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.
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.
Whether you're buying in Ankeny, Waukee, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, West Des Moines, Norwalk, or anywhere across Central Iowa, I can help you get pre-approved and close on time. As a Des Moines-based mortgage lender with 10+ years of experience, I specialize in first-time homebuyer loans, VA loans, FHA loans, USDA loans, conventional mortgages, and Iowa down payment assistance programs.
I live here, invest here, and lend here. This city is home, and 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, and 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-language guides on Iowa mortgage rates, first-time homebuyer programs, VA loans, FHA loans, and what's happening in the Des Moines housing market, written by a local lender who's actually in the trenches.
Iowa mortgage rates held steady this month, but waiting has real costs for Des Moines area buyers. Here's what I'm telling every client in Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston, and Urbandale who is sitting on the fence.
Iowa has down payment grant programs that don't require repayment. Here's exactly what's available to first-time buyers in Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, and across the state.
IFA FirstHome, Homes for Iowans, and the Key Mortgage Group grant all work differently. Here's how to figure out which program puts the most money in your pocket at closing.
Most buyers start touring homes before they're actually ready to make an offer. Here's what your lender should cover with you first, so you don't lose the house you want.
VA loans are the best mortgage product available for qualifying veterans and service members. Here's everything Iowa veterans should know before buying a home in Des Moines or anywhere in the state.
The data tells one story. What I'm hearing from buyers and agents every day tells another. Here's an honest look at inventory, competition, and pricing across the Des Moines metro right now.
Most Iowa buyers can get pre-approved the same day. Here's exactly what documents you need, what we're looking at, and how to make the process as fast as possible.
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, and 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, and 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.
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 everything that makes Des Moines worth calling 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.
Consistently top-rated on Yelp. Creative small plates, outstanding cocktails, and an intimate atmosphere. One of the best date night spots in the city.
A Des Moines institution. Classic French brasserie, moules frites, duck confit, great steak. Feels like a special occasion every single time.
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.
