First Choice Mortgage NMLS# 148371

08/12/2026

Episode 2 of "Ask Gus" is here! 🐶🏡

Today's question: "How much house can I actually afford?" Gus breaks it down — because your budget doesn't care how nice the kitchen island is. 😂

Drop a 🐾 if Gus just talked you out of impulse house-shopping.

07/23/2026

🎉 This is HUGE!

First Choice Mortgage can now finance One-Time Close Construction Loans!

That means home buyers that want to build can finance the land, construction, and permanent mortgage with ONE loan and ONE closing.

✔ VA - 100% Financing
✔ USDA - 100% Financing
✔ FHA - 96.5% LTV
✔ Conventional - 90% LTV

We finance:

🏠 Site-Built Homes
🏠 Modular Homes
🏠 Manufactured Homes

Whether you're dreaming of building your forever home or you're a Realtor or Builder helping clients make that dream happen, we're ready to help.

Less paperwork.
Less stress.
More dream homes.

Give us a call today!

📞 706-855-1599
🌐 FirstChoiceMortgage.net

07/21/2026

Local Lending Still Matters

Technology is fast. Local expertise is priceless.

Technology has changed the mortgage industry forever. Today, you can apply online, upload documents from your phone, and even receive an approval in minutes.
That's progress.
But when it comes to one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, something still matters more than speed:
Local expertise. Local relationships. Local accountability.
A national call center may know loan guidelines.
A local lender knows the neighborhoods, the market, the closing attorneys, the appraisers, and the real estate professionals who help make transactions successful.
When questions come up, you deserve someone who answers the phone. Someone who knows your name. Someone who is invested in your community long after closing day.
At First Choice Mortgage, we've proudly served families throughout Georgia and South Carolina since 1992 because we believe mortgages are about people, not just numbers.
Technology should make the process easier.
A local mortgage expert helps make the outcome better.
If you're considering buying a home, refinancing, or simply want honest advice about your options, I'd be honored to help.
📞 706-855-1599
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.FirstChoiceMortgage.net
J. Dirk Merritt
President | First Choice Mortgage
NMLS #226717 | Company NMLS #148371

07/16/2026

07/08/2026

We'd like to introduce our company mascot (and fluffiest) member of the First Choice Mortgage team. 🐶 Meet Gus — official spokesdog, professional good boy, and living proof that home financing doesn't have to feel complicated.
Drop a 🐾 in the comments if Gus made you smile today!

07/07/2026

🏡 Should You Wait to Buy a Home?

It's one of the most common questions we hear:

"Should I wait for rates to come down?"

The truth is, waiting doesn't always save money. In fact, it can often cost you more.

Here's why:

✅ Home prices tend to rise over time. Waiting may mean paying more for the same home later.

✅ You begin building equity sooner. Every mortgage payment can help you build wealth instead of paying rent to someone else.

✅ You can refinance later. If interest rates improve in the future, refinancing may be an option. You can't go back and buy today's home at yesterday's price.

✅ Less competition today. Many buyers are sitting on the sidelines, which can mean more negotiating power and more opportunities than during a highly competitive market.

The "perfect" time to buy isn't when everything in the market is perfect. It's when buying makes sense for your financial goals and your family's future.

If you're wondering whether now is the right time for you, we'd be happy to provide a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll walk through your options, answer your questions, and help you make an informed decision with no pressure.

📞 First Choice Mortgage
Helping families make smart mortgage decisions since 1992.

07/01/2026

Are you a Loan Officer who's tired of losing deals, turning away good clients, and not being compensated for your true value?

We hear you — and we built First Choice Mortgage to fix exactly that.

✅ Say YES to more clients — more products, more flexibility
✅ Top-tier compensation that actually reflects your work
✅ Full processing support from contract to close
✅ Medical, retirement with company contributions.
✅ A 5-star team that's been closing loans in the CSRA since 1992

We're growing — and we'd love to have a private, no-pressure conversation with you.

📞 (706) 855-1599 — Ask for Dirk Merritt

✉️ [email protected]
🔗 firstchoicemortgage.net