I’m Louie Wickett, a Des Moines mortgage lender and Branch Manager at Key Mortgage Group in Urbandale, Iowa. From the first conversation to the closing table and beyond, I educate my clients, set clear expectations, and deliver for them and their agents.
Whatever your situation, first home, next home, investment, or refi, I'll walk you through every option, set honest expectations, and be there at every step.
Type your question and get an instant answer. If it needs a personal answer, it comes straight to me and I’ll reply myself.
Instant answers are AI-generated general information, not financial advice, a loan offer or a rate quote. Don’t include Social Security numbers, account numbers or other sensitive details.
Between our internal Key Mortgage Group grant and Iowa Finance Authority programs, you may have more help than you think. One conversation and I’ll tell you exactly what’s available for your situation.
Once you have an accepted offer, here’s exactly what happens, step by step. No guessing, no wondering. You’ll know what’s coming before it arrives.
Based in Urbandale and lending across the Des Moines metro, every corner of Iowa, and big cities and small towns in six more states.
Questions? See the mortgage FAQ.
I live here, invest here, and lend here. This city is home. Helping people own a piece of it is what I do every day.
Between state programs and what we offer internally at Key Mortgage Group, Iowa first-time buyers have real options to reduce what they bring to closing. The right program depends on your situation. That's exactly what I'm here to figure out with you.
Key Mortgage Group offers an internal grant exclusively for first-time buyers. Real money applied toward your down payment at closing, no repayment required. Not every loan type or situation qualifies. Reach out and I'll tell you in one conversation whether you do.
A grant for first-time buyers paired with an IFA FirstHome mortgage. Below-market interest rates, no credit score impact on rate, and a free Iowa Title Guaranty certificate at closing.
Larger assistance amount than the grant, structured as a second loan with no monthly payments. Repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage.
The only IFA program open to repeat buyers. Competitive rate structure, no credit score impact on rate, and grant assistance available at closing.
The largest IFA grant available. Pairs with either the FirstHome or Homes for Iowans mortgage. Funds are limited annually. Confirm availability early in your process.
Not a down payment program, but too valuable to skip. Reduces your federal tax bill by 50% of the mortgage interest you pay annually, up to $2,000 per year, for every year the home is your primary residence. Can add up to tens of thousands over the life of a loan.
Grants can't be combined, so the right choice matters. Tell me your situation and I'll cut through the noise and tell you what's actually available to you. No commitment, no hard credit pull to start.
Plain-English guides to buying a home, budgeting, loan programs and the Central Iowa housing market. Written by a lender who’s actually in the trenches.
Realtor.com graded the 100 largest metros on affordability and homebuilding, and Des Moines earned the only A+ at the top. A local lender explains what the ranking means for buyers.
Iowa replaced its homestead tax credit with a new homestead exemption starting with the 2026 assessment year. Here's how it works, who qualifies, and what it means for your property taxes.
New Iowa homeowners have to apply for the homestead exemption once with their county or city assessor by July 1. Here's exactly how to do it and when.
Active listings in the Des Moines area are up from a year ago. A local lender breaks down the fall 2026 numbers and how buyers can use the extra choice.
National housing supply reached its highest level in more than a decade in August 2026. Here's what that means for buyers and specific ways to negotiate a better deal.
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate in September 2026. Here's why the Fed doesn't directly set mortgage rates, what actually moves them, and what buyers should do.
Iowa homeowners insurance premiums rose about 28% in 2025, among the biggest increases in the country. Here's why, how it affects your mortgage payment, and how to shop smarter.
Mortgage lenders can now use VantageScore 4.0 alongside classic FICO on many loans. Here's what changed in 2026, who it could help, and how to prepare your credit.
Federal student loan repayment changed on July 1, 2026. Here's how mortgage lenders count student loan payments, and how the new repayment rules could affect how much home you qualify for.
Two-thirds of home builders were offering incentives in September 2026. Here's how rate buydowns, closing cost credits and price cuts compare, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Des Moines rents average roughly $1,000 to $1,100 a month. Here's how to compare renting and buying honestly, including the costs most calculators leave out.
The 28/36 rule is a simple way to find a comfortable house payment. Here's how it works, a worked example, and why what you're approved for isn't always what you should spend.
Inflation picked up in 2026, led by gas prices. Here's how to build a homebuying budget that holds up when everyday costs rise, with a step-by-step plan.
NAR reports the median first-time buyer is 40, while loan data puts it closer to 33. Here's what's holding first-time buyers back and practical steps to buy sooner in Iowa.
