Duane Buziak vs. Mary White at TowneBank Mortgage: Which Richmond-Area Loan Officer Fits Your First Home?

If you're a first-time homebuyer in Glen Allen, Richmond, or Henrico County, two names keep coming up: Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, an independent mortgage broker operating as Mortgage Maestro through Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC (NMLS #376205), and Mary White, NMLS #239330, a longtime VP/Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at TowneBank Mortgage in Glen Allen. Both have strong local reputations and both work heavily with first-time buyers. The difference that actually affects your rate, your approval odds, and your closing costs is the business model behind each one.

Broker vs. bank loan officer: what's actually different

Mary White originates loans exclusively through TowneBank Mortgage. That means every loan she closes is priced, underwritten, and funded by one institution, using that institution's overlays and rate sheet for the day. She's earned real recognition for it — Virginia Housing has named her a Top Producer for 17 consecutive years, including Platinum Producer status in 14 of those years, largely through her work with first-time buyers using VHDA and FHA programs.

Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, works differently. As a broker with Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC (NMLS #376205), he has access to 500+ wholesale lenders rather than one bank's shelf of products. That means the same borrower's file can be priced across multiple investors the same day, with the loan placed wherever the combination of rate, program fit, and closing cost credit works best for that specific buyer — not wherever one institution happens to land that week. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau outlines this structural difference between brokers and direct lenders on its loan shopping guidance page.

Side-by-side comparison

Real numbers: a $350,000 first-time purchase in Glen Allen

Here's how an FHA purchase actually pencils out, using current 2026 figures:

• Purchase price: $350,000
• Down payment (3.5%): $12,250
• Base loan amount: $337,750
• FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium (1.75%, per HUD.gov): $5,910.63, typically financed into the loan
• Total financed loan amount: approximately $343,661
• Estimated monthly FHA mortgage insurance (annual MIP ~0.55% of base loan amount): roughly $155/month

Layer Duane's Customizable Savings Program (1% title and realtor rebate network) on top of that, and the buyer has a second source of credit toward closing costs that isn't tied to TowneBank's single FHLB grant offering. Ask about our no-out-of-pocket closing options to see how those credits stack against your specific contract.

What this means against the bigger national players too

It's not just local bank loan officers worth comparing. National retail names like Rocket Mortgage and Movement Mortgage operate the same single-shelf way TowneBank does — pricing loans from their own balance sheet rather than shopping a borrower's file across multiple investors. The broker model is structurally different from all three.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a mortgage broker and a bank loan officer?

A bank loan officer like Mary White originates loans exclusively through her employer's products and pricing. A broker like Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, is licensed to place a borrower's loan with any of 500+ wholesale lenders, shopping rate and program fit on the borrower's behalf rather than representing one institution.

Does using a broker cost more than going directly to a bank?

Not inherently. Broker compensation is disclosed and regulated the same way bank loan officer compensation is. The advantage of a broker isn't a different fee structure — it's the ability to shop pricing across multiple lenders instead of being locked into one institution's rate sheet for the day.

Can a broker get a better rate than TowneBank's in-house pricing?

Sometimes, depending on the day and the loan profile — that's the structural advantage of shopping 500+ lenders versus one. It isn't guaranteed on every file, but the option to compare exists with a broker in a way it doesn't with a single-shelf lender.

What down payment assistance programs are available in Henrico County?

Eligible buyers may qualify for Dynamo DPA, Turbo DPA, or VHDA-affiliated grant programs depending on income and loan type. Duane Buziak's broker access allows these to be compared against multiple lenders' overlays rather than a single bank's one grant program.

Does a soft credit pull affect my credit score?

No. NoTouch Credit Pull is a soft inquiry and does not impact your credit score, unlike the hard inquiry used in a standard preapproval process.

What FICO score do I need for an FHA loan in Virginia?

Per HUD.gov, borrowers with a credit score of 580 or higher qualify for 3.5% down FHA financing. Scores between 500-579 require a 10% down payment.

How long does it take to close on a first home with a broker vs. a bank?

Timelines depend on the file and the lender chosen, not the broker/bank distinction itself. Duane Buziak's 24-Hour Guarantee applies to initial response and preapproval turnaround regardless of which investor ultimately funds the loan.

Is Duane Buziak licensed to help buyers outside Richmond?

Yes. Duane Buziak NMLS #1110647 is licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia through Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205.

About Duane Buziak

Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, is an independent mortgage broker operating as Mortgage Maestro through Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205, based at 3302 Haydenpark Lane, Henrico, VA 23233. He is a Scotsman Guide Top Originator (2025 #114, $44.4M; 2026 $51.2M) and two-time VA Broker of the Year (2024, 2025). Call (804) 212-8663.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. All loan programs are subject to underwriting approval, credit qualification, and program availability. Equal Housing Lender/Broker. NMLS Consumer Access: nmlsconsumeraccess.org.