The Landers Group: Kiersten Landers, Mortgage Broker - NMLS #2491643

The Landers Group: Kiersten Landers, Mortgage Broker - NMLS #2491643 You've heard the horror stories...how hard it is to qualify, not to mention the fighting, shopping, and haggling to get a good rate.

Providing opportunities for low rates, hassle free mortgages for buying or refinancing a home throughout Idaho and Arizona |
Loan Officer
Equal Housing Lender
NMLS # 2491643 I've got great news...When you're ready, the next step in getting a low rate mortgage made easy is to contact me so we can review your unique situation and make sure that you get a low rate mortgage without the stress and hassle. NMLS #2491643
208-270-3861
[email protected]

03/27/2026

Ask your lender about this. If they’re not local, chances are they don’t know how it works in Idaho!

The Idaho Homeowner's Exemption can have a real, measurable impact on your monthly payment once you occupy the home.

Here’s how it actually works:

It reduces the taxable value of your primary residence by up to 50% of the home’s value, capped at $125,000.

So you’re not taxed on that portion of the value… which directly lowers your property taxes.

And yes, that translates into real monthly savings.

In many cases, we’re talking tens of dollars per month. In some situations, depending on price point and local tax rate, it can reach into the hundreds.

Not a gimmick. Not inflated numbers. Just a perk about moving to Idaho!

That said, every property and county is different, and the exact savings will vary. This isn’t a flat number or a guarantee. It has to be calculated based on your specific scenario.

But when it’s applied correctly, it can help move the needle on affordability.

Empire Home Loans, Inc | NMLS #1839243 | Equal Housing Opportunity | Kiersten Landers, The Landers Group | NMLS # 2491643

03/05/2026

March is Women's History Month, and it is the perfect time to highlight something powerful happening in real estate.

Women are becoming one of the strongest forces in homeownership.

According to the National Association of Realtors, single women buy nearly twice as many homes as single men. In fact, single women make up about 19 percent of homebuyers, compared to about 10 percent for single men.

Why? Because women are building financial independence, prioritizing stability, and investing in long term wealth. Many are purchasing homes on their own after career growth, divorce, or simply deciding they do not want to wait for a partner to start building equity.

And here is something I see all the time in my work. Female buyers tend to be incredibly thoughtful about their decisions. They ask great questions. They plan ahead. They focus on the long term, not just the monthly payment.

Homeownership is one of the most powerful wealth building tools available, and more women are stepping into that opportunity every year.

If you are a woman wondering whether you could qualify on your own, the answer might surprise you. The first step is simply understanding your options and your numbers.

This month especially, I love celebrating women who are building their future one home at a time.

Empire Home Loans, Inc | NMLS #1839243 | Equal Housing Opportunity | Kiersten Landers, The Landers Group | NMLS # 2491643

03/04/2026

For my ID and AZ Realtor Partners, this is the kind of edge that wins deals🧨

I am partnering with the largest wholesale lender in the country, United Wholesale Mortgage, to offer up to a $600 appraisal credit on purchase loans for a limited time.

Here is why this matters for your business.

It lowers upfront costs for your buyers.
It removes friction at contract.
It makes your offer stronger in a competitive situation.
It gives you one more reason for buyers to choose you.

Small advantages create momentum. Momentum creates closings.

As we move deeper into the spring market, this is exactly the kind of strategic partnership that helps you stand out and serve your clients at a higher level.

If you have buyers getting ready to write, let’s leverage this and put you in the strongest possible position.

Empire Home Loans, Inc | NMLS #1839243 | Equal Housing Opportunity | Kiersten Landers, The Landers Group | NMLS # 2491643

02/16/2026

Shop smart. Talk to a lender first.

Quick math is not underwriting. And viral social media “rules” are not a strategy.

Making an offer without real financial guidance can put you in a stressful position fast. Online calculators and trending hacks do not account for your full financial picture, your tax strategy, your debt structure, your long term goals, or what you actually want your monthly life to feel like.

Hourly income is calculated differently than salary.
Bonus and commission income are treated differently.
Debt is weighted differently depending on the loan type.

Some buyers can comfortably stretch higher. Others are far better served staying well below generic ratios. There is no one size fits all number.

The 28 percent rule is a starting point. It is not a decision.

If you want real numbers built specifically for you, let’s run the full scenario. We will look at payment, cash to close, reserves, future plans, and how this purchase fits into your bigger financial picture.

A short conversation now can save you from guessing later and give you clarity and confidence before you shop.

Empire Home Loans, Inc | NMLS #1839243 | Equal Housing Opportunity
Kiersten Landers, The Landers Group | NMLS #2491643

02/11/2026

3 Things I Will NOT Do as Your Lender

1. I will NOT disappear once you’re under contract.
You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening or waiting on unanswered texts. I stay accessible, communicative, and involved from pre-approval to closing day, and long after.

2. I will NOT pressure you into a loan or payment that doesn’t fit your life.
Buying a home is a big decision. My role is to educate you, explain your options, and help you choose what truly makes sense for your goals, without stress or sales tactics.

3. I will NOT sugarcoat the process.
You’ll get honest numbers, clear expectations, and straightforward answers. Even when the news isn’t perfect, I believe transparency now means fewer surprises later.

My goal isn’t just to get you to the closing table.
It’s to make sure you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way.

If that’s the kind of lender you want in your corner, I’m your girl.

Kiersten Landers
[email protected]
208-270-3861
NMLS #2491643
Licensed in ID & AZ

02/05/2026

I am doing something special this month to help you win more business and put real money back into your buyers’ pockets.

Any client you refer to me who locks a loan in February will receive 40 basis points off their mortgage costs through UWM. That is not a gimmick. That is real, measurable savings at closing.

