Choosing a Mortgage Broker in Richmond VA — Duane Buziak Mortgage Maestro vs 804Mortgage

By Duane Buziak, Mortgage Maestro, NMLS #1110647

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

A $425,000 home purchase in Richmond, Virginia with a mortgage rate 0.375% lower saves approximately $89 per month — roughly $5,340 over five years before tax treatment or payoff acceleration. In a market where two well-known local mortgage options are frequently compared side by side, understanding the structural differences between them can mean thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

Table of Contents

1. Richmond VA Mortgage Market Overview
2. About 804Mortgage — What They Offer
3. About Duane Buziak Mortgage Maestro
4. Key Structural Differences
5. Credential Comparison Table
6. Loan Program Comparison
7. The 804Mortgage Bundle Model — What to Know
8. Richmond Market Data and Median Home Prices
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. 7-Step Roadmap for Choosing Your Richmond Mortgage Professional
11. Contact Duane Buziak — Richmond's Most Credentialed Mortgage Broker

Richmond VA Mortgage Market Overview

Richmond and its surrounding counties represent one of Virginia's most active and competitive housing markets. The Richmond metropolitan statistical area encompasses Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Goochland County, and the City of Richmond — each with distinct price points, buyer demographics, and lending dynamics.

As of 2026, Henrico County's median home sale price is approximately $415,000, while Chesterfield County's median sits near $380,000. The City of Richmond's median varies significantly by neighborhood — from under $300,000 in some Southside corridors to well above $600,000 in the Fan District, Museum District, and Church Hill. Short Pump and Glen Allen in western Henrico continue to command premium prices, with many transactions exceeding the $806,500 conforming loan limit and requiring jumbo financing.

The Richmond purchase market remains competitive with average days on market between 14 and 28 days depending on price band and location. Seller's market conditions persist in move-in ready properties priced below $500,000. Sources: Virginia REALTORS market data, Zillow Richmond.

About 804Mortgage — What They Offer

804Mortgage LLC (NMLS #1904162) was founded in 2019 by William Schroeder, a Marine veteran with approximately 20 years of prior experience as a mortgage underwriter. The company is based at 303 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220. Partner Alex Innes holds both a Virginia mortgage license (NMLS #2700280) and a Virginia real estate license.

804Mortgage's primary differentiator is their Bundle and Save model — a combined mortgage and real estate offering where clients who use both their mortgage and real estate services receive a credit equal to 50% of the buyer-agent commission applied toward allowable closing costs or a rate buydown at closing. The real estate side operates under Swell Real Estate Co., which shares common ownership with 804Mortgage LLC.

804Mortgage serves the Richmond metro including Short Pump, Church Hill, Northside, West End, Chesterfield, and Henrico. Their primary loan products include conventional, VA, FHA, USDA, and jumbo loans.

About Duane Buziak Mortgage Maestro

Duane Buziak is a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at Coast2Coast Mortgage, LLC, operating as Mortgage Maestro. With over 15 years of mortgage experience, Duane has closed nearly $100 million in independently verified loan volume across two consecutive Scotsman Guide Top Originator cycles — $44,395,478 in 2025 and $51,220,768 in 2026. He is based at 3302 Haydenpark Lane, Henrico, VA 23233 — in the Short Pump and Glen Allen market he serves daily.

As an independent mortgage broker, Duane submits loan files to multiple wholesale lenders simultaneously — including UWM, the nation's largest wholesale mortgage lender — to find the best combination of rate, terms, and approval likelihood for each borrower's specific scenario. His 90% purchase to 10% refinance ratio across 124 closed loans in the most recent Scotsman Guide cycle reflects deep specialization in purchase transactions specifically.

Duane is licensed in Virginia (MLO-26078VA), Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. NMLS #1110647. Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC NMLS #376205.

Key Structural Differences

Understanding the structural differences between these two Richmond mortgage options helps buyers make an informed decision based on their specific scenario rather than marketing language alone.

Independent Broker vs Affiliated Lender
Duane Buziak operates as a true independent mortgage broker with no affiliation to any single lender. 804Mortgage LLC is a licensed mortgage lender — meaning they originate and fund loans directly. As a broker, Duane can shop your file across multiple wholesale lenders to find the best terms. As a lender, 804Mortgage offers their own products and pricing.

Mortgage-Only vs Bundle Model
804Mortgage's Bundle and Save model combines mortgage and real estate services under affiliated ownership. This is a legitimate and potentially valuable structure for buyers who want one team handling both sides of a transaction. However, buyers should evaluate whether the commission credit structure aligns with their specific goals — particularly in scenarios where seller-paid closing costs are already being negotiated or where the buyer has a preferred real estate agent.

