How many of you Lexingtonians have contemplated purchasing a new home, but hesitated due to the uncertainty of market trends? We'll admit it — we're intimidated by the home-buying process too.

That is until we met with the mortgage team at Central Bank. We sat down with them one-on-one to chat about mortgage loans + the borrowing process. Here's what we learned.

Central Bank welcomes its customers to pay them a visit, anytime. | Photo by Central Bank

Everyone’s income and credit score look a little different, but, generally speaking, there are five things you should know about mortgage loans with Central Bank:

Central Bank is locally-owned and operated since 1946, making it easy to sit down in person with a lender and get to know them on a personal level.
Several programs exist that are designed to help individuals who may not qualify for traditional mortgage options. Central Bank’s lenders will present you with the options that make the most sense for your particular circumstances.
When customers aren’t able to qualify for a mortgage loan, lenders at Central Bank are willing to help them by referring them to resources that can help them get their finances in order so they’re more prepared in the future.
You don't have to have a 20% down payment in cash to buy a home — there are grants and assistance options available and options for little or no down payment.
Central Bank’s lenders keep you informed throughout the home-buying process and make sure you understand next steps along the way. They are always available for questions and want to be sure you feel comfortable and informed the entire time.

“I don’t care what your home price is, you’re going to get treated the same," said Cathy Himes, the Secondary Market Mortgage Manager at Central Bank. “We’re going to go the extra distance for each and every one of our customers.”

What we're still talking about:

We'll be honest — before we walked into Central Bank, the home-buying process made us nervous. But their team greeted us at the door, sat with us in private, and explained the process in a way that was approachable. They treated us like a neighbor, not like a potential client.

The best part was that we walked out of there with a game plan and knew exactly what kind of house we could afford. It was so much easier than expected.

How you can experience this:

Call the mortgage office at Central Bank to make an appointment with one of their lenders.

Pro tip: Tell them LEXtoday sent you and Cathy might make you a holiday wreath.

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Meeting with a mortgage lender at Central Bank
Website: centralbank.com/mortgage
Address: Multiple locations
Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram *

Member FDIC. Loans subject to credit approval. NMLS ID: 440304. Equal Housing Lender