A Des Moines mortgage lender who explains the whole thing

Based in Urbandale, working across Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Story counties. Since 2015, the focus has been the same: make sure you understand the numbers before you commit to them.

What a local lender actually changes

Plenty of mortgages get originated by someone three time zones away who has never seen a Beaverdale foursquare or dealt with a Waukee builder's timeline. Most of the time that works out fine. When it doesn't, it tends to fail in the same places: an appraisal that comes in low on an older home, a title issue nobody flagged early, a rate lock that expires because a new build slipped two months.

Working with someone in the metro means the person running your file knows which listing agents return calls, what the current offer environment looks like in Ankeny versus Norwalk, and how to structure an offer so it actually gets accepted. It also means you can get someone on the phone at 7pm when you are deciding whether to write.

Who this works well for

First-time buyers

You have never done this and would rather not learn it from a comment section. Expect plain explanations, a real pre-approval, and a payment breakdown before you tour anything.

Move-up buyers

Selling and buying at once is the hardest sequencing problem in residential real estate. There are several ways to structure it, and the right one depends on your equity and your risk tolerance.

Refinancing homeowners

Whether it makes sense depends on your break-even, how long you plan to stay, and what you would do with the savings. Sometimes the answer is no, and you should hear that.

Investors

Financing that qualifies on the property rather than personal income, plus conventional financing on additional properties. Common in the Ames rental market and around Des Moines.

Loan programs available in the Des Moines metro

Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA financing are all available depending on your credit, income, down payment, and the property itself. Each has real tradeoffs, and the cheapest monthly payment is not always the best long-term structure.

FHA loansLower credit and down payment thresholds, with mortgage insurance as the tradeoff. VA loansNo down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible service members and veterans. First-time buyer guidanceHow the process actually runs, start to finish. Down payment assistanceIowa Finance Authority programs and who qualifies. RefinancingRate and term, cash-out, and how to run the break-even honestly. Payment calculatorEstimate a full payment including taxes, insurance, and PMI.

The service area

Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston, Clive, Grimes, Altoona, Norwalk, Bondurant, Pleasant Hill, Adel, Indianola, and Ames, plus the surrounding communities in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Story counties. Licensing also extends to Nebraska, Arizona, Florida, North Dakota, and Illinois.

Common questions

Questions people ask

Who is the best mortgage lender in Des Moines?

There is no single answer, and any lender who tells you otherwise is selling. What matters is whether the person handling your file communicates clearly, prices competitively, and closes on time. Ask any lender you are considering how they handle an appraisal that comes in low, and how quickly they return calls during a contract. The answers are usually revealing.

How long does it take to close a mortgage in Des Moines?

Thirty to forty-five days is typical for a purchase, though it depends on the loan type, the property, and how quickly documentation comes back. Refinances often move faster. New construction runs on the builder's schedule, which can be several months out.

Do I need to live in Des Moines to work with you?

No. Brady is licensed in Iowa, Nebraska, Arizona, Florida, North Dakota, and Illinois. Most clients are in central Iowa, but the process works the same anywhere in those states.

What credit score do I need to buy a house in Iowa?

It depends on the program. FHA financing generally allows lower scores than conventional, and VA has no set minimum from the VA itself though lenders set their own. Higher scores usually mean better pricing. If your score is a concern, it is worth a conversation before you apply rather than after.

Next step

Talk it through before you commit

No cost, no obligation. Bring your questions and we will work out what actually fits your situation.

Phone: 712-830-0025

Email: bhaye@gokeymortgage.com

Office: 2370 NW 128th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

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