Dan Freshley Home Loans

09/03/2026

5 mortgage programs. One is right for you.

Conventional · FHA · VA · USDA · Non-QM

Not sure which fits your situation? DM "LOAN" or call — I'll tell you in under 5 minutes.

25 years. Every program. MD, VA, DC + nationwide.

📞 (301) 332-9432 | danfreshley.com Dan Freshley | NMLS #196245 | Equal Housing Lender



Dan Freshley | NMLS #196245 | Equal Housing Lender | MD Licensed Mortgage Banker. Program eligibility varies. Contact for details.

09/03/2026

With rates bouncing around in the mid-6% range, ARMs are getting attention again. Here's an honest breakdown. 📊

FIXED RATE MORTGAGE:

✅ Rate stays the same for the life of the loan
✅ Predictable monthly payment — no surprises
✅ Best if: you're staying 7+ years and want stability ⚠️ Starts slightly higher than ARM initial rates

ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE (ARM):

✅ Lower initial rate — typically 5/1, 7/1, or 10/1 structures
✅ Can save meaningful money in the fixed period ✅ Best if: you plan to move or refinance before the rate adjusts
⚠️ Rate adjusts after the fixed period — can go up or down

In today's environment, ARMs are making more sense for specific buyers — particularly those who know they'll move within 5–7 years.

But "specific buyers" is the key phrase. ARMs are a tool, not a default.

I'll tell you honestly which one fits your situation — not which one I'd rather sell you.

👇 Comment "ARM" or "FIXED" below and I'll explain which profile fits each. Or visit danfreshley.com. There's no better time than the present.

📲 "Comment ARM or FIXED" — engagement driver + danfreshley.com



Dan Freshley | NMLS #196245 | Equal Housing Lender | MD Licensed Mortgage Banker. ARM products subject to rate adjustment after initial fixed period. Contact for full terms.

09/03/2026

Here's a thought — a little about why I do this. 🏡

25 years ago, I got into mortgage lending because I believed something simple: homeownership changes lives.

Not just the financial part — though that matters enormously. It's what a home represents.

Stability. Roots. A place that's yours. A foundation you pass to your kids.

I've sat at closing tables with first-generation homebuyers who were the first in their families to ever own property. I've helped veterans finally use the benefit they earned. I've refinanced families into lower payments that gave them breathing room they didn't have before.

None of that gets old.

Over 25 years, I've navigated every kind of market — low rates, high rates, recessions, booms, a pandemic, wars, inflation spikes. I've seen every product, every guideline change, every cycle.

What doesn't change: people need homes. And they deserve a lender who's genuinely on their side.

That's what I try to be every day.

I'm Dan Freshley. I'm based in Gaithersburg, MD. I serve clients across Maryland, Virginia, DC, and nationally. And I'd be honored to be part of your homeownership story.

📩 DM me or visit danfreshley.com anytime.

Have a great day, DMV. 🙏

— Dan | NMLS #196245

📲 "DM me" or "danfreshley.com" — warmest CTA of the week



Dan Freshley | NMLS #196245 | Equal Housing Lender | MD Licensed Mortgage Banker

09/03/2026

Military families — PCS season is here, and if you've received orders to the DMV area, this post is specifically for you.

The VA loan benefit was built for exactly this moment.

Here's what it gives you in a 6.69% rate environment that nobody else gets:

🏡 $0 down payment — none. In a market where median home prices are $440,600, eliminating the down payment changes everything.
🚫 No PMI — ever. That's $150–$300/month in savings compared to buyers with less than 20% down on conventional loans.
💰 Competitive rates — VA loan rates typically price 0.25–0.5% below conventional
📋 Flexible credit requirements — more accessible than many loan types
🔄 Reusable — you can use your VA benefit multiple times throughout your career

For PCS buyers specifically:

→ I understand military timelines — hard orders, BAH rates, and closing-before-school-starts pressure
→ I can work with buyers who are still en route or coordinating remotely
→ Rentals on base vs. buying off base — I'll help you run the comparison honestly
→ DMV knowledge is deep — Fort Belvoir, Quantico, Joint Base Andrews, Pentagon area — I know these markets

The DMV is one of the highest military concentration areas in the country. I've helped service members and their families navigate VA purchases more times than I can count.

👇 If you have orders to the DMV — or know someone who does — DM me or visit danfreshley.com.
There's no better time than the present.



Dan Freshley | NMLS #196245 | Equal Housing Lender | MD Licensed Mortgage Banker. VA loan eligibility requires Certificate of Eligibility and meeting program requirements. Contact for details.

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

Closing costs are the surprise bill that catches first-time buyers off guard — every time. Let's fix that right now. 💸

What are closing costs? Fees paid at closing — on top of your down payment — to finalize the purchase. They typically run 2%–5% of your loan amount.

On a $400,000 loan, that's $8,000–$20,000. Yes, really.

