2105 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208
Financing A Home Purchase
Financing a home purchase is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make—and it can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start or who to trust.
Your best first step is finding a trusted local loan officer who understands the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky market. Working with a local lender ensures you get personalized guidance, smooth communication, and an appraiser who truly knows local neighborhood values.
It is also important to get more than one opinion. It is very easy to go to the bank where you have an account and speak with a loan officer—and you should! But not all lenders offer the same rates, fees, or loan options.
Lenders You Should Consult:
Your Local Bank or Credit Union: Great for existing customer relationship discounts and local, personalized service.
Independent Mortgage Brokers: Brokers aren't tied to a single bank—they shop dozens of wholesale lenders to find you the most competitive rates and unique loan programs.
Direct Mortgage Lenders: Specializing exclusively in home loans, they often offer fast processing times and streamlined digital applications.
Key Loan Programs to Explore:
Conventional Loans: Flexible options with down payments as low as 3% for buyers with solid credit.
FHA Loans: Ideal for first-time buyers, offering down payments starting at 3.5% and more forgiving credit requirements.
VA Loans: Incredible $0 down payment options and competitive rates for military service members, veterans, and eligible spouses.
USDA & Down Payment Assistance: Special 0% down loans for eligible suburban/rural communities, along with local state grant programs (like OHFA in Ohio or KHC in Kentucky) that can help cover your upfront costs.
Before contacting a loan officer, you may want to gather some of the documents the loan officer will need to help you secure a loan.
The mortgage pre-approval process is essentially the start of your loan application. Lenders will want proof of income, assets, and credit history. You’ll also need to provide identification and verify your employment. Some of the most common documents that are required of each borrower (co-signers also) include:
Documents to collect:
W2 statements (from the last 2 years)
Paystubs (last three to six months)
Bank statements
Driver's license/Photo ID/Passport
Tax returns
Social Security number or
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Difference between Pre-Approval and Pre-Qualification
A mortgage pre-qualification is not the same as pre-approval. Unlike a pre-approval, getting pre-qualified doesn’t require an in-depth review of your finances or a hard credit check. You can complete a pre-qualification on the computer without a loan officer. When it comes to choosing between getting pre-qualified versus pre-approved, a pre-approval will be more comprehensive and give you a more accurate look at the types of mortgages you qualify for.
PRO TIP: Most realtors recommend getting pre-approved before you start touring homes. Knowing your budget upfront saves time, helps narrow your search, and allows you to submit a strong offer as soon as you find the right home. Gathering your financial documents can feel tedious, but it’s the single best step you can take to make your home purchase seamless!
Mortgage Tools
There are plenty of mortgage calculators available. We have one below that you can plug in your numbers and see your monthly payment.
Online
We have two that you can download and see the amortization schedule. You will need Excel or the ability to convert the spreadsheet.
Excel Spreadsheet Downloads
Estimate your monthly payment using our mortgage calculator below. Try adjusting the down payment or interest rate to see how simple tweaks can change your monthly numbers!
