Home Buyers June 26, 2025

4 Important Benefits of Working with a Local Lender

The home-buying process involves many decisions. One of them is choosing a mortgage lender. Some people may think all lenders are pretty much the same, but that’s not the case. You want to work with a trusted professional. Working with a local lender can significantly increase your chances of success. Read on to find out how.

1. Personalized Experience

Before exploring neighborhoods and open houses, you need to get pre-approved for a loan. While there are many options, including your current bank and various online providers, it’s hard to beat the personalized service of a great local lender. Buying a home is most likely the biggest purchase you will ever make. Whether you’re a first-time or third-time home buyer, feeling comfortable asking questions is important. Using a local lender gives you easy access to people who can answer your questions in person or on the phone. This is extra helpful if you have a unique or complex situation that requires a more nuanced and hands-on approach.

2. Great Track Record

Typically, local lenders live in the community and are dedicated to and enthusiastic about the area they serve. Since they’re a local resident, client feedback and their reputation is important to them. Do your research and choose a lender with a proven track record. Help your offer stand out by having a lender with a well-earned reputation for being responsive and getting loans closed on time. And remember, local lenders have a vested interest in making sure each loan closes smoothly and efficiently. They know that you may be bumping into them at the grocery store or chatting about your experience with neighbors.

3. Trusted Reputation

Overall, local lenders appeal to sellers and real estate agents because they have better reputations for closing on time. This can be especially important if you’re trying to win in a multiple offer situation. Sometimes sellers or agents have had bad past experiences with national banks or online lenders. If you have a trusted local lender, this could be the one thing that tips the scales in your favor. At Windermere, we’re proud to partner with Generations Home Loans.

“Generations Home Loans works hard to offer the best local financing options to Windermere clients,” explains Cherie Kesti, Generations Home Loans Mortgage Advisor.  “The reputation of Generations as a local lender is instrumental in helping the Real Estate Brokers and their clients gain a sense of confidence that their transaction is going to close on time, with the best financing options available. I’ve known sellers who picked a Generations-approved buyer amongst other offers because they had a past positive experience with Generations and knew their transaction would close as agreed.”

4. Community Knowledge

Local lenders have a deep understanding of the community and the local housing market. This makes them a valuable asset. They have personal connections with everyone involved in the home buying process including real estate agents, appraisers, and underwriters. A local lender can serve as another knowledgeable guide.

For more information on the important benefits of working with a local lender, contact an experienced Windermere Real Estate Agent.