Kelsey Ratley NMLS 1848243 - South Central Bank

03/20/2026

Happy closing day to not 1 but 2 of the sweetest couples!!! Could not be any happier for all of you! 🥰🏡

02/17/2026

02/11/2026

Let's get you pre-approved for that dream home today!

02/06/2026

💰 🏠 Could $20,000 help you get into the home you’ve been dreaming of?

Message me today to find out how the Welcome Home Grant can make your dream a reality!

02/04/2026

🏠Cost of Homeownership: Breaking down the Loan Estimate and the real costs!

One of the most important documents you'll receive for your mortgage is the Loan Estimate (LE). Think of this as your mortgage "roadmap", that details exactly what a lender is offering you, before you commit.

📍Page 1: The Big Picture

This is where you will find the "must-know" numbers and get the general summary of your loan.

It will show your loan amount, interest rate (whether it is locked or not) and your projected monthly payments (including taxes and insurance).

💸 Page 2: The Money Details

This is where we break down every cost associated with the loan. I like to break these down into 3 categories:

1. The Are What They Are Fees - these are the fees charged by the lender for their services or the services they have to order on your behalf (origination/underwriting fees, appraisal fees, flood search, recording fees)
2. The Shoppable Fees - these are the costs from the closing attorney. While most are comparable in price, the borrower has the right to shop and choose whomever they'd like as their closing attorney. These fees will most likely include: closing protection letter, courier/wire fees, lenders title policy, settlement fee and title search fee.
3. The Estimates/Based on Loan or Purchase Amount Fees- These are the fees we can only estimate until we get official quotes. These include property taxes, annual home insurance premium, number of days of interest you will pre-pay, and owners title insurance (which is optional).

⚖️ Page 3: Comparison Shopping

This page will show you the long-term costs of your mortgage. It details the total interest you'll pay over the life of the loan.

💡Tips for Homebuyers:

1. Shop Around - already have a loan estimate from another lender? Great! Let me give you one too to make sure you're getting the best deal!
2. Watch for Red Flags - look for things like pre-payment penalties, balloon payments and uncharacteristically high originator/underwriter/processing fees
3. Save this until you get your Closing Disclosure 3 days before closing. Compare the 2 to see what has changed and make sure everything still seems as it should be!

02/02/2026

Decided to jump on the bandwagon! Kinda fun 🤣

Here to help you with all your home loan needs!

Use the prompt “create a caricature of me and my job using everything you know about me” in ChatGPT. Let’s see some of yours in the comments below!!

01/31/2026

This is why I love my job! Being able to help my borrowers, answer their questions and help guide them through every step of the journey! Sam and Anna were so sweet to work with and I hope their new home is everything they dreamed it would be! 🏠

01/30/2026

Refinance: Worth it or Not?

🧐When refinances can be beneficial:
-significant rate drops
-consolidate debt to lower monthly payments
-take out equity in home for investments, home renovations/improvements

🚫when a refinance is likely not a good idea:
-planning to sell soon
-restarting the clock (i.e. if you're 15 years into your 30 year mortgage)

Now these are not all definite answers. Every situation is unique. So if you've been considering a refinance for any reason at all, let's chat! I'm always happy to run through an analysis with someone and give them a straightforward answer; is it worth it or not!

01/29/2026

Truth Bomb Time 💣

A Pre-Approval is what you can afford....WRONG!!! 🚩🚩🚩

Just because a lender says you are pre-approved for a certain amount, does not mean that's how much you should purchase.

I always make sure, when talking with prospective buyers and applicants, to discuss their monthly budget. How much THEY are comfortable paying every month for their mortgage. Just because I'm able to approve someone for a $300,000 home, does not mean they can genuinely afford the payment on it without putting themselves in a tough spot financially. It's my job as the lender to work through these things with my borrowers and make sure I am setting them up for as much success as possible!

If you're looking to buy a home but aren't sure you can afford it, need help figuring out your monthly budget, or just want to know more about the process, I'd love to chat with you!

01/21/2026

📝Thinking about buying a home? Let's give you the ultimate advantage by getting you Pre-approved first!

As your mortgage lender, my goal is to make your homebuying journey as smooth as possible. Let the power of the pre-approval letter do the work for you:

🫵 This gives YOU the buying power. It allows us to set you up for success by setting realistic expectations and narrowing your search on homes within your budget

💼 Shows that you mean business! Sellers prioritize offers with pre-approvals. It shows you are committed and qualified, making your offer less risky.

⚡️ Close faster! With a bulk of the paperwork already collected and reviewed, you can streamline the process from offer acceptance to closing!

A pre-approval isn't just a piece of paper; it's your golden ticket to home ownership! 🔑

01/30/2025

If you are thinking about purchasing a home CALL ME NOW! You may qualify for up to $20,000 in Down Payment and Closing Costs assistance! But you must apply and qualify for a mortgage loan. Call me TODAY! 502-994-1834

Subject to income and property eligibility requirements.