Mortgage Recast vs Refinance — 7 Strategies to Choose the Right Path and Save Real Money

When a lump sum lands in your hands, choosing between a mortgage recast and a refinance can mean the difference between thousands saved or thousands left on the table. This guide by Duane Buziak (NMLS #1110647) delivers seven concrete decision strategies, real cost comparisons, and a Total Cost of Homeownership worksheet anchored to Henrico County, Virginia property tax rates — so you act with precision, not guesswork.

7 Best Mortgage Options for First-Time Homebuyers — Real Numbers, Real Total Costs

Choosing the right mortgage program as a first-time homebuyer can mean the difference of tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. This guide evaluates seven mortgage options — including FHA, VA, conventional, and non-QM programs — with real total cost worksheets, credit score thresholds, and comparison tables so you can match your exact financial profile to the right path to homeownership.