Demystifying Myths
for the First Time Homebuyer
You’ve waited a long time and now you’re considering purchasing your first home in Colorado. But you’ve heard so many opinions that you find yourself wondering, “Can I really do this?” Or, “Is now the right time?”
The Brian Manning Team wants to demystify some common myths and set your mind at ease so you can proceed with confidence.
Myth #1
I don’t have enough cash to put 20% down so I can’t buy.
Truth: The minimum down payment is 3%. The Brian Manning Team can help you access down payment assistance when you want to purchase a home in Colorado.
Myth #2
I have student loans so there’s no way I can qualify for a mortgage.
Truth: Having a student loan does not prohibit you from buying a home. Most people still qualify. It’s worth having an introductory conversation with a member of The Brian Manning Team to explore your options.
Myth #3
If I buy a home in Colorado, it will cost me more than if I rent.
Truth: Your mortgage payment may be within your budget and/or similar to what you’re paying for rent right now. When you rent, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage. When you own, you build equity and wealth in Colorado real estate. Ask a member of The Brian Manning Team to run a “rent vs. own” calculation for you and let the numbers speak for themselves.
Myth #4
The loan process takes 60 days, that’s too long for me to wait.
Truth: You can get pre-approved in one day. Typically, the home buying process can be completed within 30 days.
Myth #5
I can’t afford a home in the Colorado market.
Truth: Whether you want to live in Boulder County, Castle Rock, Denver, or elsewhere along the Front Range, getting pre-approved before you begin your search helps you move from speculation to actual, factual answers about what you can afford in your area.
Brian and his team exceeded expectations throughout the buying process. He worked seamlessly with my realtor to ensure a smooth, frictionless, and ontime closing!
Trey Cole
00:43 02 Dec 20
Manning and his team made the loan process smooth and easy. Very good communication.
Michele Moffat
23:35 01 Dec 20
Brian is super motivated and honest with the loan. He is really helpful and responsible to work with. He helped me to get the best rate that I ever quoted and the final figures is exactly when he showed to me in the first place. I would recommend him!
Yuhui Lai
16:41 20 Nov 20
Brian and his team were amazing! I loved working with them all and they were extremely helpful with helping me understand the approval and closing processes associated with buying my first home.
Chris Wagner
21:20 11 Nov 20
Brian kept the loan process as simple as can be. He asked only the questions that were relevant, and requested only the documents that were needed. Brian called with updates and to ask if we had any questions. On top of the good communication, we enjoyed the nice "extras" that came with working with the Brian Manning Team, including a surprise gift of moving boxes.
Stephen A.
20:58 02 Nov 20
Our transaction involved a tight closing schedule, so we picked Brian Manning and his team for their reputation to do the job. I really appreciated that, multiple times, my realtor reached out to Brian and Brian responded right away; in those instances, the immediacy of Brian's response was material to the transaction. 5 stars for closing on time and for a killer interest rate.
Corinne A.
20:28 02 Nov 20
Five years ago I got my first mortgage through Brian and the process was seamless. Fast forward to today and my refi experience was just as easy. Brian and his team are professional and personable. Highly recommended
Duncan Cameron
19:54 28 Oct 20
Brian and his team made applying to a mortgage as easy as possible. They have a very clear and straightforward system. Brian and his team regularly updated us and sent us encouraging messages as we moved through the steps. They got us a low rate.
Sandrine Catris
15:14 28 Oct 20
Easy application and underwriting process, very friendly team that communicated often and well, and got us a great rate!
Olivia Lockhart
21:12 16 Oct 20
Brian and his team are communicative and efficient! They helped demystify the home buying process and made it as simple as possible. They were all available to me via phone, email, or text -- however I preferred to communicate, they were responsive. I also appreciated that I was able to accomplish everything up through signing online and on my own time. Great team, and I'll continue to recommend them to my friends and colleagues!
Jenny Lane
20:37 12 Oct 20
Edit Sept 2020: I just completed a refi with Brian Manning's team. It's so great to work with actual humans who are local, knowledgeable, and available. Very happy with my rate and experience.__Brian was referred to me by my real estate agent. From start to finish, I found him to be both highly professional and personable, knowledgeable and available for last minute inquiries. I'm happy to recommend him and his entire team.
