Why Local Matters: From Farm to Table… to Financing Your Home

Anyone who knows me knows I love food — preparing it, cooking it, and gathering with friends around the table to enjoy it. And it’s not just about the meal itself (though I’ll never turn down a good smoked brisket). For me, it’s also about knowing where that food comes from. I’ve milked a goat straight into a glass and drank it fresh. I’ve walked rows of peppers and pulled it right off the plant.

There’s something powerful about being connected to the process — about knowing the hands and the effort that made your meal possible. That connection changes the experience. It’s not just food anymore; it’s a relationship, a story, and a memory.

That same passion I bring to food is the exact reason I believe in shopping local when it comes to buying a home.

Here’s the truth: corporate doesn’t always mean better. Sure, the “big box” banks and online mortgage companies have their place, but local lenders? They’re the ones who show up. They’re invested in the community. They don’t just see a number on paper — they see people, stories, and dreams.

Take my friend Corey Petree. He walked my clients through programs I didn’t even know existed — lower interest rates, zero-to-little money down, federal subsidies for first-time homeowners. He wasn’t trying to push us into a deal. Instead, he gave us options, the flexibility to connect with someone who fit the client's needs. He treated them like a neighbor, not a transaction. And the best part? Lender consultations are free. They’ll help you figure out what you can afford, put you on track toward ownership, and then they hope to earn your business by building trust.

Contrast that with a recent client, the Brays. Their closing was postponed because they didn’t use a local lender. Their out-of-town credit union couldn’t prioritize them, didn’t understand their needs, and didn’t have a relationship with the community. No shade — those institutions have their role. But when timing matters and relationships matter? Go local.

Buying a home is a lot like preparing a meal. You can shop cheap and get something that fills the plate, but it won’t give you the richness of flavor, the connection, the meaning. Or you can go local, shake the hand of the farmer, taste the difference in every bite — and feel the pride of knowing you’re part of something bigger.

For me, it’s not just about the food. Or the house. It’s about the connection. That’s why I’ll always say: shop local. Eat local. Finance local. Because when you do, you’re not just buying — you’re belonging.