Assurance moves from #2 to #1 spot on USDA Rural Development ranking
December 23, 2015 – Baton Rouge, LA – Assurance Financial Group LLC, an independent residential mortgage lender based in Baton Rouge, was the top retail originator of USDA guaranteed single-family rural housing loans in Louisiana in fiscal 2015, according to USDA Rural Development, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Assurance Financial originated 323 loans totaling $49.8 million in 2015. Assurance ranked second in this category in 2014.
Approved lenders originated more than $282.6 million in guaranteed loans in fiscal 2015, helping nearly 1,900 rural Louisiana families to buy homes.
The USDA’s single-family housing program provides direct loans or loan guarantees to help low- and moderate-income Americans buy safe, affordable housing in rural areas. USDA also offers loans and grants to help rural residents make health and safety repairs to homes.
No down payment is required for loans although income limits do apply, depending on the location of the dwelling. Lenders must be approved by USDA Rural Development to participate in the program, and dwellings must be located in a rural area.
“The USDA rural development loan is an excellent mortgage product for many potential homeowners within our footprint,” said Terry LeBlanc, national sales manager at Assurance Financial. “Realtors appreciate the opportunity to have an alternative financing option for their clients other than conventional or FHA loans.”
“Our loan officers are knowledgeable about the program guidelines and experienced in working with the USDA regional offices within each state,” he added, “which helps maintain a positive relationship with the agency as well as Realtors. Realtors are confident that our loan officers will receive the necessary commitments from USDA, thus preserving the expected contract dates between the seller and the new homeowner.”
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural communities.
About Assurance Financial
Assurance Financial specializes in residential home loans. Since its founding in Baton Rouge in 2001, Assurance Financial has grown from two employees to over 100, expanding to multiple locations to provide mortgage banking services to a dozen real estate markets throughout the South. Assurance Financial is an independent mortgage lender and handles the entire mortgage process in-house. The company’s highly-qualified loan officers are able to offer all types of residential loan products, including conventional, VA, FHA and USDA rural development loans. Assurance Financial is lending the way to a better mortgage loan experience. Visit www.lendtheway.com for more information.