To put it in perspective, on a $500,000 loan that equals about $2,000 in savings for your buyer. On a $350,000 loan, it is around $1,400. That is money they can use for moving expenses, furniture, or simply to feel more comfortable about their purchase.

This applies to purchases and refinances, which makes it an incredible reason to reach back out to past clients and check in. Imagine calling a homeowner you helped last year and being able to say you have a way for them to save thousands right now. That is a powerful conversation starter.

If you have buyers who are close but need a little extra motivation, this is the perfect nudge to get them off the fence and under contract in February.

When you help your clients save money, you are truly doing what is best for them, and that makes you the trusted expert in their eyes.

My job is to make you look good and to take exceptional care of every person you send my way. I strive to communicate clearly, and fight to get them the best possible outcome.

Let’s make February a big month together.

Empire Home Loans, Inc | NMLS #1839243 | Equal Housing Opportunity | Kiersten Landers, The Landers Group | NMLS # 2491643

01/27/2026

I am incredibly grateful and genuinely humbled to be ranked Top 15 for units and Top 25 for volume across the country at Empire Home Loans.

This did not happen by accident. It happened because of trust. Trust from agents who refer me to their buyers. Trust from clients who let me guide them through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

Family is my purpose.
Everything I do starts and ends there.

Service is the vehicle I use to show up for my clients, my partners, and the people who put their faith in me.

This morning started at 4am helping borrowers complete a virtual signing. Not because it was convenient. Because it was necessary. Some days require more. Some files demand more attention, more communication, more creativity, and more heart.

Most transactions are not perfectly smooth. They have twists, stress points, and moments where everyone feels the pressure.

That is where communication matters.
That is where foresight matters.
That is where care and loyalty are not just words but actions.

I cannot promise every deal will be easy. I cannot promise there will never be bumps. What I can promise is that I will stay in it with you. I will problem solve. I will communicate honestly. I will work early mornings, late nights, and everything in between to get it done.

Thank you to the agents and clients who trust me, support me, and allow me to do this work.
I see you.
I appreciate you.

And I will continue to show up, even at 4am.

01/21/2026

The housing market quietly flipped, and a lot of people haven’t caught up yet.

Right now, home sellers outnumber buyers by 47% nationally, the widest gap ever recorded. That’s roughly 631,000 more sellers than buyers.

This is not 2021.
And it’s not even early 2024.

What this tells us is simple:
Leverage has shifted, but only for people who understand how to use it.

In many Sun Belt markets, inventory surged from years of new construction and price run-ups. Sellers are listing homes based on yesterday’s expectations, while buyers are slower, more selective, and far less emotional. Homes that are overpriced sit. Homes that are positioned correctly still move, sometimes quickly.

At the same time:
• Mortgage rates are near a 3-year low (still around 6%)
• Existing home sales are near a 30-year low
• The “lock-in effect” is easing as fewer owners hold sub-3% rates
• Redfin is calling 2026 “The Great Housing Reset”

Translation?
This is not a crash. It’s a reset.

For buyers, this is one of the first windows in years where negotiation, concessions, and strategy matter again.

For sellers, pricing and guidance matter more than ever.

For realtors, the difference between a smooth deal and a stalled listing is education and ex*****on.

And this is where strong lender-realtor partnerships show their value.

In a market like this, buyers don’t need hype.
They need clarity.

Realtors don’t need cheerleaders.

They need problem solvers who can move fast, run clean numbers, and help clients make smart decisions when conditions change mid-transaction.

This market rewards professionals who understand data, timing, and human behavior, not just rates.

That’s how deals get done in a reset.

When you think of loans, think of buying, I hope you think of me.

Kiersten Landers
Nmls #2491643
208 270 3861
[email protected]

01/14/2026

Whether you are buying your first home, upgrading into luxury, leveraging VA benefits, or navigating a more complex financial picture, my job is simple. Make the path to homeownership smarter, clearer, and more strategic.

This is not about one transaction. It is about guidance, advocacy, and a lending relationship you can rely on for years to come.

The Landers Group | Empire Home Loans
Kiersten Landers, MLO
208.270.3861
NMLS #2491643

01/14/2026

I'm giving up our lower rate and it's the right move.

For years, homeowners like me have been told the same thing:
“Never give up that low interest rate.”

I bought my home when rates were in the 3s and 4s. By today’s standards, that’s gold. And like millions of Americans, I could have stayed put, protected by what economists call the mortgage lock-in effect. Low rate. Low payment. No reason to move.

Except… life doesn’t always fit neatly inside an interest rate.

Recently, we found a home that actually made sense for us now. The right location. The right layout. And just as important, the right price to build equity.

➡️Here’s what many people miss: there is more to a mortgage than the interest rate.

Home inventory has increased, and in many markets values have softened. That means buyers have more negotiating power. When you buy a home at a better price, your loan amount is lower. When your principal comes down, your payment comes down too. Rate matters, but it is only one piece of the equation.

Yes, my new rate is higher.
But my overall financial picture is stronger.

We bought smart, not emotional. We focused on total cost, long-term equity, and how the home fits our life today. And as rates change in the future, refinancing is a tool. Overpaying for a home in a tight market is not something you can undo.

The housing market is slowly unlocking as more homeowners realize this same truth. The best decision is not always keeping the lowest rate. It is making the move that aligns with your goals, your timing, and your numbers.

This is exactly why I tell my clients to think differently...
A mortgage is not just a rate.
It’s strategy, timing, price, and opportunity.

If you’re feeling “stuck” because of your current rate, let’s talk through the full picture. Sometimes the smartest move is the one that looks counterintuitive at first glance.

Address

3525 Merlin Drive
Idaho Falls, ID
83404

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