When looking to buy a home, it can be intimidating to know where to start. Suppose you put your information into an online form. You quickly get thrown into a pool of salespeople looking to sell you something you are not even sure you want. Sound terrible? We agree!

The best thing you can do is start locally. Find a local lender or real estate agent who has an excellent reputation in your area. Ask friends and family for referrals from whom they received a superb experience. Local agents and lenders are best, and here is why:

Market Knowledge

If you use a loan officer that has lived and worked in your area for a while, they truly understand the market. This means they can put you in a loan program that suits the way your home’s equity will grow.

Negotiating Power

One of the most important reasons to use a local Realtor® is because of the negotiating power it gives them. They understand your city and the areas within it. They can advise you whether you are overpaying or if an area that has peaked in value. This information is invaluable when making a decision that will affect you for years to come.

Better Operations

Working locally with a team means that they are better connected. There are no time zone or communication issues. It also means that their reputation is essential in the local community. Their operations will mirror this, and you can sleep well knowing they will take care of your transaction.

Get Face-To-Face

Meeting in person makes it easier to:

• Gather documents
• Get educated on the process
• Meet the team behind the lender and Realtor®

Support Local Economy

Instead of forking over thousands to a large corporation, you are helping local business owners thrive. When you support local, you:

• Pay for kids’ school and sports
• Allow businesses to give back in the form of charitable donations
• Feed families
• Prop up your local economy

If you are looking for a local lending team to help you with your mortgage click here. We have branches all across the United States that are based exclusively in their local area. These loan officers can help you build your mortgage plan and get closer to your homeownership dream.