Tina Edelein
19:18 29 Sep 20
Brian Manning has been the Mortgage Broker for two of our family members now. As a first home buyer, I had been told it's one of the most stressful experience to have but it was so easy. He and his team walked me through every step of the way and also got me the lowest rate I could ever imagine - locked in with no penalities for paying extra if I want to! The welcome gift was also a lovely touch. Thank you!
Hana Caruso
16:48 18 Sep 20
We were very happy working with Brian on our mortgage when we bought our house five years ago, so when it came time to refinance we reached out to him – in addition to two other lenders, to have some offers to compare. Brian’s team was so much more responsive and helpful than anyone else. In less than a day, we’d received detailed breakdowns of potential costs for several refi scenarios – something we were never able to get from the others. The whole process was clear, simple and efficient, and the team always let us know what to expect next. Any questions were answered promptly. We even closed well in advance of the initial estimated date. With interest rates low, the mortgage industry has a lot of business now can probably take or leave yours; but Brian has always treated us like we matter to him.
Paul Madden
16:33 18 Sep 20
Brian got me an amazingly low interest rate, easily beat out any other lender I spoke with. In addition he was super knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and responsive. 5/5 stars would highly recommend him and his team to help you buy your home.
Zach Sturm
23:34 08 Sep 20
Brian's team made buying our first home much easier than expected. From the beginning, he called us to walk us through every step of the process, and his team regularly followed up on deadlines and action items so that we didn't miss anything. Plus, the paperwork and payment processes are VERY secure. I never felt at risk of fraudulent activity. Definitely recommend Brian and his team, especially if you are buying a home for the first time.
Maria Giordano
14:04 05 Sep 20
Brian and his team were amazing! They made our first time home purchase a breeze!!! Highly Recommended
Aaron Dickinson
03:01 05 Sep 20
I just refinanced through Guaranteed Rate and couldnt have been happier with Brian Manning's team!From the time I applied through final closing Brian was thorough, communicative and timely. I received a very competitive rate and I would definitely recommend them to anyone.Our closing was super convenient and the title company Brian organized met us at the location of our choosing - our backyard.Bottom line: you will be very happy if you choice Guaranteed Rate!Kind regards,Issac
Ike Gill
15:28 04 Sep 20
Brian made this process so painless and stress-free. He was wonderful from the start and answered all of my questions. His team was also great and made this whole experience easy and enjoyable. I highly recommend him and his team.
Brendan Doyle
21:59 01 Sep 20
Brian Manning and the whole Guaranteed Rate team were excellent throughout my process. As a first time home buyer, the process can be overwhelming, but Brian was very effective at communicating with me clearly and making sure I was comfortable the whole way. Will definitely recommend to family and friends!
Marie Moore
14:26 01 Sep 20
Brian Manning and team of Guaranteed Rate Inc. are superb! They are attentive, responsive, and professional. Brian is always avialble, patiently answers any questions you have and is happy to explain the lending process to you. We have used Brian for both our original purchase nad re-finance and happily recommend him to our friends. Give him a call, he be glad to provide you the best numbers he can get you!
Lisa Peraino
21:55 29 Aug 20
Would highly recommend Brian Manning and his whole team. All are extremely responsive, friendly, and helpful every step of the way! They truly made the purchase of our first home an enjoyable one!
Cory Schmid
03:56 27 Aug 20
My family has worked with Brian and his team a couple times now - each time they are very professional and are there every step of the way - HIGHLY RECOMMEND using them - Thanks Brian and Team!
Jared Brooks
19:09 07 Aug 20
Brian and his team are great. Smooth process the whole time. He was available for my texts and phone calls. Highly recommend Brian and his team!
Steve V
15:23 06 Aug 20
Brian and his team were attentive, proactive, and extremely helpful throughout the entire process. By phone call, text, or email, I got all the guidance and answers I needed (its my first time buying a home so I had plenty of questions). I can't recommend them enough!
