2 borrower with clean records.
- Online FHA application you can complete without a branch visit.
- Digital document upload and verification to cut paper handling.
- FHA purchase and refinance paths under one account.
- A mobile app for tracking status and tasks.
Setup is self-service through the online account, with support staff available as needed rather than a single dedicated officer in most cases; confirm how your file is staffed. The limitations: it is a single-lender shelf, so you see one company’s pricing and FHA overlays, and there is no broker-style comparison across other companies. This article could not confirm whether pre-approval begins with a soft or hard pull, so ask before you authorize a credit check. Borrowers who want a human to negotiate and compare may find the process less hands-on.
Pricing: rates vary by borrower; see the website. Score, down payment, loan size and property affect the quote.
Ideal for: borrowers who want a fully digital, self-service FHA process.
5. Sparrow Home Loans
Sparrow Home Loans is a smaller mortgage company that originates home loans, and it is included here as a comparison quote rather than a verified FHA specialist. Public detail on its FHA programs and credit-pull policy was limited when this article was prepared, so nothing beyond that is claimed here.
The reason a smaller company can be worth a quote is that service is often more personal and guideline flexibility sometimes differs from larger shops. What it distinctively offers should be confirmed from its own site or a call, since this article does not assert a specialty it could not verify.
- Home loan origination: confirm FHA purchase and refinance are offered in your state.
- Online contact and application: confirm how a pre-approval is started and what it requires.
- Questions to ask: whether pre-approval uses a soft pull, what minimum score it accepts for FHA, and what overlays apply.
Integrations and setup details were not publicly confirmed, so expect to learn them in the first conversation. The main limitation is the opposite of the broker approach: one company’s shelf and, for now, limited public detail on soft-pull pre-approval. If you need an answer without a hard inquiry first, make the soft-pull question your opening one, and treat any hesitation as information. Also confirm licensing for your property’s state before sharing documents.
Pricing: see the website. Expect score, down payment and loan amount to move any quote; ask for a written Loan Estimate to compare.
Ideal for: borrowers who want to compare a smaller mortgage company’s FHA terms, once confirmed.
6. CF Mortgage Corp
CF Mortgage Corp is a mortgage company that originates home loans for purchase and refinance. As with Sparrow, its FHA programs, states and credit-pull terms were not publicly confirmed for this comparison, so this entry is a prompt for questions, not a verdict.
A company of this kind can add value as an extra data point: a quote from a different shop shows whether your first offer is competitive. Whether it has a specialty or regional focus is something to confirm from its own materials before relying on it.
- Home loan origination: confirm FHA is on its menu.
- Purchase and refinance options: confirm whether an FHA streamline refinance is offered.
- Questions to ask: how it pulls credit at pre-approval, its FHA score floor, its licensed states and any overlays.
Setup and day-to-day handling were not verified, so ask who will manage your file and how documents are submitted. The limitations are that pricing and credit-pull terms are not publicly confirmed and that you are looking at a single company’s guidelines. If the answer to the soft pull question is a hard pull, weigh whether the quote is worth a possible extra inquiry, remembering the CFPB’s point that mortgage shopping within a short window is generally treated as one inquiry.
Pricing: see the website. Rates will depend on score, down payment, loan amount and property type.
Ideal for: borrowers who want another FHA quote to compare, once its services are confirmed.
A Worked FHA Payment Example With Real Numbers
This is an illustration, not a quote. Suppose a buyer in Henrico County, Virginia purchases a $350,000 home with 3.5% down at a 580 or higher score, using an assumed 6.00% rate on a 30-year term. Henrico’s tax rate is $0.85 per $100 of assessed value (henrico.us, verified October 2026).
- Down payment: $350,000 x 3.5% = $12,250.
- Base loan: $350,000 – $12,250 = $337,750.
- Upfront MIP at 1.75%: $337,750 x 0.0175 = $5,910.63, financed into the loan.
- Total loan amount: $337,750 + $5,910.63 = $343,660.63.
- Principal and interest at 6.00%, 30 years: about $2,060.41 per month.
- Annual MIP at 0.55% (approximated on the total loan): $343,660.63 x 0.0055 = $1,890.13 per year, about $157.51 per month.
- Property tax: $350,000 x $0.85 / 100 = $2,975 per year, about $247.92 per month.
Principal, interest, MIP and property tax total about $2,465.84 per month, before homeowners insurance. Real MIP is calculated on the average outstanding balance under HUD rules, so the actual figure is slightly lower. A soft pull can produce an estimate like this before any hard inquiry. The rate is a placeholder, and actual pricing depends on your score, lender and the day you lock.
Questions Borrowers Ask About Soft Pull FHA Pre-Approval
Who offers a soft pull FHA pre-approval?
Duane Buziak, a mortgage broker, offers NoTouch Credit Pull soft pull FHA pre-approval in VA, FL, TN, GA, DC, NC, SC and MD. For any other provider, ask directly whether pre-approval begins with a soft or hard pull.
Is a mortgage pre-approval without a hard pull a real approval?
It is an estimate-grade pre-approval, not a loan commitment. Underwriting still requires a hard pull and full documentation.
Does a soft pull affect my credit score?
A soft pull does not register as a hard inquiry, so it is not treated as an application for credit. A hard pull is recorded when you formally apply.
Does shopping several providers hurt my credit?
The CFPB notes that mortgage inquiries within a short shopping window are generally treated as one for scoring. Confirm the current window on its site.
What credit score do I need for FHA?
Under HUD Handbook 4000.1, 580 qualifies for 3.5% down and 500 to 579 generally needs 10% down. Individual companies may add overlays.
What is the 2026 FHA loan limit?
The one-unit floor is $541,287 per HUD ML 2025-23, with higher limits in high-cost counties (verified October 2026).
What does a broker add over a direct lender?
A broker can compare hundreds of wholesale lenders after a soft pull, while a direct lender offers its own single shelf.
Is Duane Buziak a lender?
No. Duane Buziak is a mortgage broker, and you can verify his license on NMLS Consumer Access.
Matching the First Step to Your Situation
If you want no hard inquiry first, Duane Buziak’s NoTouch Credit Pull is the clearest fit, since the soft pull comes before any multi-lender comparison. If you want a local branch, Movement Mortgage and NFM Lending are built around loan officers in your market, subject to their licensed footprints. If you want a fully digital process, Rocket Mortgage is the closest match. If you are collecting quotes, add Sparrow Home Loans or CF Mortgage Corp once you have confirmed their FHA terms and pull policies.
A good sequence is a soft pull first, then a short window of formal quotes, then one hard pull at the lender you choose. Duane Buziak’s Dare to Compare challenge makes that last comparison concrete: bring a written quote from anyone, and it gets priced against hundreds of wholesale lenders, with no-out-of-pocket closing options 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 our award-winning team can help you navigate the path to your new home with competitive rates and expert guidance. Reach Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, at 804-212-8663, or at 4860 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Verify his license anytime at NMLS Consumer Access.
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