Vicki Partaker, Mortgage Consultant, NMLS #128886

Home
United States
Fort Wayne, IN
Vicki Partaker, Mortgage Consultant, NMLS #128886

Call Website Contact the business

Mortgage Banker with over 30 years of experience helping people buy, build, and refinance their homes.

11/03/2026

My goal is not just to help you get into a home. It’s to help you live there comfortably for years to come.

That starts with education, planning, and understanding the broader financial picture.

Contact me anytime for a free planning call.
https://myoc.io/vicki

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

10/29/2026

"We got pre-approved, so we bought all the furniture for the new house."

It's a mistake that happens more often than you'd think.

Buying a home is exciting, and it's natural to start planning for life in the new space. But before financing furniture, appliances, or a new vehicle, check with your lender.

What seems like a routine purchase can affect the mortgage process in ways many buyers don't expect.

Keep things as close to "business as usual" as possible until after loan closing.

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

10/27/2026

Thinking about building a home but not sure where to start?

Our Construction Loan Handbook breaks down the financing and building process in plain language, from understanding construction terms to navigating timelines, loan options, and common questions. You'll also learn about the tools and resources available through First Merchants to help guide you along the way.

📖 Download your free guide today:https://www.firstmerchants.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/fmb-construction-loan-handbook-0723.pdf

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

10/22/2026

First comes Fall. Then comes...

Snow, ice, and freezing temps.

Is your home ready?

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

10/20/2026

A mortgage pre-approval typically requires a credit check, which may cause a small, temporary impact to your credit score. For most buyers, the impact is minor.

If you're not quite ready for a full pre-approval, you may want to start with a pre-qualification instead. A pre-qualification is often based on information you provide verbally or online and can give you a general idea of what you may be able to afford. In many cases, it doesn't require a hard credit inquiry.

A pre-approval goes a step further. Your lender reviews your credit, income, assets, and other financial information to provide a more complete picture of your buying power.

Whether you're ready for a pre-qualification or a full pre-approval, understanding your options is often the first step toward homeownership.

Have questions about the process or ready to get started? I'd be happy to help.
https://myoc.io/vicki

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

10/15/2026

Your emergency fund and your house fund should be two different things.

Why? Because home maintenance and repairs aren't a matter of if, they're a matter of when.

A dedicated "house fund" can help cover expected repairs and maintenance, from replacing a water heater to fixing a leaky roof, without dipping into your emergency fund.

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

10/13/2026

The final step in the homebuyer process is called “Closing”.

After your loan has gone through the approval process and you are “Clear to Close,” your lender will schedule a Closing day to finalize the transaction and transfer ownership of the home to you.

Here’s what you can expect:

👉 24 hours before closing, you may do a final walk-through of the property with your real estate agent to ensure it’s in the agreed upon condition and that the seller has moved out.

👉 Closing is typically held at the office of your title company or real estate agent and takes about one to two hours.

👉 During closing, you will be asked to review and sign a lot of documents and provide payment for your final closing costs and down payment.

After everything is signed and completed, you will receive the keys to your new home. You are officially a homeowner!

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

10/08/2026

Depending on your situation, you could qualify for low down payment financing, grants, or down payment assistance programs that help reduce upfront costs. The challenge is knowing what's available and understanding which programs can be combined.

That's where having the right lender matters.

I help my clients explore every available option. That could include our Community Homebuyer Grant, which offers up to $7,500 toward down payment and/or closing costs, as well as additional assistance programs available through local community partners.

Before you decide homeownership is out of reach, let's talk. A quick homebuyer consultation could uncover opportunities you didn't know existed.
https://myoc.io/vicki

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

10/06/2026

This is an interesting update from Fannie Mae.

Many homeowners are sitting on 3%-4% mortgage rates. They may want to sell, but they don’t want to give up their low rate. Now, keeping the home, renting it out, and still qualifying for the next home could be a viable option for more people.

Basically, under the old guidelines, if a homeowner wanted to use rental income to help qualify for another mortgage, they would need a signed lease and tenant in place. Now, lenders may use projected rental income for qualifying purposes.

In other words, homeowners may no longer need to wait until they've found a tenant and signed a lease before receiving credit for the home's rental income. That projected income can help offset the existing mortgage payment, potentially making it easier to qualify for the next home.

Curious how this could affect you or your clients? Reach out.

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

09/29/2026

Credit Reports and Credit Scores are two different things. Both are used by lenders to help determine if they will lend you money, and what interest rate they will charge you.

Here’s the difference:

👉 Credit Reports are a summary of your history of managing money and repaying debt.

👉 Credit Scores are a three-digit number calculated based on the information in your Credit Report.

Before you apply for a mortgage, you should know your credit score and history.

There are resources to help. Like www.annualcreditreport.com, where you can request a free copy of your Credit Report. Or SavvyMoney, a free tool in the First Merchants mobile app where you can monitor your Credit Score and download a snapshot of your Credit Report.

And as always, you can reach out to me for guidance and questions.
https://myoc.io/vicki

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

Address

Fort Wayne, IN
46802

Telephone

+12607050932

Website

https://www.firstmerchants.com/personal/borrowing/mortgages/mortgage-team-directory/vicki-partaker

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Vicki Partaker, Mortgage Consultant, NMLS #128886 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.