Bill Duke / Bell Bank Mortgage

Just a simple post to remind you to stop and smile … and make it a good day. 😃

A common question asked is, “Should I wait to buy a home until I have more of a down payment?”

There is no one answer as every one of my clients has a unique situation. However, it is important to know the facts.

Here are some of the pros and cons of bigger versus smaller down payments are:
Bigger down payment: Lower interest rate and lower monthly payment
Smaller down payment: Buy a home and start building equity sooner, keep more of your savings intact for emergency expenses

Your situation is as unique as you are, and the best way to get started is to reach out to me to start the conversation. I’m a phone call (or text) away! 📱

If you need a mortgage, but have no idea where to start. Start here, with me and let’s connect.

I will take any guess work out of the home buying process to help YOU make owning a home happen.🏠🤗

It still is a great time to buy.

Consider this: Rent costs increased 6.7% since August 2021. Your rent can keep increasing year after year… while your mortgage can be a fixed rate while you’re investing in YOUR future.

Let’s connect on any questions you might have about homeownership – no strings attached.

P.S. Did you know qualified borrowers could own a home for as little as 1% down?

Update your home and roll remodeling costs into your mortgage.

Step-by-Step Process.

If you’re looking to upgrade your home via repairs or cosmetic updates, a rehab loan from Bell lets you roll the cost of these modifications directly into your home financing. Take that fixer-upper one step closer to an ideal home with our simple and straightforward rehab program— available for upgrades to your current home or to a home you’re looking to buy.

Want to learn more? Let’s chat.

Did you recently close on your home? Make sure to change your locks.

The keys you got at closing are the same used by the seller. Just to be safe, change the locks and reprogram any keypads for doors or garages.

BIG NEWS!

Starting today, Bell has increased our conforming loan limit to $740,000 (used to be $647,200). 🎉

What does this mean? It means that other lenders may have to wait until January, 1 2023 to use increased loan limits when Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae officially announce their numbers near the end of the year.

👉Single Family Primary Residence only (no MFH)
👉Purchase and Refinance eligible
👉$740,000 maximum loan amount
👉MN, ND, WI, CO, KS, MO, TN, FL, NM, AZ only
👉Loans must be locked on or before December 31st, 2022

New construction doesn’t have to be intimidating. We will partner with you to make the process as straightforward and hassle-free as possible. From the application process through the closing of your loan, we’ll be there to help you make the most informed decisions, ensuring you obtain the best financing option to make your home-building dreams come true!

And you don’t have to break the bank! 😊 🏠

Your loan should be as unique as you are. Let me help you find the perfect loan for your perfect home… to align with your individual goals and dreams.

Probably less than you might have heard. Did you know our exclusive Bell Moving forward program can get qualified borrowers into a home with as little as 1% down? And, you can have that down payment be grant money or a gift?

Homeownership might be closer thank you think. Let’s chat.

Bell puts the hard-working people of our country first in everything we do. We wish you happy (and safe) Labor Day.

Whether you use one of our borrower-financed construction loans or buy a builder-financed home, I can help you get the process started.

We offer a wide variety of mortgage options for your construction or renovation project. Our borrower-financed options include the popular One-Time Close loan, renovation financing, and lot loans.

*One-Time Close loan, renovation financing, and lot loans are not available in all markets

Your bell loan officer is best prepared to answer this question. The right type of mortgage for you depends on many different factors:

✔️Your current financial picture

✔️How you expect your finances to change

✔️How long you intend to keep your house

✔️How comfortable you are with your mortgage payment changing from time to time

Feel free to reach out to me to learn more about what mortgage is best for your unique situation.

Unique goals. Common sense loans.

Experience the Bell difference and make welcome home happen.

🗣Attention medical physicians, dentists and even medical residents! Bell’s Doctor Program is a loan program made just for you.

Here’s what you need to know:
✔️NO Mortgage Insurance (MI) is required with only 5% down, 10% down or even the 15% down payment options.*
✔️Conventional programs – jumbo and conforming loan options
✔️Fixed and adjustable rate mortgage options

Interested in learning more? Let’s connect.

*Qualifying requirements and restrictions apply. Available in AZ, CO, FL, KS, MN, MO, ND, NM, TN, WI.

Yes! Many people mistakenly think the first step in the homebuying process is shopping for a home. The truth is many Realtors (or real estate agents) won’t even show you a home until you have a pre-approval letter from a lender, and most listing agents won’t even entertain an offer without a pre-approval. Plus, it makes the initial house search easier when you know how much home you can afford.

Curious to learn more, click here or connect with me to start a conversation … no strings attached.

How Much Home Can You Afford Many factors determine how much home you can afford. Here's how to figure it out – before you fall in love with your dream home.

Did you know my business is built on referrals from clients like you? If you loved working with me, please give my page a share! I’d greatly appreciate it! 😊

Trade someday for today and say YES to your first home.

If you’re looking to take the next step, here are some ways we can help:
✔️ Easy, free pre-approval [to know what you can afford]
✔️ Down payment assistance options available in your market [means less money out of pocket]
✔️ An actual experienced mortgage lender that works with you [and puts your financial goals into consideration to find you the best loan program for your unique situation]

Portfolio loans are mortgages retained in-house instead of being sold on the secondary mortgage market. How does this benefit you? These loans might come with different credit considerations and more flexibility than Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and government-insured loan standards. Basically, gives you way more options and buying power. Interested? Let's connect.

When it comes to construction financing, Bell Bank Mortgage has everything under one roof! 🏠

🔨 Rehab loans
🔨 One-time close (OTC)
🔨 Two-time close
🔨 Lot loans
🔨 Extended lock with float down
🔨 Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) • Fixed-rate mortgages
🔨 Jumbo conforming loans
🔨 Simple draw process
🔨 In-house appraisal desk

You’ll find it all with your in-house construction lending experts at Bell!

Think you need 20% down to own a home? Not always. Bell has a loan program where qualified applicants pay just 1% down.🤗



🔑Low credit scores for qualified applicants.

🔑Local, commonsense approach to real-life scenarios.

🔑Large enough to be backed by a powerful bank, yet small enough to feel like your situation matters.



🎉🎉Bonus: We give every employee money each year to pay it forward to causes they care about.

The fed raised rates again. What does this mean and how can it affect me in the homebuying process?

This hike is done to tame inflation. When the fed raises rates, it is NOT mortgage rates. Even with the policy rates increasing by 0.75% in July, mortgage rates are still steady. If you’re planning on a home purchase an adjustable ARM project might be right for you.

I monitor interest rates and the markets every day. Please contact me if have questions – I’m happy to be a resource to you.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are becoming more popular. If you’re on the fence over whether they’re right for you, consider how likely your life is to change in the next few years. If you plan to live in the home for no more than 5 years, an ARM might be a good way to purchase a home at a lower rate.

My business is built on referrals from happy clients. If you know of anyone who’s looking to buy or move, please share your experience with them. I’m happy to help!

So much more than a mortgage company, at Bell, you’ll find people who find joy in helping others – whether you’re looking to build, buy or refinance. Ready to let us help you find some homeownership joy? Let’s chat.

Are you thinking of building a home, but don’t know where to start? First step, connect with me and our team to start the conversation and determine how much you can afford.