Home Loans

Helping You Become a Homeowner

Whether you’re buying your first home or building your retirement home, working with the right financial partner is crucial. With decades of combined expertise and in-depth knowledge of the local market, we’re more than equipped to help you.

start with us home loan officers

Want to Buy, Build, Remodel, or Refinance Your Home?

Apply Online Home Loan Options Resources

Our Home Loan Officers

Whether you're buying, building, remodeling, or refinancing your home, our experienced lenders are here to help you.

Ryan Venz
Ryan Venz VP, Real Estate Lending Officer NMLS ID: 1633623 Location: Charles City 641-257-5052 Email Me
Apply Online Visit Ryan's Lender Page
Gene Rosenbaum
Gene Rosenbaum VP, Lending Officer NMLS ID: 401695 Location: Clarion & Kanawha 641-494-5822 Email Me
Apply Online Visit Gene's Lender Page
Kelly Rush
Kelly Rush VP, Real Estate Lending Officer NMLS ID: 401697 Location: Mason City West 641-380-3326 Email Me
Apply Online Visit Kelly's Lender Page
Adrian Hackman
Adrian (Abe) Hackman AVP, Real Estate Lending Officer NMLS ID: 400193 Location: Mason City West 641-380-3347 Email Me
Apply Online Visit Adrian's Lender Page
Jill Fibikar
Jill Fibikar AVP, Retail Supervisor NMLS ID: 2587805 Location: New Hampton 641-494-5863 Email Me
Apply Online Visit Jill's Lender Page
Trever Olsen
Trever Olsen VP, Senior Lending Officer NMLS ID: 1314367 Location: Osage 641-494-5872 Email Me
Apply Online Visit Trever's Lender Page
Elizabeth Brandt
Elizabeth (Beth) Brandt AVP, Lending Officer NMLS ID: 1253808 Location: Mora, MN 320-209-6403 Email Me
Apply Online Visit Elizabeth's Lender Page
Paul Gilbertson
Paul Gilbertson AVP, Lending Officer NMLS ID: 2401235 Location: Mora, MN 320-209-6424 Email Me
Apply Online Visit Paul's Lender Page

Our Home Loan Options

Benefits of Working With Us

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Free Pre-Approvals

We offer free pre-approvals because knowing what you can afford is a great first step for buying or building a home.

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Customer Service

We provide personal assistance to help you through the home loan process and answer any questions you may have. 

How does the pre-approval process work?

To get started:

  • Submit an online application or contact one our our Home Loan Officers.
  • Income Verification: Pay stubs for 30 days and two years of W2’s or if self-employed, two years of federal tax returns.
  • Asset Verification: Recent monthly statements from accounts with funds in them that could be used for a purchase. 

Next Steps:

  • Your lender will then pull credit, check ratios, and determine the best loan option for you.
  • Buying a Home: Provide a copy of the purchase agreement.
  • Building a Home: Provide a copy of blueprints and costs.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I get started? 

We’d recommend getting pre-qualified first. Apply online here

How do I lock my rate? 

Contact a home loan expert

Can I apply for a loan before I find property to purchase? 

Yes, applying for a mortgage loan before you find a home may be the best thing you could do! If you apply for your mortgage now, we'll issue an approval subject to you finding the perfect home. We'll issue a pre-approval letter online instantly. You can use the pre-approval letter to assure real estate brokers and sellers that you are a qualified buyer. Having a pre-approval for a mortgage may give more weight to any offer to purchase that you make.

I found a home to purchase and I have been pre-approved. What now? 

When you find the perfect home, contact your loan officer to complete your application. You'll have an opportunity to lock in our great rates and fees then and we'll complete the processing of your request.

I've completed my online application. What's next? 

After your application is completed, a Loan Officer will contact you. Your Loan Officer is a mortgage expert and will provide help and guidance along the way. If your request wasn't approved online, they'll ask you for any information required to make a decision about your loan. You will then be sent an application package which contains papers for you to sign and a list of items we'll need to verify the information you provided about your finances during the online application.

What about my appraisal? 

We'll order the appraisal from a licensed appraiser who is familiar with home values in your area. Depending on your finances and the loan amount requested, different types of appraisals are used. Sometimes the appraiser will need to view the home; sometimes they are able to do their evaluation from the street.

How long does an appraisal take to receive back?

The appraisal process typically takes 2-3 weeks to be completed.  Our appraisals are completed through third party vendors,  The wait time can vary depending on the timing of the year or the appraiser's workload.

What is the difference between assessed value vs. appraised value?

The assessed value of a home is determined by your local government.  The local government authority utilizes this value when determining property taxes.

The appraised value is completed by a qualified, licensed appraiser.  The appraisal determines the fair market value of the property.  The value is determined by using comparable sales similar to the home being purchased in the area, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size, location, and condition to name a few.  The lender is verifying the home is valued at the amount of the buyer's purchase price.

Do I need title insurance? 

Title insurance will be necessary. If you are purchasing a home, we'll work with the real estate broker or seller to ensure the title work is ordered as soon as possible. If you are refinancing we'll take care of ordering the title work for you. We'll use the title insurance policy to confirm the legal status of your property and to prepare the closing documents.

What is the loan closing process? 

After we receive your application package, the appraisal, and the title work, we'll contact you to schedule your loan closing. If you are purchasing a home, we'll also schedule the closing with the real estate broker and the seller. A few days before closing your Loan Officer will contact you to walk through the final information.

 

 

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