Forbes Mortgages, a DBA of NEXA Mortgage, LLC · NMLS #1660690ForbesMORTGAGES
Forbes Mortgages, a DBA of NEXA Mortgage, LLC · NMLS #1660690
It's one of the most important financial decisions you'll make. I'll walk you through every step, from application to closing.
Buying a home is a big step. You don't have to take it alone.Mark Forbes, NMLS #2882381
Your loan officer · Licensed in Texas · Central Texas focus
See this week's average mortgage rates ↗ Freddie Mac's weekly national survey, updated Thursdays. These are averages, not a quote. For a rate based on your situation, contact me.
A good barber listens first. I bring that to every loan.
For 14 years I've earned people's trust one haircut at a time, first in California and now in Round Rock. Today I help people buy and refinance homes, with the same honesty and the same attention to detail.
Texas has always been home base for my family. My mom was born and raised in Austin, and I lived here on and off growing up. In 2021, my wife and I sold our barbershops in California and moved here for good. I'm a Christian, and my faith and family are at the center of my life. We're raising our two kids here, and I still run The Best Barber ATX, a small studio in downtown Round Rock. I also own a small real estate media company.
Fourteen years of cutting hair taught me that the job is never only about the haircut. It's about listening, showing up on time, and doing the work right every single visit. People came back because they could count on me.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, and the loan process can feel confusing. My job is to explain every step in simple, clear terms, tell you what you need to know even when it isn't what you hoped to hear, and keep you and your real estate agent updated from application to closing.
Whether you're buying your first home, moving up, or refinancing, I'll walk you through the options that fit your situation and help you make a decision you feel good about.
Clear answers, quick updates and honest guidance from first call to closing.
Simple, clear explanations. I explain how each option works, what it costs, and why it might or might not fit you.
Questions don't sit. You and your agent get updates as your loan moves forward.
If something could slow down your approval, I'll tell you early and help you plan around it.
A preapproval letter tells sellers and agents that a lender has looked at your finances and is generally willing to lend up to a set amount. It is not a guaranteed loan offer, and the final approval still depends on the home, the appraisal, and underwriting.
Your exact list depends on your loan. I'll tell you what applies to you.
Your application opens in my secure borrower portal, where you'll create an account, enter your income and account details, and upload documents. None of that goes through this website.
Never send your Social Security number or account numbers by email or text.
Start my applicationAlready started? Sign back in to your application
Applying lets us review your credit. Preapproval is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval.
My barber studio is in downtown Round Rock, and Central Texas is where I know the market best: Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Hutto, San Marcos, Kyle, Buda and the towns around them. I'm licensed statewide, so I can help you buy or refinance anywhere in Texas, from Dallas and Houston to San Antonio and beyond.
It depends on the loan program. VA and USDA loans can require no down payment for people who qualify, and conventional and FHA loans have low down payment options. I'll look at your credit, income, and savings to show you which programs fit and what each one would take.
It depends on the program and the lender. FHA's program minimum is a 500 score, with larger down payment requirements for scores under 580, and many lenders set higher minimums of their own. If your score isn't where you want it yet, I can tell you what to work on before you apply.
Lenders use these words differently, so the label matters less than what the letter is based on. A letter backed by a review of your actual credit, income, and asset documents carries more weight with sellers.
Usually a photo ID, recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, and recent bank statements. Self-employed borrowers often need more. The exact list depends on your loan, and I'll give you a checklist up front so you know what to gather. Underwriting can still ask for more.
It depends on the loan type, the appraisal, and how quickly documents come in. Once you have a signed purchase contract, I'll give you a timeline built around your closing date and keep you and your agent updated at each step.
A lower payment only helps if you keep the home long enough for the savings to cover your closing costs. Try the refinance calculator to see your break-even point, then contact me for real numbers.
Forbes Mortgages is a registered DBA ("doing business as" name) of NEXA Mortgage, LLC (NMLS #1660690), the licensed mortgage company I originate loans through. I'm a licensed mortgage loan originator (NMLS #2882381). You can look up both licenses on NMLS Consumer Access.
Tell me a little about what you're looking for. No pressure and no obligation.
Call (949) 306-1424 or email mark@nxtmortgage.com
Enter your own numbers, including interest rates, to see an estimate. These tools do not show rates we offer. For a quote based on your situation, contact me.
For illustration only. This is not a loan offer, rate quote, or commitment to lend. Your actual payment depends on your rate, fees, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, and approval. All loans are subject to credit approval.
For illustration only. This is not a loan offer, rate quote, or commitment to lend. Taxes, insurance and mortgage insurance are not included. A longer new term can lower the payment but raise total interest. Cash-out loans on a Texas homestead have special rules. All loans are subject to credit approval.
A quick guide to the main loan types. Every program has its own eligibility rules, and lenders may set stricter requirements than the program minimums. Not every borrower or property will qualify.
Loans that follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. The most common choice for buyers with steady income and solid credit.
Often a fit for: buyers with good credit who want flexibility.
Your interest rate stays the same for the entire life of the loan, so your principal and interest payment never changes.
Often a fit for: people planning to stay in the home a long time.
An Adjustable-Rate Mortgage keeps the same rate for an initial period of several years. After that, the rate can change on a set schedule, and your payment may go up or down.
Often a fit for: buyers who expect to sell or refinance before the rate can change.
Insured by the Federal Housing Administration, with more flexible credit guidelines.
Often a fit for: first-time buyers and people rebuilding credit.
An FHA loan that combines the purchase or refinance of a home with the cost of repairs or improvements in a single loan.
Often a fit for: buyers looking at homes that need work.
Guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible veterans, service members, and some surviving spouses.
Often a fit for: anyone who has served.
Guaranteed by USDA Rural Development for homes in eligible rural and some suburban areas.
Often a fit for: moderate-income buyers outside the city core.
For loan amounts above the conforming limit set each year by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Often a fit for: buyers of higher-priced homes.
Replace your current mortgage with a new one to change your rate or loan type, remove mortgage insurance, or take cash out of your home's equity.
Often a fit for: homeowners whose goals or finances have changed.
Financing for homes you plan to rent out rather than live in.
Often a fit for: buyers adding a rental property.
An FHA-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage lets homeowners access part of their home equity without a monthly mortgage payment.
Often a fit for: older homeowners with significant equity.
Loans outside standard guidelines, such as programs for self-employed borrowers who document income differently.
Often a fit for: self-employed and non-traditional borrowers.
Clear, simple answers to the questions buyers and homeowners across Texas ask me most.
Tell me a little about what you're looking for and I'll reach out. It's free, and there's no obligation.
Tap below to share your contact details and what you're looking for. It takes a couple of minutes, no account needed, and it comes straight to me.
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