Ames area mortgage lender recommendations

Avoid Wells Fargo if you can. We went through them in Ames and it was a horrible experience. In most cases you aren't going to see a huge difference in rates, but the difference lies in how well they handle the process. In my experience, credit unions will generally go out of their way to help make things easy for you and explain the process. When we went through WF, they just told us to sign and initial without really going through the paperwork. We were constantly having to call and make sure things happened like the appraisal (which in the end didn't by the closing date).

While this may be just one bad agent, we were so turned off with them that we just didn't want to deal with them again

Once the loan is setup, I've never understood why it matters if they end up selling it. Just setup an automatic payment and you really don't have to deal with them again for 15-30 years.

That sounds like one bad agent. If you know who it was, report them to WF for review in case they are still there. Although if you originated your loan in 2007-2008, it wouldn't surprise me if they weren't there anymore. Shortcuts like what you described is part of what damaged the market.
 
This is correct. WF is currently the largest servicer of mortgages in the nation (just under 40%) and they keep it simple with "vanilla" mortgages without all the derivatives that got the industry in trouble in 2007-2008. I can't formally recommend WF since it's against my contract due to where I work within the company, but what I said holds.
assuming you work at wf, your own company wont let you promote them?
 
assuming you work at wf, your own company wont let you promote them?

Yes, I work at WF. Yes, I can promote them, that's what I was doing with that post with the facts. However, I cannot recommend that he, nor anyone else, goes and originates their loan with WF as part of my specific position.
 
If you're not a big wig......

Expect to get below average service, and expect for the process to take about 90 days @ wells fargo.
 
Yes, I work at WF. Yes, I can promote them, that's what I was doing with that post with the facts. However, I cannot recommend that he, nor anyone else, goes and originates their loan with WF as part of my specific position.

The first rule of Wells Fargo. Do not talk about Wells Fargo.
The second rule of Wells Fargo. Do not talk about Wells Fargo.
And so on...
 
The first rule of Wells Fargo. Do not talk about Wells Fargo.
The second rule of Wells Fargo. Do not talk about Wells Fargo.
And so on...
Sorry if the company hurt you in someway...? It's part of my contract due to the department (Government Regulation & Loss Control), but if I was in sales, I'd be talking my *** off.
 
Early last year someone from the Ames area mentioned the university of iowa credit union of this site. So i gave them a try, when i refinanced last summer they had the lowest rates and lowest closing costs. All i had to do was put $5 in a savings account to become a member. They service story and polk counties with their office in Grinnell. Completed application online and a gentleman came to house to sign the loan docs. Our loan was sold to US Bank. They don't charge for online loan payments. My previous mortgage was sold to Iowa Bankers Mortgage and for a onetime online payment they charge somewhere around $8 to $10, can't remember for sure but thought it was a ripoff. Could have set it up for monthly auto debit, but I wanted to freedom to pay extra every now and then.
 
There are some small banks out there that will sell your mortgage but retain the servicing of the mortgage. What that means is you would still make your payments to where you originated your loan. I currently work for a bank that does this. You essentially get the best of both worlds...a long-term fixed rate mortgage with local servicing (e.g. not CitiBank, Chase, BOA, or any of the "big guys").
 
I think it really depends on what you need/expect. For us, we needed a mortgage loan and that's it. Since we refinanced two years ago I have made zero calls to the lender. What does "service" have to do with it? What exactly do people do that needs servicing?

You'd be surprised. For the most part, if you make your payments, pay your taxes and insurance (if they're not escrowed) and go on your merry way, servicing means nothing to you. However, if you hit a rough spot and need payment assistance, stop paying your taxes/insurance, file bankruptcy, etc.....then you're going to need a good servicer....
 
First National Bank of Ames has been good to me. They'll sell your loan to Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corporation which is in Johnston. I've never had any issues with IBMC.

I have two mortgages that were initiated at First Nat'l in Ames and both are now with Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corp. It is handy to have them in Johnston. They have been good to work with. You might save time by going directly to them...
 
