Ingrid King - First Choice Lending Services

08/24/2026

Sometimes convenience is simply having another option.

For Ingrid’s clients around Sevierville, that now includes another place to meet with her in person, while virtual meetings remain available when that works better for you.

The location may be different. The clarity, attention, and mortgage guidance stay the same.

And this Thursday, we’re celebrating the new Sevierville location.

11 AM to 1 PM
📍118 Court Avenue, Suite 1, Sevierville

Join Ingrid and the First Choice Lending team for the Sevierville Grand Opening from 11 to 1. Come grab some food, meet some people, and celebrate with us.

Come eat, connect, and celebrate with Ingrid and the First Choice Lending team.

07/31/2026

🏆 We've been nominated for CityView's Best of the Best, and we need your help! Vote First Choice Lending Services for Best Mortgage Company AND Best Mortgage Broker (Stores & Services category). Every single vote matters. Link in comments and bio…it just takes 3 minutes. Remember: you must vote in 35 categories for it to count, so pick your favorites across the board! Thank you for your support!

07/31/2026

The Fed met this week and held the federal funds rate steady again, five meetings in a row without a change.

But here's the part most headlines skip: the Fed's decision isn't what actually moves mortgage rates. Here are the three indicators that matter more:

📈 The 10-year Treasury yield — mortgage rates track this far more closely than the Fed's benchmark rate

📊 Inflation trends — still elevated, which is exactly why three Fed officials pushed to hike instead of hold

🛢️ Oil prices & global events — right now, this is the one to watch. Oil has climbed significantly this month amid ongoing geopolitical tension, and energy costs feed directly into inflation numbers

So while "the Fed did nothing" is the headline, the real story is in these three signals — and they're worth watching very closely. Which is exactly why we track this important information.

📲 Questions about what it means for your specific situation? Let's talk. Connect with a First Choice Lending Services loan officer today.

07/25/2026

07/23/2026

You leave Pigeon Forge after a family trip and start wondering what it would be like to have a place of your own there.

A home you could return to each year.
Space for the family.
Mountain views nearby.
Maybe even the option to rent it when you are not using it.

That is usually when the idea starts becoming more than a vacation thought.

But before looking at properties, it is important to get clear on how you would actually use one.

A second home and a vacation rental may look similar from the outside, but they can create different conversations around financing, expenses, and what the numbers need to support.

The home in this video is one example of what buyers may consider in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and across the Smokies.

The first step is not choosing the property.

It is understanding your plan, reviewing your numbers, and seeing what options may fit your situation.

You do not have to be ready to buy to start that conversation. Schedule a one-on-one time to review where you are financially and what may be possible.

06/29/2026

You have visited. You have stayed. At some point, the thought crossed your mind.
What would it actually take to own a place like this in the Smoky Mountains, TN?
This Tuesday, June 30, at 7 PM, I am walking through the financing on a real Pigeon Forge vacation property live. You will see the property and hear the options most people never get to hear before they are already in the middle of a transaction.

Register at the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1EGh84v8eB/

06/25/2026

When people look at a vacation rental, it is easy to focus on the property first.

But the better question is:

Will this make sense for guests and for the buyer?

For guests, location matters.

Can they walk to restaurants?
Can they get to attractions easily?
Is the property simple to access?
Does the stay feel convenient?

For the buyer, the numbers still have to be reviewed.

Payment estimates.
Loan options.
Projected rental income.
How the property would fit into your overall plan.

That is why a strong rental property is not just about being in Gatlinburg.

It is about the full picture.

Smokies Edge Downtown has several things buyers usually look for in a vacation rental: walkable location, balcony, elevator access, pool, professional management, and rental income projections to review.

If you are considering a vacation rental in Gatlinburg, schedule a time so we can walk through the numbers and see what may fit your situation before you commit.

06/20/2026

A lot of buyers hear "pre-qualified" and think that means they are ready to make an offer.
But when a seller is choosing between two buyers, that difference can matter.
Two buyers can want the same house.
They can even make a similar offer.
But if one has a pre-approval and the other only has a pre-qualification, the seller may see those offers differently.
A pre-qualification can give you an idea of what you may be able to afford.
A pre-approval goes further because more of your financial picture has been reviewed, including income, debt, credit, and documents.
So the offer may feel stronger because there is more clarity behind it.
Not because that buyer loves the home more.
Because the seller has more information to look at.
That is why pre-approval matters before you find the home you want.
Comment CLARITY if you want to schedule a conversation and go through what may be needed for your pre-approval.

06/17/2026

Sometimes buyers think the mortgage conversation starts and ends with credit.

But there are other pieces that matter too.

How your income is documented.
How much you are putting down.

Whether the property will be your primary home, a second home, or an investment property.

Each one can change what options are available, what requirements apply, and what the numbers may look like.

That is why two buyers can have similar credit scores and still have very different loan conversations.

It is not always about one number.
It is about how all the pieces work together.

If you have been trying to understand what you may qualify for, schedule a conversation so we can look at your full picture and make the next step clearer.