CUSTOMERS Come First
Whether you dream about purchasing your first home, or third, we are here to help your homeownership dream become a reality—which is why we’ve made buying a home easier than ever with our leading-edge technology, alleviating piles of traditional paperwork.
When you work with Novus Home Mortgage, you can close on your home simply faster with our digital mortgage application process.
Why Homebuyers Love Working with NOVUS
Buying or refinancing a home is a big decision. You deserve straight answers. No jargon. No guesswork. You get clear explanations, real guidance, and consistent updates from pre-approval through closing.
Your goals, budget, and timeline are unique, so your mortgage should be too. Whether you are exploring:
• Conventional financing
• FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loans
• VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) loans
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) loans
• Investment property loans
• Second home loans
• Construction loans
• And more!
We help you compare your options and choose a loan that fits your life.
You should never feel like just another name on a list. With Novus, you get a loan officer who truly listens, cares about your goals, and guides you through every step with clarity and support. We blend personal care with smart technology to make your experience easier long after the closing table.
SPECIAL FINANCING · RATE BUYDOWN
What if this home came with
a lower payment to start?
When the seller, Novus Home Mortgage, or both put money toward a temporary buydown, your monthly payment drops for the first 1 year of the loan, then returns to the full payment. The list price stays the same.
TEMPORARY RATE BUYDOWN FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about temporary rate buydowns, including costs, qualification, loan eligibility, refinancing, and seller contributions.
Novus Home Mortgage contributes up to the amount shown above. The seller then negotiates their share on top. It can also be funded by a builder, or by the buyer. The seller’s portion is agreed per property and written into the contract — it is not automatic and not a standing offer on every home.
Sometimes a seller lists slightly higher to fund their share, and sometimes they fund it out of the existing price. Either way the buyer sees the price and the credit in the contract. What a buydown avoids is a public price reduction, which is why sellers often prefer it.
No. Discount points permanently reduce the note rate for the life of the loan. A temporary buydown leaves the note rate alone and subsidizes the payment for the first year or two from an escrow account. Points cost more; a temporary buydown buys a bigger visible drop for less money, but it does not last.
The full note rate, not the reduced year-one rate. That’s the part people get wrong. A temporary buydown lowers what you pay in the early years; it does not increase how much you can borrow. A permanent buydown does lower the qualifying rate.
Funds left in the buydown escrow are generally applied to the payoff, so the unused portion is not lost. The exact treatment is set by the buydown agreement on your specific loan — ask before you assume.
Conventional, FHA and VA all permit temporary buydowns, subject to program rules and occupancy restrictions. Contribution limits differ by program and by how much you put down. We confirm what a specific file allows before anything goes into a contract.
A price cut moves the monthly payment surprisingly little. The same money aimed at the rate moves it a lot more — so the home reaches buyers who were shopping below the price. It also avoids a public reduction and the days-on-market story that follows one.
That’s exactly what this is for. Put in the list price and the contribution you think the seller would consider, and it shows the payment story you can take to them. For the full picture — net proceeds, price-cut comparison, contribution limits — call and we’ll build it on the actual property.
Learn how to Buy Your First Home
Buying a home is a big step — and I’m here to make it easier. I’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you find the right loan to fit your life and goals.
Our Services
Home Purchase Loans
Refinancing Options
Personalized Consultations
Loan Program Guidance
In Our Community
Our work doesn’t stop at helping families buy homes—we’re committed to strengthening the places we live and work. From sponsoring youth programs to supporting local charities, we’re proud to give back to our community.
Proudly Giving Back
Local Food Drives
Youth Sports Sponsorships
Estimate your mortgage
See estimated monthly payments based on your loan details. Compare scenarios to find what best fits your budget.
Steps to Easy Home Buying with Novus
Buying a home is a major milestone. You deserve a path to homeownership that feels clear and supported at every step. The Novus Path brings together experienced loan officers, innovative technology, and industry-leading knowledge in both traditional and Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non-QM) lending.
Get Pre-Approved
Explore Your Loan Options
Find the Right Home
Apply and Submit Documents
Processing and Underwriting
Closing, Getting Your Keys, And Beyond
Real Stories from Real Owners
Tessa helped me close on my first home using an FHA Plus loan through Virginia Housing — and I even got cash back at closing, which I wasn't expecting! As a first-time buyer with two little ones, having someone guide me through the process and make it work for my family meant everything. My kids and I now have a safe, stable home to call our own. Highly recommend working with her!
Tessa was very thorough. She took time to explain every step to me in a way that I could understand. She was very responsive. She gave me a lot of educational tools that helped me to understand the home buying process. She called me often to check in and make sure all of my concerns were being addressed. Tessa is caring and understanding as well as logical and very grounded. Thank you, Tessa!!
Tessa takes time to explain things to me slowly so I can understand. she was very thorough and helpful and always available
Great experience she helped with everything we needed to know quickly and was able to give more than one option on things
Working with Tessa Rider was amazing and well guided with information. Her guidance makes the process easy and quick. GOD BLESS YOU.
Kept the process simple and was very communicative throughout things. Really made our first time buying a house as seamless as possible! Highly recommend
Tessa made this process so easy for us! She answered every question I had at all times of the day. She was so kind and I'm so glad we went with her!!
Tessa was a consummate professional – extremely pleasant, patient, and responsive.
To anyone embarking on the complex journey of purchasing a home, especially if you are facing the daunting prospect of a massive cross-country relocation, I cannot overstate the absolute necessity of having an exceptional loan officer by your side. For our family, that person was Tessa. From the very first phone call to the moment we finally received the keys to our new home, Tessa and her phenomenal team provided a level of service, dedication, and expertise that completely transformed our home-buying experience. Moving all the way from California to Virginia is a profoundly stressful process, fraught with logistical challenges, massive financial decisions, and the emotional toll of uprooting your entire life. Yet, in the midst of all that chaos, Tessa stood as our unwavering pillar of support, guiding us through every single hurdle with grace, professionalism, and unparalleled skill. One of the most remarkable aspects of working with Tessa was her extraordinary availability. When you are managing a real estate transaction from the opposite side of the country, time zone differences and distance can easily create frustrating bottlenecks. That was never the case with Tessa. She always made herself readily available to us, answering our calls, texts, and emails with an incredible promptness that constantly put our minds at ease. Whether it was early in the morning or late into the evening, we always felt like we were her top priority. When anxiety crept in over a sudden question or a new development, her immediate and reassuring responses were the exact antidote we needed. She did not just work standard business hours; she worked whenever she was needed to ensure our family felt completely secure. Beyond her availability, Tessa’s financial acumen and dedication to our best interests were truly second to none. Financing a home is rarely a straightforward endeavor, and our situation came with its own unique set of complexities. Tessa worked tirelessly on every possible solution to help our family make the absolute best financial decision. She took the time to deeply analyze our financial picture, presenting us with multiple pathways and carefully explaining the short-term and long-term implications of each. She walked us through every single document—and anyone who has bought a house knows there is a mountain of paperwork. From the initial loan estimates to the final closing disclosures, she patiently translated complex mortgage jargon into plain language, ensuring we were never signing anything we did not fully comprehend. Furthermore, Tessa’s ability to manage the moving parts of this transaction was masterful. Buying a home involves a complex web of professionals. Tessa seamlessly coordinated with every single party involved to ensure we were consistently on track. She acted as the central hub of our transaction, meticulously tracking deadlines, following up with lagging parties, and proactively addressing potential roadblocks before they surfaced. Her fierce advocacy ensured we were getting a truly good deal, protecting our interests at every negotiating table and ensuring no detail was ever overlooked by anyone involved. This exceptional level of advocacy was most evident when it came to the physical condition of our new home. Tessa fully displayed her significant experience and deep understanding of the real estate market during the inspection and repair phase. She was absolutely instrumental in ensuring our home was prepared to be moved into with minimal hassle. She helped us navigate the inspection findings strategically, ensuring that the necessary repairs were addressed and that she secured the proper financial credits for us. Knowing that we were arriving from out of state, she made certain that the house was entirely ready for our family from day one. That kind of foresight goes far beyond the traditional duties of a typical loan officer. Ultimately, Tessa was more than just a financial facilitator; she was a genuine and warm ambassador to our new community. Relocating from California meant adapting to an entirely new style of living, and Tessa embraced us with open arms, offering invaluable insights, recommendations, and a welcoming spirit that made us feel at home before we had even unpacked a single box. She understood that she wasn't just funding a piece of property; she was helping our family establish our new life and our new roots in a wonderful place. If you are looking for a loan officer who will champion your cause and meticulously manage your transaction, look no further. Her phenomenal team operated with the same level of integrity, speed, and diligence, proving that great leadership trickles down to every aspect of the business. We truly could not have successfully completed this journey without her. When we purchase another home or real estate, Tessa will undoubtedly be the very first one we call!
Tessa was diligent in answering my questions and solving any problems that arose. Very knowledgeable about the loan and the entire closing process, willing to find the answers if she didn't know them already. Highly recommend her
Tessa is amazing!
Absolutely fantastic experience I could not have been more delighted with the experience the customer service
Tessa was recommended by my realtor and I would do the same. Had first meeting/initiated loan within 24 hours of first contact. Regular updates also helpful.
Ms,Rider at Novus was so professional patient and understanding on how stressful house buying can be but put me in the house of my dreams thank you again for helping me make it happen
I would highly recommend working with Tessa Rider when shopping for a new home, she made the process easy and hassle free. She was always available to answer questions and worked diligently on getting my information ready for the next step. She definitely looks out for the best interest of her clients with follow up calls and making herself available for help in the future. Thank you, Tessa for such a great experience!
Tessa was wonderful from the beginning. Knowledgeable and prompt with answers to all our questions.