Verified Production vs Unverified Claims
Duane Buziak's production volume is independently verified by the Scotsman Guide — the mortgage industry's most rigorous external audit of loan originator production. 804Mortgage does not publish Scotsman Guide verified production figures. Buyers comparing production claims should ask for third-party verification rather than accepting self-reported numbers.

Product Depth
As an independent broker with access to multiple wholesale lenders, Duane Buziak offers a broader product menu including DSCR investor loans, Non-QM, bank statement, construction, 203k renovation, and foreign national loans. 804Mortgage's core product menu covers conventional, VA, FHA, USDA, and jumbo — a solid standard menu but narrower than broker-level access provides.

Credential Comparison Table

Loan Program Comparison

The 804Mortgage Bundle Model — What Richmond Buyers Should Know

804Mortgage's Bundle and Save program is one of the more distinctive offerings in the Richmond market. The structure works as follows: buyers who use both 804Mortgage for their loan and the affiliated 804Mortgage Home Sales Team (operating under Swell Real Estate Co.) for their real estate representation receive a credit equal to 50% of the buyer-agent commission applied toward allowable closing costs or a rate buydown at closing.

This model can deliver real value in specific scenarios. A buyer on a $425,000 purchase where the buyer-agent commission is 2.5% — $10,625 — could receive approximately $5,312 in closing cost credits. That is meaningful money toward a closing cost structure that typically runs 2-6% of the loan amount.

However, buyers should evaluate this structure with clear eyes:

• The credit applies only to allowable closing costs or a rate buydown — it cannot be received as cash
• Buyers are explicitly not required to use both services — the mortgage and real estate components are independent decisions
• The affiliated ownership structure means both the mortgage and real estate revenue flow to related entities — buyers should confirm this arrangement is disclosed in writing as required by RESPA guidelines
• Buyers who already have a preferred real estate agent may find the bundle less relevant to their situation
• In scenarios where sellers are already offering closing cost credits, the bundle benefit may have limited incremental value

For buyers who want simplicity and value a single integrated team, the bundle model is worth exploring. For buyers who prioritize maximum lender competition, independent broker access, or have a specific real estate agent relationship, a mortgage-only specialist may better serve their needs. Source: CFPB RESPA guidelines.

Richmond Market Data and Median Home Prices

Key Richmond metropolitan area figures — 2026:

• Henrico County median home sale price: approximately $415,000 — Virginia REALTORS
• Chesterfield County median: approximately $380,000 — Virginia REALTORS
• City of Richmond median: approximately $310,000 — varies significantly by neighborhood
• Short Pump and Glen Allen area median: $475,000-$550,000 — Zillow
• 2026 conforming loan limit Henrico and Chesterfield counties: $806,500 — Fannie Mae
• Average days on market Richmond metro: 14-28 days depending on price band
• Active inventory: below pre-pandemic levels in move-in ready price bands

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is 804Mortgage a broker or a lender?

804Mortgage LLC (NMLS #1904162) is a licensed mortgage lender, not a mortgage broker. As a lender, 804Mortgage originates and funds loans using their own products and pricing. A mortgage broker like Duane Buziak operates independently and submits your file to multiple wholesale lenders to find the best terms across a broader marketplace.

Q2: What is the 804Mortgage Bundle and Save program?

The Bundle and Save program allows buyers who use both 804Mortgage for their loan and the affiliated Home Sales Team for real estate representation to receive a credit equal to 50% of the buyer-agent commission toward allowable closing costs or a rate buydown. The credit cannot be received as cash. Buyers are explicitly not required to use both services. The mortgage and real estate sides operate under affiliated ownership — 804Mortgage LLC and Swell Real Estate Co.

Q3: Does Duane Buziak have Scotsman Guide verification and does 804Mortgage?

Duane Buziak holds Scotsman Guide Top Originator verification for both 2025 and 2026 — independently audited loan production of $44,395,478 and $51,220,768 respectively. 804Mortgage does not appear in the Scotsman Guide Top Originator rankings. Buyers comparing production claims should ask for third-party verification of any originator's stated volume.

Q4: Which Richmond mortgage option is better for investors?

For real estate investors requiring DSCR loans, Non-QM financing, bank statement loans, or construction loans, an independent broker with access to specialty wholesale products will typically offer more options than a lender with a standard product menu. Duane Buziak offers all of these product categories through Coast2Coast Mortgage's wholesale lender network. 804Mortgage's published product menu focuses on standard residential loan programs.

