Guide to VHDA Mortgages for First-Time Homebuyers

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Buying a home in Virginia is an exciting process that you have probably been looking forward to for years. If you are a first-time homebuyer, the process of choosing a mortgage lender, deciding on a mortgage type, and applying for a home loan may seem intimidating.

At F&M Bank and F&M Mortgage, we have been helping Virginians achieve their dreams of homeownership since 1908. It is our goal to make the home buying process as simple as possible so that you can focus on the fun part – moving into your new home.

F&M Mortgage is proud to offer Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) loans to the members of our community. These specialty home loans are designed to decrease some of the financial barriers that keep many Virginians from achieving their dreams. In this article we will outline the different types of VHDA loans, their specific loan requirements, and the mortgage loan application process. Let’s find out if a Virginia Housing loan is right for you!

Relator showing house to couple

What is a VHDA loan?

The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) is a not for profit, public mortgage finance company. Founded in 1972 to help Virginians afford quality housing, the program operates using no state taxpayer money. The VHDA relies on the private purchase of Virginia Housing Development Authority bonds to fund its loan and grant programs. The VHDA focuses on providing loans to first-time homebuyers and developers who build quality rental housing. Virginia Housing is currently celebrating their 50th anniversary and has helped over 240,000 Virginia families afford homes.

How does a VHDA home loan work?

While VHDA loans are targeted for first-time homebuyers, some loans are appropriate for repeat homebuyers as well. In order to help the most people with the most need, VHDA eligibility includes an upper limit on both the borrower’s income and the home price. VHDA loans are designed for borrowers with low to moderate incomes. Virginia Housing loans are 30-year fixed-rate loans with a low 3 percent down payment requirement. The VHDA also offers grants to help Virginians afford their down payments and closing costs.

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What are the benefits of getting a VHDA home loan?

If buying a home seems financially out of reach, consider a VHDA home loan. F&M Mortgage offers VHDA loans because we support Virginia Housing’s proven track record of helping our community afford homeownership. Some benefits of a VHDA home loan include:

  • Predictable payments with a 30-year fixed interest rate
  • Small down payments
  • Free homebuyer classes
  • Pre-approval availability
  • Low credit score requirement

Who is eligible for a Virginia Housing loan?

VHDA loans are only available for borrowers who intend to use the home as their primary residence. If you are planning to buy a home as an investment property, second home, use the house for a business, or sublet part of the space, you will not qualify for a VHDA loan.

Borrowers cannot have a net worth greater than 50 percent of the intended home purchase price. Your net worth calculation does not include retirement savings, life insurance plans, or the value of your belongings. Any cash that will be used to help fund your down payment will not be calculated into your net worth.

Income limits as well as home price limits for VHDA loans vary by region across the state. A table outlining these limits can be found on the Virginia Housing website. The maximum VHDA loan limit for a home in the Charlottesville area is $375,000. The two-person maximum gross household income for that area is $90,000. Limits vary by county so check with your lender for more specific amounts.

How do I apply for a VHDA loan?

Only VHDA approved lenders can offer Virginia Housing loans to the community. Approved lenders must comply with strict policies and requirements in order to qualify. Staff must be qualified and experienced with VHDA loans, adhere to Virginia’s fair housing policy, and demonstrate a proven track record of performance. F&M Bank is proud to be an approved VHDA lender.

To apply for a VHDA loan, stop by any F&M Bank location or apply online. To apply online:

The VHDA requires all applicants to complete their homebuyer education class before the loan can be approved. The class can be taken online or in a local classroom. This free class is available to anyone that wishes to learn more about the homebuying process and VHDA loans, even if you are not ready to apply for a loan.

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What are the different types of VHDA home loans?

 Virginia Housing Conventional

The Virginia Housing Conventional loan is available to both first-time and repeat homebuyers. Borrowers may use the loan to make a home purchase or fund a limited cash-out refinance. The Virginia Housing Conventional loan is a 30-year fixed-rate loan offering the lowest conventional mortgage insurance rates possible. Eligibility includes a minimum credit score of 640, 3 percent down payment, and maximum 45 percent debt-to-income ratio.

Virginia Housing Conventional – No Mortgage Insurance (NMI)

For borrowers with a higher credit score, the VHDA offers their conventional loan with no mortgage insurance. To qualify for the Virginia Housing Conventional – NMI loan borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 660.

Virginia Housing Plus Second Mortgage

If you need help funding your down payment and closing costs, you may consider a Virginia Housing Plus Second Mortgage loan. This option is technically two separate loans – one to pay for your new house and a second mortgage to cover your down payment. Both mortgages are 30-year fixed-rate loans with no prepayment penalties.

Only available to first-time homebuyers, this loan can cover your entire down payment amount as well as your home. At closing, borrowers must have 1 percent of the home purchase price available as cash. Borrowers with a higher credit score (680 or above) can also finance part of their closing costs in the second mortgage. The maximum second mortgage amount is 3 to 5 percent of the home purchase price.

Women holding Check

Virginia Housing Loan Combo

If you are looking to get the most out of a VHDA loan, ask your F&M Mortgage Lenders if you qualify for a loan combo. The Virginia Housing Loan Combo bundles your VHDA loan with a down payment assistance grant and mortgage credit certificate (MCC) homebuyer tax credit.

Apply Today for a Virginia Housing Mortgage

Ready to get pre-approved for a VHDA loan? F&M Bank is an approved VHDA lender. Call us today for help choosing the right Virginia Housing loan. You can also start our online mortgage application or apply in person at your nearest branch.

F&M Mortgage, a division of F&M Bank, has been helping Virginians become homeowners in the Shenandoah Valley for more than a century. Don’t let the mortgage process overwhelm you. Our Mortgage Advisors pride themselves on offering friendly, personalized service, with the kind of local expertise you only find in people who live and work in your community. With VDHA pre approval you can start shopping for the house of your dreams in northern Virginia.

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F&M Bank – Farmers & Merchants Bank Names New Chief of Development and New Chief Credit Officer

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F&M Bank – Farmers & Merchants Bank Names New Chief of Development and New Chief Credit Officer

For Immediate Release | Timberville, VA. August 24, 2022 – F&M Bank, a subsidiary of F&M Bank Corp., is pleased to announce the promotion of Paul Eberly to Chief Development Officer and Jason Withers to Chief Credit Officer. This change is made in response to the company’s expanding loan portfolio in the small business and agricultural industries.

Eberly, former Chief Credit Officer for F&M Bank, stated “I’m honored to work with a company that prioritizes our local agricultural needs, and I’m thrilled to work more directly with our local farmers and to support our initiatives in this space.”

Withers has been with F&M Bank since April 2021 and has over 15 years of commercial credit experience. Jason commented, “I look forward to expanding my role and managing our credit portfolio as F&M Bank continues to support the ever-changing financing needs of our communities.”  Withers has deep ties to the Shenandoah Valley and graduated from Coastal Carolina University.

Mark Hanna, F&M Bank’s President & CEO, is available for additional comment. Please call (540) 896-1743 or contact Jacob Mowry at jmowry@fmbankva.com.

About F&M Bank

F&M Bank Corp. (OTCQX: FMBM) proudly remains the only publicly traded organization based in Rockingham County, VA, and since 1908, has served the Shenandoah Valley through its banking subsidiary F&M Bank, with full-service branches and a wide variety of financial services, including home loans through F&M Mortgage, and real estate settlement services and title insurance through VSTitle. Both individuals and businesses find the organization’s local decision-making, and up-to-date technology provides the kind of responsive, knowledgeable, and reliable service that only a progressive community bank can. F&M Bank has grown to $1 billion in assets with more than 175 full and part-time employees. Its conservative approach to finances and sound investments, along with excellent customer service, has made F&M Bank profitable and continues to pave the way for a bright future.

 

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F&M Bank Announces 33% Increase in Starting Wages

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Timberville, VA. August 4, 2022 – F&M Bank, a subsidiary of F&M Bank Corp, increased its employees’ starting wages from $15 to $20 per hour, a 33% increase, effective August 1, 2022.  This minimum hourly pay rate is substantially above the Commonwealth of Virginia’s minimum hourly rate of $11.00 and the federal minimum hourly wage rate of $7.25.

“Our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to maintaining a living wage for all members of the F&M team,” said F&M Bank CEO, Mark Hanna.  “This increase is made possible by the incredible effort and dedication our team puts forth to support the financial needs of our communities.”

F&M Bank’s commitment to its employees is also reflected in the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which is designed to help support employees’ retirement goals by growing retirement funds in direct correlation with the success of their daily work. Other benefits provided by the company include a Quarterly Wellness Reimbursement for employees prioritizing their health, a $10,000 tuition reimbursement for continued education, an above-average starting Paid Time Off allotment and opportunities for internal advancement.

“We are excited by the productivity of our team and the things we have been able to accomplish,” commented Melody Emswiler, F&M Bank Chief Human Resources Officer, “This increase is a reflection that at F&M we are committed to our employees, and we value them. We want to share our success that has been accomplished by serving our community.”

F&M Bank was recently named among the top three best banks in Virginia by Virginia Living Magazine.  For a complete list of career opportunities at F&M Bank, please visit their careers page.

