If you are interested in buying a home in the Lake Nona area or are a resident wanting to refinance a home, Guaranteed Rate is the mortgage company fit just for you. Guaranteed Rate is a Top 10 Retail Lender in all 50 states (2016 national ranking by volume reported as of 4/24/17 provided by www.insidemortgagefinance.com. Other institutional lenders, private individuals, and housing finance agencies have been removed.). Lucky for us, they have an office right in our backyard on Tavistock Lakes Boulevard.
One of the many perks of choosing Guaranteed Rate is that you’ll be working with people who know the ins and outs specific to the Lake Nona market. Eric Whitten, branch manager and vice president of mortgage lending for Guaranteed Rate, has lived in Lake Nona since 2013 and has lived in Orlando since 1985. He is well-versed in local tax rates and knows what homeowner’s insurance will cost buyers in this area.
Another plus for choosing Guaranteed Rate is the technology they offer to deliver a seamless process for all borrowers and referral partners involved. There is no going back and forth with paperwork; it is all done securely online at your convenience. Accessed through their website, they have different loan programs tailored to your specific situation. The Intuitive Loan Finder offers customized loan options (this requires a free credit score). A client can also get a free credit approval within a few minutes using their Digital Mortgage tool. It allows for a digital and secure upload of all your relevant financial documentation. “The biggest advantage we have over most companies is the utilizing of technology. We’ve trademarked what we call the World’s First Digital Mortgage. The borrower can complete their mortgage online if they want to without having to talk to me. They can choose their own program, pull their own credit report, upload all of the documents that are needed. It allows them to be in control of their mortgage process,” said Whitten. This eliminates the hassle of phone calls and faxing information. And, of course, Whitten and his team are available for those who still prefer the personal touch of a phone call or face-to-face meeting. There is also a mobile app that you can access from your mobile device that offers just as much security and convenience.
Whitten said that a popular misconception that many potential buyers have is that they think they need to acquire a 20 percent down payment before taking out a loan for a house. This is not always necessarily the case. There are so many different loan programs, and each is designed to best serve you and your qualifications, which is why it’s so important to work with an expert. There are program options that include as little as three percent down for qualified buyers. “I’m fortunate enough to provide a product to people that, at the end of the day after the transaction’s done, there’s a long-lasting effect … the value of the service excites me because I get to watch people move into their homes,” explained Whitten.
Guaranteed Rate has been around since 2000. It is important to do business with people who are mortgage experts who know mortgage products, especially if they are local to the community. If you or someone you know is interested in settling in Lake Nona or needs to refinance a house, please feel free to stop by Guaranteed Rate at 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., Suite 400, office 446. You can also visit their website at GuaranteedRate.com to learn more.