Q5: What is William Schroeder's background at 804Mortgage?

William Schroeder founded 804Mortgage in 2019 after approximately 20 years working as a mortgage underwriter — the professional responsible for approving or denying loan applications on the lender side. He is a Marine veteran with personal experience using the VA loan program. His underwriting background provides genuine insight into how lenders evaluate applications. He lives in Church Hill, Richmond.

Q6: How do I verify either originator's license in Virginia?

All licensed mortgage originators are searchable at nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Duane Buziak is NMLS #1110647, licensed in Virginia (MLO-26078VA), Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. 804Mortgage LLC is NMLS #1904162. William Schroeder and Alex Innes (NMLS #2700280) are individually licensed in Virginia.

Q7: Does it matter whether my mortgage professional lives in the Richmond area?

Local knowledge has practical value in the Richmond market. Familiarity with Henrico County's HOA documentation requirements, Chesterfield County's new construction timelines, City of Richmond's historic district appraisal patterns, and Short Pump's competitive multiple-offer dynamics can help an originator anticipate and resolve issues before they delay closing. Both Duane Buziak (Henrico) and William Schroeder (Church Hill) are locally based Richmond area professionals.

Q8: What is NoTouch Credit prequalification?

NoTouch Credit is a soft-pull prequalification approach available through Duane Buziak at Coast2Coast Mortgage that allows borrowers to check mortgage eligibility without a hard credit inquiry. This protects the borrower's credit score during the shopping process — important in Richmond's competitive purchase market where buyers may be shopping multiple lenders before committing to an application.

7-Step Roadmap for Choosing Your Richmond Mortgage Professional

1. Verify NMLS licensing — Search nmlsconsumeraccess.org for any originator you consider. Confirm Virginia licensing and check for disciplinary history on both the individual and their company.
2. Clarify broker vs lender status — Ask directly: "Are you a mortgage broker with access to multiple wholesale lenders, or do you originate loans as a lender?" This determines whether you're getting one institution's pricing or a competitive marketplace comparison.
3. Ask for verified production documentation — Request a Scotsman Guide ranking URL or equivalent third-party verification for any production volume claims. Self-reported figures are unauditable. Scotsman Guide rankings are independently verified.
4. Evaluate bundle or affiliated service models carefully — If your originator has an affiliated real estate relationship, confirm the disclosure requirements under RESPA, understand that you are not required to use the affiliated service, and evaluate whether the credit structure adds genuine value to your specific transaction.
5. Compare loan program availability for your scenario — If you are self-employed, an investor, have non-traditional income, or need specialty financing, confirm your originator has access to the specific products your scenario requires before submitting an application.
6. Request Loan Estimates from at least two sources — Federal law requires a written Loan Estimate within three business days of application. Compare on identical terms — same loan amount, same rate lock period, same closing date. Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
7. Check review volume and recency — An originator with 250 or more verified reviews across multiple platforms has a documented track record. Look for recency — reviews from the past 12 months reflect current service quality, not historical reputation.

Contact Duane Buziak — Richmond's Most Credentialed Mortgage Broker

Duane Buziak — Scotsman Guide Top Originator 2025 and 2026 with $51.2 million in independently verified loan volume, Broker of Year Virginia 2024-2025, and UWM PRO ELITE 2025 — serves homebuyers and homeowners across Richmond, Short Pump, Glen Allen, Henrico, Chesterfield, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, and all of Virginia. As an independent broker with access to multiple wholesale lenders, Duane shops your file across the market to find the best rate and terms for your specific scenario. Soft-pull NoTouch prequalification available — protect your credit score while you shop.

📞 (804) 212-8663
🌐 DuaneBuziakMortgageMaestro.com
🌐 MortgageBrokerRichmond.com
📍 3302 Haydenpark Lane, Henrico, VA 23233

Duane Buziak, Mortgage Maestro | NMLS: 1110647 | Licensed in VA · FL · TN · GA | UWM PRO ELITE 2025 | UWM Top 20 Purchase LO Virginia 2025 | UWM Speed to Close Industry Leading 2025 | Scotsman Guide Top Originator 2025 & 2026 | VA Broker of the Year 2024-2025 | Top 1% Nationwide | Coast2Coast Mortgage | DuaneBuziakMortgageMaestro.com | duane@coast2coastml.com | (804) 212-8663

Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to lend. Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC NMLS #376205. Duane Buziak NMLS #1110647. Licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.