Here's what's typically in there:

📋 Loan origination fee — lender's charge for processing your loan
📋 Appraisal fee — verifying the home's market value (~$500–$800)
📋 Title insurance — protects against ownership disputes
📋 Escrow/attorney fees — handling the closing transaction
📋 Prepaid interest — interest from close date to first payment
📋 Property taxes & insurance — initial escrow deposit

Now here's what most buyers don't know:

✅ Closing costs are NEGOTIABLE — sellers can contribute (seller concessions)
✅ Some lenders offer "no-closing-cost" options — usually rolled into rate
✅ You can ask the lender for a Loan Estimate upfront — legally required within 3 business days of application
✅ Down payment assistance programs sometimes cover closing costs too

No surprises on my watch. I walk every client through these numbers before they're ever on the hook for them.

👇 Comment "COSTS" and I'll send you a breakdown for your loan scenario. Or visit danfreshley.com. There's no better time than the present.

📲 "Comment COSTS" or "danfreshley.com"



Dan Freshley | NMLS #196245 | Equal Housing Lender | MD Licensed Mortgage Banker. Closing cost ranges are approximate and vary by loan type, location, and transaction. Contact for a detailed Loan Estimate.

09/03/2026

Have you seen the headlines about using your 401(k) to cover a down payment?

Tapping it can feel like an easy call, especially if you’ve got a good chunk saved up. But pulling from retirement early can trigger penalties and set back the savings you'll want later on.

But you don’t necessarily have to raid your retirement to buy a home. You’ve got other options, like FHA loans, which let qualified buyers put down as little as 3.5%. And down payment assistance programs can help, too.

So, before you touch your 401(k), talk with a trusted financial advisor. They can help you find the option that fits your goals and your budget.



www.DanFreshley.com

09/02/2026

Realtors — August is one of the most underrated months in real estate. Here's why I tell every agent I work with to lean in hard right now. 🤝

Most buyers think summer is over after July 4th weekend. Most agents slow down. The ones who don't? They close some of their cleanest deals of the year.

Why August works for buyers right now:

✅ Less competition — many buyers are on vacation or waiting for fall
✅ Motivated sellers — listings that haven't sold all summer often take price cuts in August
✅ Seller concessions are more available than any other time this year
✅ Inventory is at its highest level since pre-pandemic
✅ Rate outlook is uncertain — September FOMC hike has 79% market probability

The buyers who get pre-approved and move in August avoid the fall rush — when competition picks back up, prices stabilize, and seller motivation declines.

Where I come in:

I'll have same-day pre-approvals ready for your buyers. I'll model seller concession scenarios. I'll run rate lock analysis ahead of the September FOMC meeting. And I'll be available when you call.

25 years. Every loan type. Zero dropped balls.

If your buyers have been sitting on the sidelines, August is the month to move them.

📞 (301) 332-9432 | danfreshley.com | NMLS #196245

There's no better time than the present.

📲 "(301) 332-9432" + "danfreshley.com" — direct Realtor contact



Dan Freshley | NMLS #196245 | Equal Housing Lender | MD Licensed Mortgage Banker

09/02/2026

You probably think as a general rule of thumb, brand new homes costs more than existing homes. But right now, that's backwards. This shows just how much.

A newly built home costs about $40k less than an existing one right now. That's because builders are cutting prices and piling on incentives to keep their inventory moving.

And that opens up a window for you to get brand new everything for less than you may expect.

DM me if you want a list of nearby new home communities offering deals like this right now to see if a new build may be in your budget after all.



www.DanFreshley.com

09/02/2026

One of the most common reasons buyers delay getting pre-approved: they think the documentation process is overwhelming. It's not. Let me show you what it actually takes. 📋

For a standard W-2 borrower, here's the full list:

✅ Last 2 pay stubs
✅ Last 2 years of W-2s
✅ Last 2 months of bank statements
✅ Government-issued ID
✅ Social Security number (for credit pull)

That's it in most cases. That's 30 minutes of gathering documents — not a filing cabinet.

Now here's what we DON'T need upfront:
❌ Years of tax returns (unless self-employed) ❌ Proof of every purchase you've made in the last 5 years
❌ Your entire financial history from birth
❌ A CPA letter for most W-2 employees
❌ An explanation for every bank deposit (only large, unusual ones)

For self-employed borrowers, it's slightly more — typically 2 years of personal and business tax returns or 12–24 months of bank statements for Non-QM options.

For investors: we may not need personal income docs at all with DSCR loan options.

The paperwork fear is real. The paperwork pile isn't nearly as big as most people imagine.

I've pre-approved buyers in a single afternoon with the right documents in hand. Most people have everything they need already on their phone or computer.

👇 Comment "DOCS" and I'll send you the exact list for your situation. Or visit danfreshley.com. There's no better time than the present.



Dan Freshley | NMLS #196245 | Equal Housing Lender | MD Licensed Mortgage Banker. Documentation requirements vary by loan program and borrower situation. Contact for a personalized checklist.