Back in the dark ages when I was a student at ISU I banked with First American Bank. Moved away, changed banks. Ten years later we move back into the area and because of positive experience in my past, went back to them. We have an excellent credit record, etc., We locked in a rate, bought a house and waited to take possession. Twenty-four hours before we closed, they call us and jump the rate a half a percent. WTH! Lots of talking in circles, yadda, yadda. The representative even said, "You know, it doesn't really jump your monthly payment all that much." Astounding - are people really this stupid? Wait, don't answer that, I know the answer.

Stern conversations occur. We immediately went to our current bank in western Iowa, they met the rate and it was smooth sailing from there. We walked away from First American - left all our accounts in western Iowa because we can do everything electronically and they treated us well. We're still with them.

A month later one of my coworkers had the exact same thing happen to them so it wasn't a crazy fluke, miscommunication, or odd occurrence with us. And yes, they still signed on the dotted line with First American.
:mad:
 
VisionBank can either go through Iowa Bankers or directly to Freddie Mac with their mortgage loans. They are a seller/servicer for Freddie Mac. That means you still make the payments directly to them and can talk to a real person if you need help. Going directly to Freddie Mac gets you a little lower rate too. Their closing cost are about the same or a little lower than most. Call Nathan at the S Duff office he is very experienced and very easy to work with.
 
First National Bank of Ames has been good to me. They'll sell your loan to Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corporation which is in Johnston. I've never had any issues with IBMC.

Mine was sold to IBMC as well and I also haven't had any issues. Very easy to set up bi-monthly payments and access your mortgage info online. Seeing how much interest you're paying each month can really serve as motivation to throw everything you can at your mortgage.
 
Most banks, even local ones, will sell their mortgages. You need to ask them directly if they keep it "in-house".

In that vein, the mortgage lender you use doesn't really matter. QUOTE]

wrong

never pay an origination fee. In eastern Iowa, Hills Bank and U of Iowa Comm. CU are two that never charge Origination fee. Not sure about Central Iowa. Seek out a regional or local bank or CU
 
I have two mortgages that were initiated at First Nat'l in Ames and both are now with Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corp. It is handy to have them in Johnston. They have been good to work with. You might save time by going directly to them...

IBMC doesn't originate loans the bank does this, so you can't get a loan directly from IBMC. IBMC buys the loan from the bank and does the servicing.
 
We had a good experience going through Valley Bank in Ames back in 2009. They sold it and we deal with Nationwide in Des Moines now (I think Ginnie Mae owns the mortgage). We're going through a refi with Nationwide directly now which has been pretty straightforward.
 
Most banks, even local ones, will sell their mortgages. You need to ask them directly if they keep it "in-house".

In that vein, the mortgage lender you use doesn't really matter. Joe Smith can't "get you a better rate" than Bob Jones. They all have the same rates so just go with whoever you like better. We bought ours through Countrywide and then refinances with a one-branch local bank who ended up selling it. 98K left!!
On the rate thats not exactly true, brokers have flexability on what they offer not only in rate but on back points and some fixed costs and some will try and get what they can out of you. My wife is in the business having been at a couple different companies before going to a traditional bank but she will be the first to tell you that there is little difference except the false security of the traditional bank being set. Shop around (they hate this)for and let them know you are shopping around and they will get you the best they can. Also take all costs into account (some charge upfront to buy down the rate etc.)And and look at the true cost of the loan. Also if you know someone you will likely get the lowest rate possible, people often don't want someone they know doing there loan but often worth it. I would check with the Iowa state credit union as they often are hard to beat and have less sale pressures, a local bank, and a Des moines bank like bankers trust, peoples in waukee/clive etc. And a mortgage brokerage though there are not many left that are local so take your pick... once everyone knows your shopping the rate won't be total cost wont be too different. also credit unions usually keep a higher percentage of stable buyers in house but it is always a crap shoot as all sell most of there loans. We couldnt use her bank for our loan (ethics) and we chose a dsm credit union and after 7the years they havent sold it.
 
Last edited:

Help Support Us

Become a patron