About F&M Bank

F&M Bank Corp. (OTCQX: FMBM) proudly remains the only publicly traded organization based in Rockingham County, VA, and since 1908, has served the Shenandoah Valley through its banking subsidiary F&M Bank, with full-service branches and a wide variety of financial services, including home loans through F&M Mortgage, and real estate settlement services and title insurance through VSTitle. Both individuals and businesses find the organization’s local decision-making, and up-to-date technology provides the kind of responsive, knowledgeable, and reliable service that only a progressive community bank can. F&M Bank has grown to $1 billion in assets with more than 175 full and part-time employees. Its conservative approach to finances and sound investments, along with excellent customer service, has made F&M Bank profitable and continues to pave the way for a bright future.

F&M Bank – Farmers & Merchants Bank Announce Investment in BankTech Ventures Fund

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Timberville, VA. August 2, 2022 – F&M Bank, also known as Farmers & Merchants Bank, announced today that it has committed to be an investor in BankTech Ventures, LP (“BTV” or the “Fund”), a strategic investment fund with the mission to support community banks through investment and education around banking technology. With general partners from The Venture Center, the Independent Community Bankers of America (“ICBA”), Hovde Group and two leading community banks, Coastal Community Bank and Sunwest Bank, BankTech Ventures partners with premier community banks to identify emerging technologies for investment and use by them.

 

Supported and endorsed by the ICBA and The Venture Center, which was named Finovate’s 2020 Best Accelerator of the Year, BankTech Ventures is building an ecosystem that pairs community banks with emerging technology companies that can serve banks’ immediate needs whether it be regulatory, customer acquisition, process improvement, or other areas of focus. The Fund ultimately aims to provide its bank investors with the opportunity to obtain significant research & development “spend” at a much lower cost than if undertaken in-house, as well as strong returns from the underlying company investments. With a limited partner base of over 100 community banks across the US, the strategic value of the fund’s ecosystem for both bank-focused startups and community banks is unprecedented.

 

“Through our affiliation with the ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator program, F&M Bank has initiated partnerships with several of the past and current emerging financial technology companies,” said Mark Hanna, President & CEO of F&M Bank.  “We have been extremely impressed with the management of these companies and the services they provide which will enable F&M to better serve our clients and our communities.  Expanding our commitment to innovation in the form of a financial investment in BankTech Ventures was the next logical step in aligning our mutual interests with these emerging businesses.”

 

“We are thrilled to welcome F&M Bank to BankTech Ventures,” said Carey Ransom, Managing Director of BankTech Ventures. “From our first conversation with them, their commitment to innovation was clear, and they have already been a valuable participant in our ecosystem – collaborating with our team, other banks, and the startup companies with bank-enabling solutions. We look forward to the continued partnership.”

 

BankTech Ventures, LP (www.banktechventures.com) has raised over $100M for its first fund and has over 100 initial limited partners, including F&M Bank. The fund has already made 6 investment and continues to evaluate several investment opportunities. In addition to Ransom, the fund’s other general partners are Eric Sprink, CEO of Coastal Community Bank; Carson Lappetito, President of Sunwest Bank; Steve Hovde, Chairman & CEO of Hovde Group; Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer, ICBA; and Wayne Miller, Executive Director, The Venture Center.

 

Mark Hanna, F&M Bank’s President & CEO, is available for additional comment. Please call (540) 896-1743 or contact Jacob Mowry at jmowry@fmbankva.com

 

About F&M Bank

F&M Bank Corp. (OTCQX: FMBM) proudly remains the only publicly traded organization based in Rockingham County, VA, and since 1908, has served the Shenandoah Valley through its banking subsidiary F&M Bank, with full-service branches and a wide variety of financial services, including home loans through F&M Mortgage, and real estate settlement services and title insurance through VSTitle. Both individuals and businesses find the organization’s local decision-making, and up-to-date technology provide the kind of responsive, knowledgeable, and reliable service that only a progressive community bank can. F&M Bank has grown to $1 billion in assets with more than 175 full and part-time employees. Its conservative approach to finances and sound investments, along with excellent customer service, has made F&M Bank profitable and continues to pave the way for a bright future.

 

About BankTech Ventures, LP.

Established in 2021, BankTech Ventures, LP is the first venture fund created for and by key leaders in community banking, bank technology and fintech. BTV serves the community banking ecosystem through strategic investments, education and collaboration with its limited partners and ICBA members by delivering a de-risked and/or fully vetted network of leading and emerging bank technology companies to enhance a community bank’s value, as well as aim for strong returns from the underlying investments in these companies. Learn more at www.banktechventures.com.