Iowa Mortgage Lender | Des Moines to Every Small Town | Louie Wickett, 380+ 5-Star Reviews

I'm Louie Wickett, Branch Manager and mortgage loan officer at Key Mortgage Group in Urbandale. I've originated home loans in Iowa since 2014, my business is 100% referral-based, and I'm proud to have earned 380+ five-star Google reviews from Iowa homebuyers and real estate agents.

The Des Moines metro

I live in Urbandale and lend all over Central Iowa every day:

Des MoinesWest Des MoinesUrbandaleAnkenyWaukeeJohnstonCliveGrimesAltoonaNorwalkPleasant HillBondurantIndianolaAdelPolk CityWinterset

Relocating? My Moving to Des Moines guide and suburb comparison are good places to start.

Every corner of Iowa

I also help buyers in Iowa's other metros and regional hubs, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport and the Quad Cities, Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Ames, Ottumwa, Mason City, Fort Dodge and Marshalltown.

And I'm just as happy to help in a town of 600 as in Des Moines. Much of Iowa is small towns and rural areas, and that's where loan programs like USDA shine, with zero down for eligible buyers. Here's what to know about buying in a small town: appraisals, wells, septic systems and more.

Iowa homebuyer programs

Iowa Finance Authority FirstHome and Homes for Iowans, with optional down payment and closing cost assistance
Military Homeownership Assistance: a $5,000 grant for eligible veterans and service members
Mortgage Credit Certificate: a yearly federal tax credit for eligible first-time buyers
Key Mortgage Group First-Time Homebuyer Grant

Read the 2026 guide to Iowa down payment assistance.

What's unique about buying in Iowa

Iowa Title Guaranty: Iowa is the only state without private title insurance. Here's how it works.
Homestead exemption: new for 2026. File by July 1.
Septic inspections: homes with private septic systems generally need a time-of-transfer inspection when sold.

Loan programs I offer in Iowa

Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, first-time buyer programs, new construction, investment property loans and refinancing.

Wherever in Iowa you're buying, let's talk. Office: 2370 NW 128th St, Urbandale, IA 50323 · 515-238-9949.

Frequently asked questions

Who is a good mortgage lender in Des Moines, Iowa?

Louie Wickett is a Branch Manager and mortgage loan officer at Key Mortgage Group in Urbandale (NMLS #1212160), with 380+ five-star Google reviews and a 100% referral-based business. He helps first-time buyers, move-up buyers, veterans and real estate agents across the Des Moines metro and all of Iowa.

Do you lend in small towns in Iowa?

Yes. Louie lends in every county in Iowa, including small towns and rural areas. USDA loans offer zero down in most eligible small towns, and the entire process can be handled remotely with a local closing.

What Iowa homebuyer programs are available?

Iowa Finance Authority programs including FirstHome, Homes for Iowans and Military Homeownership Assistance, plus the Mortgage Credit Certificate and Key Mortgage Group's internal first-time homebuyer grant.

What's different about buying a home in Iowa?

Iowa uses a state-run title system, Iowa Title Guaranty, instead of private title insurance. New homeowners should file for the homestead exemption with their county assessor by July 1, and homes with private septic systems generally need a time-of-transfer inspection when sold.