Buying a home is a huge commitment. Even refinancing is a pretty big undertaking. Both come with some risks, but few things are as rewarding as owning your own home – especially on the day you make that final payment and it’s truly 100% yours.

You want to make the best decisions you can. Choosing the right house is the part most of us find daunting. No home seems to be entirely perfect, but they all offer something unique or promising. The right loan is a pretty big deal as well. Interest rates always matter, but when the loan amount often exceeds $100,000, every fraction of a percentage is a game changer. Then there’s insurance and escrow and property taxes and… it can all become a little overwhelming.

We can’t make those decisions for you, but we can help you find possible lenders and offer you some insights on terminology you should know and common pitfalls to look out for. Our online financial tools will let you plug in your basic info, down payments, and other variables so you can become comfortable in advance with a variety of loan options before committing. We’ll even be encouraging along the way.

And let’s not overlook the big picture. Owning your home is, for most of us, the biggest investment we’ll ever make in our lives. It’s also a rather major accomplishment. You’re doing it. You’re providing and protecting those you hold dearest. But that’s not all.

Your home is a major investment. If all goes well, it holds or gains value over the years and becomes a source of collateral as well as personal pride. It’s a safety net for financial security. There are other things that matter in this life, but in terms of material possessions, this may be the biggest. That makes purchasing and financing it steps we should take very seriously.