When it comes to buying a home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a mortgage lender. While you can work with a lender from anywhere in the country, so long as they’re licensed to originate loans in your state, there are many reasons why you should consider using a local mortgage lender.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the benefits of working with a local lender. We will also explain how local lenders can be the make-it-or-break-it factor in closing the deal on your dream home. Let’s get started.
We’re Part of Your Community
One of the biggest advantages of using a local mortgage lender is that we’re part of your community. Our loan officers live and work in local branches, meaning you can easily reach them or meet with them in person.
When you work with a local lender, you’re also supporting local businesses and putting money back into your local economy. This is important because when the community thrives, everyone benefits.
We’re invested in the success of our community, and we’re here for the long haul.
We Have Local Relationships
Another benefit of using a local lender is that we have established relationships with other professionals in the home buying process. We work with expert local real estate agents, appraisers, and other professionals to ensure you have a smooth and seamless home buying experience.
These relationships can even be invaluable when it comes to navigating more nuanced scenarios, like getting your offer accepted in a seller’s market, or helping you sell your current house while you buy your new one.
Local Property Appraisers
We work with local property appraisers who know the area and can provide a compliant and accurate valuation of the home you’re purchasing. Because they’re local and we’ve vetted them and worked with them before, you can be sure they will complete their appraisals on time and be accessible to answer any questions you might have.
This can be particularly important when it comes to determining the value of a home in a competitive market or when you have a tight deadline to close. Local lenders are able to leverage this local expertise to close even the most challenging deals on time.
Local Real Estate Agents
We also work closely with your local real estate agents, and these partnerships can be incredibly valuable for homebuyers. Through these relationships, your home buying team, made up of a local loan officer and real estate agent, can gain a deeper understanding of the local real estate market, including market trends, home values, and the needs and preferences of local buyers.
Local Home Builders
If you’re looking to build a brand new home, the strong partnership between a local mortgage lender and builder within the community can also provide tangible benefits to you as a buyer.
You may be able to take advantage of special loan programs or incentives that they can pass along to you. These incentives could include things like reduced closing costs, lower interest rates, or other perks that can help you save money on your home purchase. You’ll also benefit from the streamlined communications that make for a smooth and efficient loan process.
We’re Your Local Experts
As a local mortgage lender, we have a deep understanding of the real estate market in your area.
Not only are local loan officers familiar with their neighborhoods, but they also know the businesses and amenities nearby them too. They can use that expertise to match you up to the right location based on your interests and needs. A home purchase is a big one, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money only to end up somewhere that you’re not fully satisfied with.
In addition to really knowing the different parts of town, a local lender will also be versed on any special quirks of the neighborhood or community, such as specific HOA requirements or restrictions. A local loan officer will also be knowledgeable about any unique home layouts that might be prevalent in the community, providing you with valuable insight you wouldn’t have access to otherwise.
Getting Your Offer Accepted
In a competitive housing market, your biggest hurdle might be having your offer stand out amongst the rest and ultimately getting it accepted by the seller. When you work with a local mortgage lender and an experienced real estate agent, we can help you craft a strong offer together that stands out to sellers.
We understand your local market and can provide insights into what sellers are looking for. This can easily give you an edge over other buyers who are working with big-box lenders.
We are also able to help you stand out with the speed at which you can get pre-approved. The structure of a local lender allows us to respond quickly and prioritize our workload, helping you get that pre-approval letter that can help you win the deal over other buyers who might still be waiting to get ahold of the right person at a big-box lender.
With local lenders, you’ll know exactly who is working on your loan, and you’ll be able to reach them. Most loan officers are even outside of the normal business hours you’ve come to expect from big-name financial institutions.
That direct access and the ability to ask questions and dive deeper into different loan options to meet your specific situation or goals will be invaluable to your success as a buyer and homeowner.
We Provide a Personalized Experience
Finally, when you work with a local mortgage lender, you’ll receive personalized service. We’re not a faceless institution located halfway across the country. We’re part of your community, and we care about your success.
You’ll work directly with a loan officer. You’ll know who they are, and you’ll be able to reach them throughout your home buying journey. You’ll have their direct phone number, which means you’ll never be waiting for someone to answer your call on a customer service line. You’ll even be able to text them for quick updates or questions about your loan.
Along with that direct access is the ability to ask more questions and dive deeper into different loan options that may be better for your specific situation or goals. Because they’re working with you directly on a regular basis, they will be able to answer any questions about your specific scenario immediately. They will be able to recommend tailored solutions that also help you meet your overall financial goals.
Ultimately, you’re more than just a number, and you will really feel like that when using a local lender.
As you’ve learned, there are many reasons you should work with a local mortgage lender to finance your next home.
If you’re in the market to buy a home, get a free consultation from one of our loan officers today.
The included content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional advice. Additional terms and conditions apply. Not all applicants will qualify. Consult with a finance professional for tax advice or a mortgage professional to address your mortgage questions or concerns. This is an advertisement. Prepared 4/6/2023.