Data from the Joint Center for Housing Studies shows that more than 22.6 million households were labeled “severely cost-burdened” in 2025, meaning more than half their income went toward housing.
For first-time buyers in Central Virginia, that figure hits close to home. It’s a reminder that the margin for error is thin. In competitive pockets like Glen Allen and Richmond, picking the wrong lender can mean paying thousands more over the life of a loan.
Among local providers of home loans Glen Allen VA, industry watchers often mention Duane Buziak Mortgage Maestro as a more hands-on alternative to the traditional bank route.
