ead: 2025 NCHFA Top Loan Officer

Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425, VP Mortgage Production Manager NC at Ameris Bank (Mortgages By Jill), is listed among NCHFA’s 2025 Top Loan Officers as “Burgess, Jill Ameris Bank.”

Official awards page: https://www.nchfa.com/home-ownership-partners/lenders/lender-awards

That recognition matters when you are navigating North Carolina Housing Finance Agency products — including NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ and NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment.

What is NC Home Advantage?

NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ is NCHFA’s flagship mortgage product for eligible North Carolina homebuyers. It pairs with down payment assistance options, including NC 1st Home Advantage for buyers who meet first-time, veteran, or targeted census tract paths.

Jill helps Triad buyers (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and nearby) understand whether Home Advantage — and which DPA option — fits their purchase. Product availability, rates, and overlays can change; this page is educational, not an offer.

NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment ($15,000 from official NCHFA page)

Per NCHFA’s NC 1st Home Advantage page:

If you are a first-time home buyer or military veteran and qualify for an NC Home Advantage Mortgage™, you may be eligible for $15,000 in down payment assistance. Buyers purchasing in a targeted census tract may also meet the first-time path as descri

• You are a first-time home buyer (haven’t owned a home as your principal residence in the past three years), or a military veteran, or are buying in a targeted census tract
• - You meet the income and sales price limits
• - You are purchasing a home in North Carolina
• - You occupy the home as your principal residence within 60 days of closing
• - Your credit score is 640 or higher
• - You are a legal resident of the United States
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• Eligibility is determined under current NCHFA guidelines and lender underwriting — not by this webpage.
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• Eligible property types (NCHFA)

How Jill works with you

1. Listen to your timeline, location, and first-time / veteran status
2. 2. Review which NCHFA path may fit (and city options if Greensboro)
3. 3. Pre-approval through Ameris Bank processes
4. 4. Coordinate documentation for DPA seconds when applicable
5. 5. Stay available through closing — by appointment in Winston-Salem or Greensboro

Offices

• Main: 3500 Vest Mill Road, Suite 1, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
• - Greensboro satellite: 2711 Pinedale Road, Greensboro, NC 27408
• - Hours: By appointment
• - Phone: (336) 740-9068
• - Email: jill.burgess@amerisbank.com

FAQ

Is the $15,000 figure official?

Yes — NCHFA’s NC 1st Home Advantage page states you may be eligible for $15,000 in down payment assistance if you qualify. Always re-check the live NCHFA page; programs can update.

What credit score do I need?

NCHFA lists 640 or higher for NC 1st Home Advantage (and 660 for manufactured homes). Lender overlays may be higher.

Is this free money?

It is structured as a 0%

Can Greensboro Housing Connect stack with this?

Possibly, when both programs allow it. City amounts are soft — confirm with Jill and the city. See /housing-connect-greensboro.

Who is my loan officer?

Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425, Ameris Bank — Mortgages By Jill. Ameris profile: https://bankers.amerisbank.com/nc/winston-salem/jill-burgess-100425

Call to action

Ask whether NC Home Advantage and NC 1st Home Advantage fit your purchase.

Call: (336) 740-9068

Email: jill.burgess@amerisbank.com

Contact: /contact

Ameris LO profile: https://bankers.amerisbank.com/nc/winston-salem/jill-burgess-100425

Site: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com

Hours: By appointment.

Equal Housing / lending disclaimer

Equal Housing Opportunity. Jill Burgess, NMLS #100425 | Ameris Bank. Information only — not a commitment to lend. Not a guarantee of NCHFA approval, DPA funds, or loan terms. All loans subject to credit approval and current program guidelines. NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ and related marks are associated with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency; confirm live terms on nchfa.com.

Sources

1. NCHFA — NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment: https://www.nchfa.com/home-buyers/home-buyer-mortgage-products/nc-1st-home-advantage-down-payment
2. 2. NCHFA — Lender Awards (2025 Top Loan Officers): https://www.nchfa.com/home-ownership-partners/lenders/lender-awards
3. 3. City of Greensboro — Housing Connect GSO: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/housing-neighborhood-development/housing-services/homeowners-renters/housing-connect-gso/homebuyer-down-payment-assistance-program
4. 4. Ameris LO profile: https://bankers.amerisbank.com/nc/winston-salem/jill-burgess-100425
5. 5. Mortgages By Jill: https://www.mortgagesbyjill.comdeferred second that is forgiven over years 11–15 per NCHFA. It is not a gift in the casual sense — read the note terms carefully. Recapture / repayment can apply if you sell or refinance early under program rules.

Do veterans have to be first-time buyers?

NCHFA’s page lists military veterans as a path that may qualify for NC 1st Home Advantage when they also qualify for NC Home Advantage Mortgage™. Confirm veteran documentation requirements with Jill / NCHFA.

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• - Single-family homes
• - Townhouses
• - Condominiums
• - Manufactured homes (660 credit score required per NCHFA)
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• Stacking with Housing Connect GSO (soft)
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• Greensboro buyers sometimes ask whether Housing Connect GSO (city program) can be used alongside NC Home Advantage / NC 1st Home Advantage.
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• Answer at a high level: Stacking may be possible when both programs’ rules are met and the lender / city / NCHFA process allows it. City dollar amounts and AMI limits are set by the City of Greensboro — confirm with Jill and the city before relying on a number. Do not treat blog “stack totals” as official.
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• Learn more: Housing Connect Greensboro at /housing-connect-greensboro
• City page: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/housing-neighborhood-development/housing-services/homeowners-renters/housing-connect-gso/homebuyer-down-payment-assistance-programbed by NCHFA.

How the second mortgage works (NCHFA):

• 0% deferred second mortgage
• - Forgiven 20% per year at the end of years 11–15
• - Complete forgiveness at the end of year 15

Source: https://www.nchfa.com/home-buyers/home-buyer-mortgage-products/nc-1st-home-advantage-down-payment

Eligibility bullets (from NCHFA)

You may be eligible for NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment if: