Brad Harris - Bank of the James Mortgage Loan Originator

05/07/2025

!! 🎉👏🏼🏠 A month ago, when Doug and Linnea reached out to me about a cool listing they’d spotted online, they already had clear, focused goals. The couple dreamed of a quiet spot in the country where they could spread out, raise their sweet kiddo, and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that was such an important part of their relationship. When I got the call, I knew I wanted to team up with my fantastic colleague, Shepherd Cronemeyer, Realtor , to make sure they had plenty of on-the-ground support — especially since they would be searching a little farther from town. And as luck would have it, with a little searching, we found the one! Their new digs adjoins the , and it’s right around the corner from the river, hiking, and amazing views at . I’m thrilled for them as they kick off a new chapter together, and excited to see how they make it theirs. Congratulations, Doug and Linnea! Hope this is the start of something truly special. 🙂







P.S. Thanks, as always, to my awesome brokerage. MKB, REALTORS - you help me do what I do, and connect me to great colleagues in an environment of collaboration and teamwork. That’s the dream! Thanks also to Mac Westland, Matysan Kestler, Brad Harris - Bank of the James Mortgage Loan Originator, and Paradigm Title for an all-around smooth process. I’m so grateful we could make this happen for these great clients! Thanks also to Ashley Wilson Fellers for the great shots! 📸

04/22/2025

11/21/2024

Should you negotiate for seller credits or for a price drop????

Would you rather have $10,000.00 less on Sales Price or use a $10,000.00 Seller Credit on a Permanent Rate Buy Down or $10,000.00 for a Temporary Rate Buy Down?

Scenario on $300,000 purchase price w/ a 20% down payment to see which is best for you:

A. Purchase Price $300,000 but you negotiated down to $290,000.00 and saved $10k on sales price and got no seller concessions. Buyer does a 20% down payment.
Monthly Payment est. w/ taxes and insurance $1852

B. Purchase price $300,000 but you negotiated $10000.00 in seller credits and buyer does a permanent rate buy down – Payment is $1826

C. Purchase Price $300,000 but you negotiated $10000.00 in seller credits and buyer does a 3/2/1 Temporary Buy Down
a. Payment is: In Year 1 $1454
In Year 2 $1596
In Year 3 $1748
In Year 4 and on $1905

**Payments are for example only on a 30 year fixed rate residential home loan at example rate of 6.99% with estimated taxes and insurance. Not a commitment to lend, restrictions & conditions apply.

11/12/2024

10/22/2024

In anticipation of the FHFA release of the 2025 loan limits, I am able to offer the maximum conforming loan amount to $802,650 effective immediately.

**Non-Conforming Loans that I offer are now over $802,650 loan amounts.

06/11/2024

Mortgage Acronyms, Explained
Does your mortgage lender throw out Acronyms like VOM, CD, & DTI and you have no idea what they are saying. Get Educated:

VOM – Verification of Mortgage – Used to verify information not on a credit report about someone’s existing mortgage debt.

CD – Closing Disclosure – document received minimum 3 biz days b4 closing (must be signed) to ensure a lender hasn’t changed loan terms on a borrower prior to closing.

DTI – Debt To Income – Ratio of a borrowers monthly liabilities from credit report, child support, alimony, and new house payment divided by gross monthly income. Too high and they don’t qualify.

VOE – Verification of Employment – Document lender gets from borrower’s employer to validate the correct income to be used for qualifying a borrower. Often called a W(Written)VOE.

VVOE- Verbal Verification of Employment – Done usually right before closing by a phone, email, or automated service dependent on the employer to validate a borrower is still working prior to closing on their house.

PITIA – Principal Interest Taxes Home Insurance & Association fees – The full monthly liability associated w/ a house payment.

LE – Loan Estimate – Document given to borrower in the initial mortgage disclosure package for an estimate of funds needed for closing, the closing costs, the locked in or floated interest rate, payment break down. This document replaced the Good Faith Estimate in 2015.

SSR’s – Submission Summary Report – Report card from Fannie and Freddie for an appraiser’s appraisal to score the report for potential over evaluation.

01/19/2024

Introducing new lower down payment on Jumbo (Non/Conforming Loans)
-Loan Amounts $766,550.00 and higher

• 10.01% Minimum Down Payment for loan amounts up to $2,000,000.00
o No PMI
o Primary Residence
o Minimum fico of 680

01/12/2024

I want to thank all the kind people that refer clients to me and allow me to help w/ their Home Buying and Refinance needs. Any state in the country I can help. I received the below from an Account Executive for one of the Investors I work with through Bank of the James Mortgage for 2023:

"Also wanted to give a special shout out to Brad Harris. He personally won SEVERAL awards based on his production":
• Correspondent Top 25 Loan Officer
• Credit Unions and Banks Top 10 Loan Officer
• Credit Unions and Banks Top Purchase Loan Officer
• Top 100 Loan Officer
• Top Purchase Loan Officer
• Credit Unions and Banks Top 5 Partner
• Top 100 Mortgage Broker
• Top Mortgage Broker in VA
• Top Purchase Mortgage Broker
• Top Refinance Mortgage Broker