Your Local Mortgage Lender
Located in Girardeau, Missouri
Personalized Mortgage Experience
Buying a home should feel exciting… not overwhelming.
At The Dave Weston Group, we guide you through every step so you feel confident, informed, and completely at home in the process.
But this is about more than just getting a loan…
It’s about helping you build, protect, and transfer wealth through real estate.
From your first home to your next investment, we’re here to help you make smart decisions that serve you now… and long-term.
Simple. Clear. Done right.
The Home Loan Process
Mortgage Pre-Approval
Get pre-approved from one of our Loan Officers to see how much you can afford.
House Shopping
Work with a trusted Real Estate Agent to find a home you would like to move into.
Loan Application
Complete your home loan application to get the lending process started.
Don't take my word for it
Mortgage Programs
Experience the best mortgage experience located in Girardeau, Missouri.
Home Loan Options
Our experienced mortgage advisors will walk you through the best mortgage loan program that will fit your specific scenario.
Conventional Home Loans.
FHA Home Loans.
USDA Home Loans.
VA Home Loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I refinance my mortgage?
There is no limit to the number of times you can refinance. However, you must qualify every time you apply and there will be costs associated with closing the loan each time.
Can I buy a home if I do not have money for a down payment?
Yes! There are a number of bond programs that offer low or no down payment financing options.
How do I know which mortgage is right for me?
The key to choosing the right mortgage is to understand the range of options and features available to you, as well as your budget, circumstances, and goals. Our licensed mortgage professionals are here to help you navigate that process. The more you know, the more comfortable and confident you will be choosing the best option for you and your family.
How long will the loan process take?
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) does not permit a lender to close a loan until at least seven (7) business days have passed from the date your application was received. A typical home loan takes 30 days, as a number of third-party services such as appraisals, title work, and credit are required in conjunction with the mortgage process. Once you familiarize your Loan Officer with the details of your specific loan scenario, they will be able to provide you with a more specific timeline.
Will I qualify for a home loan?
The only way to find out is to speak with a qualified mortgage professional. Our Loan Officers have helped numerous clients who didn’t know if they could qualify to become home owners. We take the time to understand your financial situation and long-term financial goals, and then match you with the loan program that best fits your needs. Your approval for a loan may also largely depend on the price of the home you are financing. Getting pre-qualified prior to beginning your home search can give you an idea of what you may be able to afford.
Why do people refinance their mortgages?
Homeowners typically refinance to save money, either by obtaining a lower interest rate or by reducing the term of their loan. Refinancing is also a way to convert an adjustable loan to a fixed loan or to consolidate debts.
How much money will I have to pay upfront to buy a home?
This question does not have a simple, one-size-fits-all answer. The exact amount will depend on the price of the home you buy as well the type of mortgage financing you choose. Depending on your loan program, your down payment could be as much as 20% of the home’s price or as little as 3%, while some loans require no down payment at all.
Can I get a mortgage after bankruptcy?
You may still qualify for a home loan even if you have experienced a bankruptcy. The best way to find out if you qualify is to talk with a Loan Officer to discuss your options. Be sure to bring all paperwork regarding your bankruptcy so your Loan Officer can find the program that best fits your situation.
Should I lock my interest rate now, or wait until we are closer to our closing?
Interest rates fluctuate all day, every day. If an interest rate is good, it may be in your best interest to lock now. If you wait, you run the risk of an increase in rates later. If you are concerned that rates may go down after you lock, contact your Loan Officer to discuss your options. Some programs allow you to lock for an extended period and choose to lower your rate should a better one become available.
Most Recent Blog Updates
Why Mortgage Rates Started Climbing Again After Coming Down and What to Do About It Right Now
The Question Buyers and Homeowners Are Asking Right Now
If you have been watching mortgage rates over the last couple of weeks you have probably noticed they started climbing again after finally showing signs of meaningful improvement. Understanding why that happened and what it means for your next move is more useful than simply feeling frustrated that the window seemed to open and then close again.
What Is Driving Rates Back Up
The biggest factor is uncertainty in the global economy. Rising tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices higher. When oil prices move up they create inflationary pressure across the broader economy because the cost of producing and transporting almost everything increases alongside energy prices.
When inflation becomes a concern bond investors demand higher yields to compensate for the purchasing power erosion that inflation creates. Mortgage rates follow bond yields closely and when yields rise rates follow. That chain reaction from geopolitical tension to oil prices to inflation concerns to bond yields to mortgage rates has played out visibly over the past several weeks.
What This Means for Your Numbers
As Dave Weston at the Dave Weston Group with Hallmark Home Mortgage explains if you received a payment estimate earlier this month there is a good chance the numbers have already changed. Rates move daily and sometimes significantly in response to developments like the ones currently driving markets. An estimate from two weeks ago may no longer reflect what is actually available today and making financial decisions based on outdated numbers can create surprises when the time comes to lock.
Why This Does Not Mean You Missed Your Opportunity
Here is the more important perspective on what is happening. Rates move every day and in both directions. A headline that pushes rates higher this week does not permanently close the window on a favorable rate environment. Geopolitical situations evolve, oil prices fluctuate, and the bond market responds to new information continuously.
What matters is not that rates moved higher over the past couple of weeks. What matters is what your numbers look like today and whether they support a decision to buy or refinance given your specific situation and goals.
Waiting for a rate that appeared two weeks ago to reappear is a strategy built around a data point that may or may not be relevant to what the market is doing when you are actually ready to move. Getting updated numbers from a lender who can show you what is actually available right now is always more useful than relying on last week's news.
Dave Weston with the Dave Weston Group at Hallmark Home Mortgage works with buyers and homeowners to stay current on what the rate environment actually looks like and to make decisions based on real and current information rather than assumptions built on outdated quotes. Reach out to Dave Weston to get updated numbers and find out what the current market means for your specific situation.
Sources
FederalReserve.gov
MortgageNewsDaily.com
EnergyInformationAdministration.gov
TreasuryDirect.gov
BankRate.com
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