A plain-English guide to Iowa down payment assistance in 2026: IFA FirstHome, Homes for Iowans, the Military Homeownership grant, the Mortgage Credit Certificate and Key Mortgage Group's internal grant.
FHA and conventional loans are the two most common ways to buy a home. Compare down payments, credit scores, mortgage insurance and who each loan fits best.
VA loans offer eligible veterans zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance. Here's how they work in Iowa, the lesser-known benefits, and how to pair them with Iowa's Military Homeownership grant.
USDA loans let eligible buyers purchase homes in rural and many small-town areas with no down payment. Here's how eligibility works and why they're perfect for small towns in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Wisconsin.
A step-by-step guide to the mortgage process after your offer is accepted: rate lock, disclosures, appraisal, underwriting, clear to close and closing day.
What closing costs Iowa homebuyers pay, how Iowa's state-run Title Guaranty system works, and ways to reduce your cash to close.
Down payment, closing costs, reserves and moving costs: a realistic checklist of how much cash you need to buy a home, and how Iowa programs can lower it.
Pre-qualification and pre-approval sound alike but carry very different weight with sellers. Here's what each one means, what documents you need, and how long a pre-approval lasts.
Your debt-to-income ratio is one of the main numbers lenders use to approve a mortgage. Learn how it's calculated, what counts, typical limits by loan type, and how to improve it.
Buying in a small town in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas or Wisconsin? Here's how appraisals, wells, septic systems, insurance and financing work differently, and how to plan for them.
Homes are sitting longer and buyers are more cautious. Here's what real estate agents should expect from a lending partner to keep transactions on track and clients happy.
A practical guide for real estate agents on structuring offers with builder incentives, seller concessions and Iowa down payment assistance, without running into loan program limits.
A local lender's guide to Des Moines-area suburbs: Ankeny, Waukee, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Norwalk, Altoona and Grimes, plus how to compare them beyond price.
Iowa's Mortgage Credit Certificate gives eligible first-time buyers a federal tax credit for part of their mortgage interest every year. Here's how it works and who qualifies.
How to decide whether refinancing your mortgage makes sense: the break-even calculation, common reasons to refinance, cash-out vs. rate-and-term, and when to wait.
Fewer buyers, motivated sellers and more negotiating room: why buying a home in fall or winter in Iowa can pay off, plus inspection tips for cold-weather house hunting.
I’ve spent over a decade helping Iowa families get into homes and stay ahead financially once they do. My job doesn’t end at closing. I’m in it for the long run, which is why my clients call me their lender for life.
Before lending, I was a football coach at Grand View University, including the 2013 national championship season. That background shapes how I work: preparation, communication, and a commitment to making sure every client knows exactly where they stand at every step.
Outside of mortgages, I’m a co-owner of Calia Capital, a multifamily real estate investment firm based in Central Iowa. That firsthand investing experience gives me a perspective most loan officers don’t have. I understand what it means to make long-term financial decisions, not just close a transaction.
I’m licensed in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Florida, Colorado, Kansas, and Wisconsin. My business is built entirely on referrals, which tells you everything you need to know about how I treat people.
Outside of work, I’m a proud husband and dad. I know firsthand how important it is to find a place your family can call home. I bring that understanding to every client conversation I have.
That’s part of why I take this seriously. When I help a family close on a home, I know exactly what that moment means. It’s not just a transaction.
As Branch Manager, I’m backed by a team of experienced loan officers who share the same commitment to client experience. When you work with LouieLends, you’re getting an entire team in your corner. Not just one person.
Every file gets the attention it deserves. Every client gets communicated with. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to. Every single time.
My entire business is referral-based. That only works if I treat every client the way I’d want a family member treated. Every time.
No surprises at the closing table. You’ll always know where your loan stands, what’s coming next, and what it means for you.
I live here, invest here, and lend here. I know the Des Moines market in a way no out-of-state lender can match.
No commitment, no pressure. Whether you're ready to apply, just starting to think about buying, or a real estate agent looking for a reliable lending partner. Reach out and I'll get back to you personally.
Every client deserves to fully understand the process before they're in it. That means no jargon, no rushing, and no surprises. Here's how I approach every single transaction.
Before we talk numbers, we talk goals. I want to understand where you are, where you want to go, and what matters most to you in this process. Most people come in thinking they already know what loan they want. And sometimes they're right. But often, once we dig in, there's a better path they didn't know existed.
I break down every loan option in plain English. What does a conventional loan actually mean for you? How does FHA compare? Is there a down payment assistance program that fits your situation? I won't move forward until you genuinely understand the difference and feel good about the direction we're going.
