4 insider tips for getting a better mortgage in Huntsville now

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It’s no secret that high interest rates have been all the talk over the past few years, but what if I told you we found four hacks to get a better deal on your mortgage in Huntsville?

We talked with three experts in mortgage lending and real estate to get all the inside tips. Read on for more details.

1. You don’t need a huge down payment

One of the biggest fears most first-time homebuyers have is emptying out their savings account to buy a house. However, the experts told us there are multiple programs available at Bryant Bank where homebuyers either put down a small sum or nothing at all.

“I remember almost 30 years ago, when I bought my first house. I reached out to my grandmother and asked, ‘Would you give me money for a down payment?’ I thought I had to wait and save up a huge sum of money, but that’s not true.

At Bryant Bank, we offer multiple programs for down payment assistance, from true grants to borrowing down payment funds. We want to help first-time homebuyers realize their dream.”

Michelle Robinson, President, Bryant Bank Mortgage

With these down payment assistance programs, you can get the homebuying process started and avoid the dark side of renting.

“People talk about high interest rates, but rental prices have increased too. Renters are always frustrated with their landlord raising prices, but that doesn’t happen with a mortgage. Plus, you get the tax benefit of writing off mortgage interest.”

Scott Ellis, VP Mortgage Loan Officer, Bryant Bank

“I have four grown children, and I’ve always told them, ‘If you rent, you might as well drive down the road and toss your money out of the window—you’re never going to see it again.’ But if you buy smartly, you build equity, and you get your money back.”

Lore Hislop, President, Huntsville Area Association of Realtors®

2. Bryant Bank can help you get a much lower interest rate

Along with helping homebuyers avoid huge down payments, Bryant Bank also features programs that offer significantly lower interest rates.

One example is the Community Lending Program. Driven by property location, this program isn’t limited to first-time homebuyers. If eligible, you can qualify for the below-market interest rate.

“If you look at interest rates over the years, you’ll realize that anything under 7% is historically low. Ultimately, the decision to buy should be based on your personal circumstances and long-term goals. You can always refinance later.

I encourage buyers to work with their Realtor® and lender to get the process started—they’re often surprised by the variety of options they find.”

Lore Hislop, President, Huntsville Area Association of Realtors®

Find out your interest rate options—reach out to Bryant Bank today.

3. Your Loan Officer can help you make a personalized plan

According to Hislop, a lot of homebuyers get intimidated about the mortgage process after researching it, either thinking they’ll have to jump through a million hoops or they’re tied down to one plan.

That’s where Bryant Bank comes in, offering personalized options for each client instead of a cookie cutter approach.

“We don’t have a call center. You always have a personal number for your lender that you can call—even on the weekends. We offer that old-fashioned small town banking experience.”

Scott Ellis, VP Mortgage Loan Officer, Bryant Bank

Before drawing up a mortgage plan, Bryant Bank Loan Officers sit down with clients to ask them about their goals and put together a plan that fits their priorities.

“Many times, a client will call and say, ‘The rates have dropped—I need to refinance.’ We’ll sit down and take the time to actually plug the numbers. Sometimes, even if it means losing the transaction, we’ll advise if it doesn’t make sense to refinance—maybe they won’t recoup the savings or plan on moving too soon in the future.

We want to be that point of contact where clients can bounce ideas off of us and get a real, true answer.”

Michelle Robinson, President, Bryant Bank Mortgage

4. Your mortgage lender can be your bank too

Especially for out-of-state buyers, it can be advantageous for your mortgage lender to be your bank too.

“In general, the cost of living for the Huntsville market is significantly lower than other states where most buyers are coming from. We’re seeing a lot of those buyers utilize cash or unique product offerings. As opposed to other types of lenders, banks—like Bryant—offer more product options and other avenues for mature buyers.”

Lore Hislop, President, Huntsville Area Association of Realtors®

Bryant Bank also prioritizes local connection and community, making it a great resource for Huntsville newcomers.

“This is the wonderful thing being a bank versus a freestanding mortgage company—we have a physical branch presence in Huntsville. So not only can we assist with the mortgage, but we can help with a banking relationship.

We can also offer other connections in terms of schools, healthcare providers and more to help the client get settled.

Michelle Robinson, President, Bryant Bank Mortgage

Ready to get the homebuying process started? Reach out to Bryant Bank to discuss mortgage options today.

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