Financing Your Dream Home
Learn about the mortgage process, get interest rate estimates, use our helpful calculators and talk to one of our preferred mortgage partners today!
Today's Mortgage Rates
As of October 5, 2026
30-Yr Fixed
15-Yr Fixed
FHA 30-Yr
VA 30-Yr
Jumbo 30-Yr
12-Week Trend
Rate data: Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices (OBMMI), retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Figures are index averages of locked loans, not a rate quote, and are subject to change without notice.
Rates shown are index averages of locked loans, not a rate quote, and are subject to change without notice. Equal Housing Lender.
Our Preferred Mortgage Partners
We've partnered with the best local experts to ensure your financing process is smooth and reliable.
Eric Roering
Originating Branch Leader
Granite Bank
NMLS #209198
Welcome to our stress-free, easy-to-understand mortgage process. As your loan officer, your perception of the homebuying process will be changed for the better. Whether you're buying, selling, refinancing or building your dream home, there's a lot riding on your choice in a loan professional. I have the knowledge and experience to help you explore financing options in a way that's simple and straightforward.
Together, let's take a look at what you can qualify for.
Stig Sandell and Brad Goulet
Bell Bank Home Team
NMLS #700167
With over 20 years of experience, we are excited to earn your business with excellent service and pricing. The Bell Bank Home Team in Stillwater has worked together for over 15 years, and we know how to make your mortgage experience easy.
We've built a business based on referrals and repeat clients, because we treat you how we would want to be treated. We're motivated to create the best customer experience possible. We enjoy helping you feel comfortable and confident in your home financing.
I do my best to make sure you, my client, are fully aware of your most suitable options. I work to make sense of the process and make sure no questions go unanswered.
Steve Brand
Valor Home Loans
NMLS #261849
A Father, Husband, Patriot and also a local “mortgage guy”. Growing up on a farm in rural MN I had a strict work ethic burned into my veins by my parents at a young age. The same values are part of how I raised my boys and how I throw myself into my job… helping you.
I have been helping home-buyers in the Twin Cities / Western WI area since 2001… and love what I do. Licensed in 50 states and lots of niche programs… my passion/mission is serving Veterans. I am proud to be honored as one of the top VA lenders in MN.
Just like every person is different, everyone may have different goals for your home purchase. My goal is to help guide you through the process as painlessly as possible. We can review the best program and scenario to help you not just own a home… but have the right mortgage based on your short and long term plans for “wealth creation” if desired.
More Help
Mortgage Calculator
Already found your dream home? Check how much you need to pay per month.
Calculate PaymentAffordability Calculator
Want to know how much home you can afford? Use this calculator.
Calculate Affordability“Thank you, Thank you...”
Tim Gordon and Chad recommended a Veteran home-buyer to work with me for their financing for a VA loan. Jared was great to work with and more so, all the communication from Tim and Chad was SPOT ON. Exactly what you are looking for when you are looking at the biggest purchase of your life. Great Job guys!!! Keep up the great work.
Steven Brand
Lending Partner
Words to Know
Home Mortgage
A loan offered by a bank, mortgage company or other financial institution for the purchase of a primary or investment residence. In a home mortgage, the owner of the property (the borrower) transfers the title to the lender on the condition that the title will be transferred back to the owner once the loan has been fully paid and all other terms of the mortgage have been met.
Borrower
The person borrowing the mortgage money, who either has or is creating an ownership interest in the property.
Lender
Any organization lending the mortgage money, but usually a bank or other financial institution. Lenders may also be investors who own an interest in the mortgage through a mortgage-backed security. In such a situation, the initial lender is known as the mortgage originator, which then packages and sells the loan to investors. The payments from the borrower are thereafter collected by a loan servicer.
Principal
The original dollar amount of the loan, which may or may not include certain other costs; as any principal is repaid, the principal amount will decrease.
Interest
A financial charge for use of the lender's money.
Mortgage Insurance
Mortgage insurance is a policy that protects lenders against financial loss if a borrower fails to repay their home loan. It is typically required when a homebuyer makes a down payment of less than 20% on a conventional loan, or on any loan backed by the FHA.
Mortgage Loan Types
The two basic types of amortized loans are the fixed rate mortgage (FRM) and adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) (also known as a floating rate or variable rate mortgage).
In a fixed rate mortgage, the interest rate, remains fixed for the life (or term) of the loan. In case of an annuity repayment scheme, the periodic payment remains the same amount throughout the loan. In case of linear payback, the periodic payment will gradually decrease.
In an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate is generally fixed for a period of time, after which it will periodically (for example, annually or monthly) adjust up or down in relation to a market index. Adjustable rates transfer part of the interest rate risk from the lender to the borrower, and thus are widely used where fixed rate funding is difficult to obtain or prohibitively expensive. Since the risk is transferred to the borrower, the initial interest rate may be, for example, 0.5% to 2% lower than the average 30-year fixed rate; the size of the price differential will be related to debt market conditions, including the yield curve.
Mortgage Loan Process
Mortgage Pre-Approval Process
House Shopping
Mortgage Loan Application Process
Mortgage Loan Processing
Mortgage Loan Underwriting
Mortgage Closing Process
Funding
Get pre-qualified by a local mortgage expert today!
Our mortgage partners are local financing experts, ready to guide you through the home buying process. They are committed to fast, professional, courteous and personal service to help you understand and feel at ease throughout the mortgage process. Our licensed loan originator partners specialize in financing homes in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. They are prepared to find the right loan program with competitive rates and low upfront costs for you.
Get Pre-Qualified
Connect with a lending partner to explore your financing options.