Your Local Mortgage Lender
Located in Providence, Rhode Island
Personalized Mortgage Experience
I joined the mortgage industry in 2002 after serving overseas with the U.S. Army. Since then I have helped thousands of clients purchase or refinance their homes.
I pride myself on being accessible and dependable. Whether purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage, choosing your mortgage professional is an important step. My goal is to act as a trusted advisor, providing personalized service helping you through every step of the loan process from application to closing and beyond. From first homes to dream homes I can help you get there quicker using our Upfront underwriting and ultra-efficient process.
I am a VA loan expert and I also offer a wide portfolio of programs such as FHA, Conventional, VA, Jumbo, Renovation, First Time Homebuyer, Down payment assistance, HELOC, HEloan, Reverse, Non QM , and residential commerical loan progams.
I take pride in thoroughly educating my customers throughout the mortgage transaction, so they fully understand their options and feel comfortable with their chosen loan program. Whether you are a first time home buyer or seasoned owner, you can trust me and my team with all of your home financing needs.
Please reach out anytime using the contact information located on this page and use this website as a resource as you start your home financing journey.
The Home Loan Process
Mortgage Pre-Approval
Get pre-approved from one of our Loan Officers to see how much you can afford.
House Shopping
Work with a trusted Real Estate Agent to find a home you would like to move into.
Loan Application
Complete your home loan application to get the lending process started.
Don't take my word for it
Mortgage Programs
Experience the best mortgage experience located in Providence, Rhode Island}.
Home Loan Options
Our experienced mortgage advisors will walk you through the best mortgage loan program that will fit your specific scenario.
Conventional Home Loans.
FHA Home Loans.
USDA Home Loans.
VA Home Loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I refinance my mortgage?
There is no limit to the number of times you can refinance. However, you must qualify every time you apply and there will be costs associated with closing the loan each time.
Can I buy a home if I do not have money for a down payment?
Yes! There are a number of bond programs that offer low or no down payment financing options.
How do I know which mortgage is right for me?
The key to choosing the right mortgage is to understand the range of options and features available to you, as well as your budget, circumstances, and goals. Our licensed mortgage professionals are here to help you navigate that process. The more you know, the more comfortable and confident you will be choosing the best option for you and your family.
How long will the loan process take?
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) does not permit a lender to close a loan until at least seven (7) business days have passed from the date your application was received. A typical home loan takes 30 days, as a number of third-party services such as appraisals, title work, and credit are required in conjunction with the mortgage process. Once you familiarize your Loan Officer with the details of your specific loan scenario, they will be able to provide you with a more specific timeline.
Will I qualify for a home loan?
The only way to find out is to speak with a qualified mortgage professional. Our Loan Officers have helped numerous clients who didn’t know if they could qualify to become home owners. We take the time to understand your financial situation and long-term financial goals, and then match you with the loan program that best fits your needs. Your approval for a loan may also largely depend on the price of the home you are financing. Getting pre-qualified prior to beginning your home search can give you an idea of what you may be able to afford.
Why do people refinance their mortgages?
Homeowners typically refinance to save money, either by obtaining a lower interest rate or by reducing the term of their loan. Refinancing is also a way to convert an adjustable loan to a fixed loan or to consolidate debts.
How much money will I have to pay upfront to buy a home?
This question does not have a simple, one-size-fits-all answer. The exact amount will depend on the price of the home you buy as well the type of mortgage financing you choose. Depending on your loan program, your down payment could be as much as 20% of the home’s price or as little as 3%, while some loans require no down payment at all.
Can I get a mortgage after bankruptcy?
You may still qualify for a home loan even if you have experienced a bankruptcy. The best way to find out if you qualify is to talk with a Loan Officer to discuss your options. Be sure to bring all paperwork regarding your bankruptcy so your Loan Officer can find the program that best fits your situation.
Should I lock my interest rate now, or wait until we are closer to our closing?
Interest rates fluctuate all day, every day. If an interest rate is good, it may be in your best interest to lock now. If you wait, you run the risk of an increase in rates later. If you are concerned that rates may go down after you lock, contact your Loan Officer to discuss your options. Some programs allow you to lock for an extended period and choose to lower your rate should a better one become available.
Most Recent Blog Updates
What Tidewater Means on a VA Loan and Why Hearing That Word Should Not Make You Panic
What Tidewater Means on a VA Loan and Why Hearing That Word Should Not Make You Panic
The VA Loan Term That Sounds Alarming and Is Actually a Protection
If you are buying a home with a VA loan and someone mentions the word Tidewater the instinct is to worry. It sounds like a problem. It is actually the opposite. Tidewater is a built-in protection within the VA loan process that gives everyone involved an opportunity to present evidence before an appraisal is finalized at a value that could kill the deal.
Understanding what it means and how it works is what allows buyers and their teams to respond effectively rather than reactively when it comes up.
What Tidewater Actually Is
When a VA appraiser is evaluating a property and believes the home may appraise for less than the agreed purchase price they are required by VA guidelines to notify the lender before the appraisal is finalized. That notification triggers the Tidewater process.
Once the lender receives that notification the lender and the real estate agents involved in the transaction typically have 48 hours to provide additional comparable sales or supporting market data that may justify the contract price. The goal is straightforward. Give everyone a chance to present evidence that the appraiser may not have considered before the appraisal report is completed and the value is locked in.
As Keith Calabro explains as a military veteran and VA loan specialist this process exists specifically to prevent a situation where an appraisal comes in below value based on incomplete information without any opportunity for the parties who know the local market best to contribute relevant data.
How It Works in Practice
Here is a concrete example of how Tidewater plays out in a real transaction. You are under contract to purchase a home at $450,000. The VA appraiser begins the valuation process and based on the comparable sales they have identified believes the value may come in below the contract price. Rather than completing the appraisal at that lower value the appraiser triggers Tidewater and notifies the lender.
Your lender and your real estate agent now have 48 hours to pull together additional comparable sales. Recent sales of similar properties that the appraiser may not have considered. Off-market transactions. Pending sales that reflect current demand. Any market data that supports the position that $450,000 is a fair and accurate reflection of what the home is worth in the current market.
That information gets submitted to the appraiser who reviews it before finalizing the report. If the additional comparables support the contract price the appraisal may come in at or near the agreed value and the transaction moves forward as planned. If the additional data does not change the appraiser's conclusion the appraisal still comes in below value but the team had every opportunity to present the best available case before that happened.
Why This Is a Benefit Rather Than a Problem
The conventional loan process does not have an equivalent mechanism. When a conventional appraisal comes in below value the parties find out after the fact when the options are more limited and the leverage for providing additional information has already passed.
Tidewater creates an intervention point before the appraisal is finalized. That intervention point is an opportunity and how effectively that opportunity is used depends almost entirely on how quickly and how thoroughly the lender and real estate agent respond with relevant supporting data within the 48-hour window.
Working with a VA loan specialist who understands the Tidewater process and knows how to respond to it efficiently is what makes the difference between a Tidewater notification that saves the deal and one where the opportunity is not fully captured because the right information was not assembled in time.
The VA Loan Is Built to Protect Veterans at Every Stage
Tidewater is one of multiple protections built into the VA loan process that reflect the program's commitment to ensuring veterans are making sound financial decisions. The VA's minimum property standards protect buyers from purchasing homes with serious deficiencies. The Reconsideration of Value process allows buyers to challenge appraisals after they are completed. And Tidewater creates a pre-completion opportunity to ensure the appraisal reflects the best available market information.
Keith Calabro is a military veteran and VA loan specialist who works with veterans and active duty service members to navigate every aspect of the VA loan process including appraisal challenges and the Tidewater procedure. Reach out to Keith Calabro to discuss your VA loan options and follow along for more VA loan tips and homebuying advice built specifically for those who have served.
Sources
VA.gov
MilitaryOneSource.mil
MortgageNewsDaily.com
NAR.realtor
ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau.gov
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