--- title: | Mortgage Tips description: Mortgage Tips | Matthew Borgerson's top tips and recommendations for home buyers in the DC, Virginia and Maryland areas! --- [Skip to content](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/tag/mortgage-tips#main-content) [![Matt-Borgerson-Team-Harpoon-1](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Matt-Borgerson-Team-Harpoon-1.png?width=400&height=162&name=Matt-Borgerson-Team-Harpoon-1.png)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/) - Financing Show submenu for Financing - [Conventional Home Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/conventional-home-loans) - [Adjustable Rate Mortgages](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/adjustable-rate-mortgages) - [Jumbo Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/jumbo-loan-programs) - [Refinancing](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/mortgage-refinancing-programs) - [Buyer Q&A Sessions](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/homebuyer-seminars) - [Resources](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog) - Locations Show submenu for Locations - [Virginia](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/virginia) - [Washington, D.C.](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/washington-dc) - [Maryland](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/maryland) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Financing Show submenu for Financing - [Conventional Home Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/conventional-home-loans) - [Adjustable Rate Mortgages](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/adjustable-rate-mortgages) - [Jumbo Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/jumbo-loan-programs) - [Refinancing](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/mortgage-refinancing-programs) - [Buyer Q&A Sessions](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/homebuyer-seminars) - [Resources](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog) - Locations Show submenu for Locations - [Virginia](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/virginia) - [Washington, D.C.](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/washington-dc) - [Maryland](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/maryland) - [Contact us](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/#contact) [Contact us](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/#contact) # Your Guide to All Things Mortgage! Get my top tips on mortgages, refinancing, neighborhood guides and more in the DC, Virginia and Maryland markets. [![what a mortgage pre approval is and isn't for](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/specifications%20of%20a%20mortgage%20pre%20approval.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/what-pre-qualification-can-and-cannot-tell-you) ## [What a Mortgage Pre-Qualification Can and Can’t Tell You](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/what-pre-qualification-can-and-cannot-tell-you) Sep 4, 2026, 9:30:00 AM Mortgage pre-qualification is often treated like a green light, but that’s not really what it’s desi... [![what documents are required for mortgage pre qualification](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/documents%20needed%20for%20mortgage%20pre%20qualification.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/mortgage-pre-qualification-documents) ## [Documents Needed for Mortgage Pre-Qualification & Approval](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/mortgage-pre-qualification-documents) Sep 2, 2026, 8:30:00 AM One thing that often surprises homebuyers is how the document side of the mortgage process works. So... [![mortgage prequalification steps](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/mortgage%20pre%20qualification%20process%20explained.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/mortgage-pre-qualification-process) ## [Mortgage Pre-Qualification Process Explained](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/mortgage-pre-qualification-process) Aug 31, 2026, 5:29:12 AM Homebuyers often assume that being pre-qualified means they are fully approved for a loan. In realit... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/vhda%20loans%20virginia.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/vhda-first-time-buyers) ## [How VHDA Helps First-Time Homebuyers in Virginia (2026)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/vhda-first-time-buyers) Feb 10, 2026, 11:15:01 AM Buying a first home in Virginia can feel out of reach, especially with high prices and rising intere... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/2026%20virginia%20down%20payment%20assistance.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/down-payment-assistance-virginia-2026) ## [Down Payment Assistance Programs for Virginia Homebuyers in 2026](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/down-payment-assistance-virginia-2026) Feb 8, 2026, 12:29:10 PM Buying a home in Virginia has become more challenging as prices and living costs continue to rise. F... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/down%20payment%20assistance%20options%20in%20maryland.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/down-payment-assistance-maryland) ## [Down Payment Assistance in Maryland: 2025 Homebuyer’s Guide](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/down-payment-assistance-maryland) May 16, 2025, 12:51:07 PM If you’re hoping to buy your first home in Maryland, chances are the down payment is one of the bigg... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/first%20time%20home%20buyer%20programs%20maryland.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/first-time-homebuyer-programs-maryland) ## [4 First Time Homebuyer Programs in Maryland: Do You Qualify?](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/first-time-homebuyer-programs-maryland) May 9, 2025, 8:15:00 AM Buying your first home is a big milestone. But in Maryland, it often comes with big challenges. Betw... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/role%20of%20a%20loan%20officer%20explained.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/what-does-a-loan-officer-do) ## [What Does a Loan Officer Do? What Homebuyers Should Know](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/what-does-a-loan-officer-do) May 8, 2025, 10:47:44 AM Let’s face it: trying to navigate the world of home loans, grants, and refinancing on your own can f... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/refinancing%20loans%20in%20the%20dmv.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/adjustable-rate-mortgages-explained) ## [Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Explained: Pros, Risks & When to Choose One](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/adjustable-rate-mortgages-explained) Mar 26, 2025, 9:00:00 AM An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) offers an initial period of lower interest rates before adjusting ... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/refinancing%20options.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/dmv-refinancing-loans) ## [Understanding Loan Options for Refinancing in the DC, MD, VA Areas](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/dmv-refinancing-loans) Mar 2, 2025, 10:50:46 AM Are you sitting on your couch, wondering if you should leverage that equity in your home or maybe ju... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/47.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/refinancing-costs-explained) ## [Assessing Refinancing Costs: Is It Worth It?](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/refinancing-costs-explained) Feb 6, 2025, 10:00:00 AM Markets change and so do interest rates, so before you make a costly decision, it’s important to ask... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/refinancing%20your%20home.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/when-should-you-refinance) ## [When to Refinance Your Mortgage in 2025](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/when-should-you-refinance) Feb 4, 2025, 12:25:38 PM Evaluating Interest Rate Trends in DC, MD, and VA Figuring out the world of mortgage refinancing in ... [![](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hubfs/refinancing%20definition.jpg)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/what-is-refinancing) ## [What is Refinancing? And is it Right for You?](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog/what-is-refinancing) Jan 20, 2025, 11:12:09 AM Refinancing is the process of replacing your existing mortgage with a new one, often with more favor... [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/people/Matthew-Borgerson-with-First-Home-Mortgage/100092881302157/) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-borgerson-35210635/) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/borgagehomeloans/) **Financing** [Conventional Home Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/conventional-home-loans) [Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs)](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/adjustable-rate-mortgages) [Jumbo Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/jumbo-loan-programs) [Refinancing](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/mortgage-refinancing-programs) **Grants and Programs:** [FHA Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/fha-loans-mortgage-programs) [VA Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/va-loans) [USDA/Rural Housing](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/usda-rural-housing-loans) [Down Payment Assistance](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/mortgage-downpayment-assistance-programs)     **Washington DC:** [DC Open Doors](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/dc-open-doors-program) [First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/dc-first-time-homebuyer-tax-credit) [Good Neighbor Next Door](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/good-neighbor-next-door-mortgages) **Virginia:** [Virginia First Time Homebuyer](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/virginia-first-time-homebuyer-savings-plan) [VHDA Loans](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/vhda-loans) **Maryland:** [Maryland Mortgage Program](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/maryland-mortgage-program) [Smartbuy 3.0](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/maryland-smartbuy-30) **Resources:** [Mortgage Knowledge Hub](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/blog) [Homebuyer Q&A Sessions](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/homebuyer-seminars) **Locations Served:** [DC](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/washington-dc) [Virginia](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/virginia) [Maryland](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/locations/maryland) --- [![Matt-Borgerson-Team-Harpoon-1](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Matt-Borgerson-Team-Harpoon-1.png?width=250&height=101&name=Matt-Borgerson-Team-Harpoon-1.png "Matt-Borgerson-Team-Harpoon-1")](https://www.borgersonhomeloans.com/) [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.swbcmortgage.com/privacy-policy) | [Privacy Disclosure to California Residents](https://www.swbcmortgage.com/ccpa-policy) | [NMLS CONSUMER ACCESS](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/TuringTestPage.aspx?ReturnUrl=/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/9741) | [DISCLOSURES](https://swbcmortgage.com/mortgage-licenses-disclosures) | [SWBC Mortgage Corporation](https://swbcmortgage.com/) 4500 East West Highway, Office 750 Bethesda, MD 20814 Matt Borgerson, NMLS # 1213242. SWBC Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #9741, check licensing at www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. AZ BK #0950067; Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act #4130449; Licensed by the N.J. Dept. of Banking and Insurance. Massachusetts Mortgage Lender & Mortgage Broker License MC9741. Not all originators are licensed in all states where SWBC Mortgage operates. Loans subject to credit and property approval, restrictions and conditions may apply. Not all loan programs or loan amounts available in all areas. Programs and guidelines subject to change without notice. Refinancing an existing loan may result in higher total finance charges over the life of the loan. Debt consolidation does not pay off debt and may result in a higher long-term expense. Corporate office: 9311 San Pedro Ave., Ste. 100, San Antonio, TX 78216. © 2026 SWBC. 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