Blog
Meet Allison Byrd, Mortgage Loan Originator, in our Baton Rouge Office
For Allison Byrd, a mortgage loan originator with us since 2017, work days begin early with her 10-month-old son Conner by her side, enjoying his breakfast at the kitchen table while she checks up on loan files and emails clients.
Her days also often end late – after she and her husband, Matthew, have put their three sons (Warren is 5, Robert, almost 4) to bed, she has (amazingly!) fit in an evening workout, and sent her last email for the day.
Have you been monitoring the historically low mortgage rates we’ve been seeing since July? Are you ready to take the mortgage plunge?
Are you scanning Realtor.com and other home sites daily and bookmarking your favorite homes? Or better yet, you might already be working with a trusted realtor to tour houses on your wishlist.
Great! You have a fantastic start in the home-buying process.
For 13 years now, Shawn Rogers has served as a dedicated Mortgage Loan Originator at Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Home Loans’ branch in Gretna, Louisiana. Having spent over two decades in the mortgage loan industry, Shawn is carrying the torch of the family business in a way.
She’s seen a lot of change, had a front seat view of many of her (repeat!) client’s home-buying successes, and has found passion and purpose both inside and outside the office.
If you were headed into spring or summer thinking maybe this would be the year you bought your first home, is 2020 still a good time to buy? Or should you wait?
It is hard to make big decisions these days. There is so much uncertainty.
In a recent interview on NPR, best-selling author Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project & Happier at Home) shared excellent insights on how to deal with anxiety and indecision. Her advice may help you get clarity on big decisions such as whether or not now is a good time to buy your first home.
Celebrating the Future Superstars of Mortgage Lending on National Intern Day 2020!
On National Intern Day 2020, we’re pausing to recognize and celebrate the future leaders of our world: Our interns who help keep things running seamlessly for our clients at Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Home Loans.
It’s National Intern Day 2020! On this special day, we’d like to recognize and celebrate the future leaders of our world: our interns! At Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Home Loans, that means expressing appreciation for our future superstars of mortgage lending.
The smartest money you will ever spend when buying a home
Buying a home is an exciting time, filled with dreams for the future. Homebuyers often envision what their new home will look like once they have moved in and put their personal touch into it - or perhaps even making a few improvements.
One of the best ways to ensure you have a great home buying experience is to get a premium home inspection before closing on your home. A general home inspection covers the basics. If you are willing to spend a little extra money, your inspector may be able to dig deeper to look for potential issues with mold, termites, asbestos & radon.
Meet Don McPherson, Mortgage Loan Officer & Coach
At Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Home Loans, we are incredibly proud of our people. We recognize and celebrate the passion our team members have for the important work they do, their dedication to exceptional client service, and their inspiring involvement in the communities we serve. We want you to know our people too. Read on for our first installment of a new blog series that spotlights our hardworking employees.
Building your dream house is easier with a one (1) time construction loan
Searching existing homes for sale on the MLS doesn’t always result in finding the home you’ve been dreaming about.
Sure, you might find a kitchen you like in one home or a patio you like on another home. You’ll find great ideas and inspiration.
Listings of homes on the MLS may result in a home in the perfect location, but it may not be your dream home, Gulf Coast Bank Home Loans One (1) time construction loan enables you to purchase that home in the perfect location and renovate it to make it your dream home.
The smart way to research customer reviews before choosing a lender
A lot of businesses make promises that are hard to measure. After all, how do you quantify things like “great service” or “personal attention”?
The mortgage business is oftentimes driven by referrals. When you do a good job for someone, they may refer you to their lender so you can have that same great experience.
The “new norm” - nearly virtual home loan closings
Everybody is adjusting to the “new” norm these days.
We’re going to “drive-through” birthdays, wearing masks when we go to the store, and learning how to work remotely better than we ever did before!
As a local community bank or local lender Critical Financial Services Firm, we’ve worked hard at adapting our processes to the “new norm” so that you continue to get the services you need with the personal touch you’ve come to expect from our team.
Facts vs. Myths About First Time Home Buyers
Owning a home is the ultimate American dream. But sadly, more than half of people who don’t already own a home think it will be difficult for them to buy based on their current financial situation. We want to change these numbers by addressing common myths which often prevent people from starting the process.
10 Rules When Applying for a Mortgage Loan
You nailed the loan pre-approval process and now you’re under contract to buy a home.
What could possibly go wrong?
A lot—that’s what!
How Do You Know You’re Ready To Buy a Home?
With the busy holiday season finally over, our attention along the Gulf Coast turns to Mardi Gras, warmer weather and all things outside! The housing market also starts to heat up, so if you are planning to buy a new home, it’s a great time to get started. Regardless of where you are looking to buy, here are some reasons to get started NOW rather than waiting until the last minute...
Getting Ready To Buy a Home in 5 Easy Steps
Buying a home isn’t something you just roll out of bed and decide to do one day. It takes planning & saving. It takes time. In order to help you make the process as stress-free as possible, we’ve organized a list of 5 easy steps you can take to get yourself ready to buy a home...
Buying a home this spring? The time to start is now.
With the busy holiday season finally over, our attention along the Gulf Coast turns to Mardi Gras, warmer weather and all things outside! The housing market also starts to heat up, so if you are planning to buy a new home, it’s a great time to get started. Regardless of where you are looking to buy, here are some reasons to get started NOW rather than waiting...