This isn't just good service. It's what prevents problems. An educated buyer is a confident buyer, and a confident buyer closes without chaos.
The number one complaint people have about lenders is communication. They don't hear from their loan officer, they don't know what's happening with their file, and they find out about problems at the worst possible moment: the closing table.
That doesn't happen with me. From the moment we start working together, I map out exactly what the process looks like: every step, every timeline, every document I'll need from you. You'll know what's coming before it arrives, and you'll always know where your loan stands.
I proactively communicate. I don't wait for you to ask. If something changes, you hear from me first. If there's a potential issue, we address it early. If everything is on track, I still check in. That's the standard.
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of someone's life. The experience around that decision matters just as much as the loan itself. I take that seriously, for buyers and for the real estate agents who trust me with their clients.
For buyers: I'm available. I pick up the phone. I answer texts. I make time for the questions that feel silly and the ones that keep you up at night. My job isn't done at closing. I'm your lender for life, which means I'm here for the refinance, the next purchase, and every financial milestone in between.
For real estate agents: I understand that your reputation is on the line every time you refer a client to a lender. I protect that. I communicate with you directly, I flag potential issues early, and I do everything in my power to make sure your transaction closes, cleanly and on time.
Most lenders are focused on the close. I'm focused on the relationship. That means I stay in touch after closing, checking in on anniversaries, monitoring rates, and making sure you're always in the best position possible.
When you're ready for your next home, your refinance, or your first investment property, you shouldn't have to start over with someone new. I already know you. I already know your goals. That continuity is part of the service.
See what a monthly payment looks like, then figure out a price range that fits your budget. These are estimates to help you plan. I’ll give you exact numbers once we talk.
Property taxes in the Des Moines metro often run around 1.5% to 2% of the home’s value per year, depending on the city and school district. Ask me for the exact figure on a specific home.
Send me what you entered and I’ll follow up with your real payment, today’s rates, and any Iowa grants you may qualify for. No hard credit pull, no pressure.
These calculators give estimates for planning purposes only and are subject to market conditions. They are not a loan offer, pre-approval, or commitment to lend. Actual rates, payments, mortgage insurance, taxes and approval depend on your credit, income, assets, property and loan program. Contact Louie Wickett (NMLS #1212160) for a personalized quote.
As someone who lives, works, invests, and raises a family here, I know this city inside and out. Here’s my honest local guide to Des Moines and Central Iowa: where to eat, drink, play, pick apples, and everything you’ll need to set up your new home.
Widely considered the best restaurant in Des Moines. Marble tables, gold ceiling inlays, handmade pasta and prime-cut beef, all locally sourced. Housed inside the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines. An experience, not just a meal.
USDA Prime steaks only with beautiful views of downtown and an award-winning wine list. OpenTable Diner’s Choice winner. The premier steakhouse in the city. Great for client dinners or a special occasion.
One of Des Moines’ most beloved Italian spots. House-made pasta, wood-fired flavors, and a warm East Village atmosphere. Great for a date night or celebrating a closing.
The go-to sushi spot in Des Moines. Fresh, creative rolls and solid Japanese staples in a relaxed setting. A local staple that consistently delivers.
One of the most beloved spots in Des Moines. Great service, fresh Italian food, and a vibe that works for every occasion. Reliable, consistent, and always packed.
Home of the best burger in Des Moines. Warm wood interior, zinc bar, open-hearth kitchen. World-class tavern fare in a timeless space.
Stylishly plated Southern classics: meatloaf sandwich, chicken-fried steak. In a stunning space with breathtaking chandeliers. Unique and unforgettable.
Mediterranean-inspired with local ingredients. Rustic, relaxed, great patio. Spanish, Italian, and Moroccan flavors all on one menu. Simple dishes done with exceptional quality.
Top-rated year after year. Upscale dining on the west side with seasonal menus, impeccable service, and a wine list that punches above its weight.
The best-kept Mexican secret in Des Moines. Colorful, casual, and the birria and carne asada tacos are as good as it gets anywhere in the Midwest.
The go-to breakfast spot in Des Moines. Fresh local ingredients, friendly staff, and a menu that hits every craving. Multiple locations across the metro. Always packed for good reason.
Southern comfort food done right. Chicken and waffles, biscuits, creative cocktails. Hard to beat the price for the quality. Perfect for a weekend brunch with the family.
I’m a local. I can answer questions about neighborhoods, schools, and golf courses. And then help you finance the home. One lender who knows the city inside and out.