James Brock
21:21 30 Jul 20
I hired his team twice, 1st time for a new purchase and 2nd time for a refinance. They did fantastic job on both (with low rate and smooth process). Highly recommend Brian as a lender.
Pu Zhang
00:59 24 Jul 20
Brian and his team were outstanding. Brian delivered on everthing he said that he would do. The process was quick and painless. I would recommend Brian for any loan needs that you have.
Peter Hooper
02:56 15 Jul 20
Huge shoutout to Brian and team (especially Lexi) for their exceptional service throughout my first-time home buying experience! Brian was able to beat competitors’ rates and made the whole process so easy I caught myself asking, ‘that’s it?’Great communication. No fuss. Highly recommend!
C. Scott
00:05 15 Jul 20
I've worked with Brian twice now and I am ridiculously impressed every time. Refinancing toward the beginning of the quarantine meant a lot of unknowns existed about the process. Brian and his team were so on top of it though that we had no problems at all. We were even able to do a totally virtual closing. Awesome experience as always.
Cate Seago
23:06 07 Jul 20
Brian is best! Always goes above and beyond, highly recommend for any and all lending needs.
Chris Edwards
20:03 06 Jul 20
We highly recommend Brian and his team. They did such a great job of walking us through the process, answering all of our questions, and just overall being available and helpful. He helped us with purchasing our first home and again when we were ready to refinance. He is a great choice for anyone looking for a lender in the Boulder area.
Christina Burton
23:50 27 Jun 20
Brian and his team have been fantastic to work with on our recent refinance. I had several questions about the refinance process and the team was always very patient, personable and informative. I now not only understand the process, but I'm very satisfied with my new loan! Very smooth transaction and a friendly team to work with!
Chris Burton
23:41 27 Jun 20
My husband and I just closed on our 4th property. We first went with a morgage lender that we had previously worked with. Six weeks later, after multiple delays, long hours spend faxing documents, and several last minute "no can do because of COVID," we switched to Brian. Brian got us underwritten in 7 days! His professionalism, attention to detail, understanding of the market, and overall care and enthusiasm made it happen. We could not have been successful without Brian. This has been by far the best experience we've ever had with any mortgage lender!
Jie Mao
23:00 27 Jun 20
I met Brian 4 years ago when I first moved to Boulder and he's been a valuable resource over the years leading to my first home purchase this summer. He coached me through the home buying process with a great ability to simplify and explain all the moving parts. His team is also very nice and easy to communicate with. 10/10 would recommend Brian Manning.
Joshua DSouza
13:04 10 Jun 20
Brian and his team did an outstanding job on my last loan. No paper was used throughout the process and we closed online. This is the second loan we have done and I would highly recommend his team!
Emmett Dowling
16:08 05 Jun 20
Brian Manning and his team of expert loan specialists were amazing throughout our recent refinance process! The attention to detail was really impressive. We couldn't have asked for a better result and would highly recommend their friendly group. They are personable, they are organized, and they are so good at providing an exceptional level of service.
Ben Kanner
17:37 03 Jun 20
As a first-time home buyer, I went into the mortgage process completely clueless (and a little scared!) but Brian made me feel informed and safe over our time working together. When we first met, he set aside a lot of time to explain the nitty-gritty of the mortgage process end-to-end, including answering all my newbie questions with friendliness. He checked in with me frequently, he used his economics expertise to help me score an absolutely outstanding rate, he made sure his end of the closing went smooth as silk, and he followed up with a hearty congratulations and another Q&A session after the closing. Not once did I have a question or concern that Brian couldn't address. Top marks!!
Brendan Barwick
23:39 23 Apr 20
We've worked with Brian and his staff on three occasions now (one home purchase and two refinances), and he has been incredibly helpful, and giving of his time, as we worked through each transaction. He is always patient and prompt with fielding our questions, the underwriting process is well-organized and efficient, and his is able to offer a quicker closing date than other lenders. I have recommended his office to our friends, and whenever we will have a need for a lender in the future, Brian is who we hope to work with again: he and his staff have my strongest possible recommendation.
Levente Szentkirályi
18:35 23 Apr 20
Brian and his team at Guaranteed Rate were attentive through the entire process of getting approved through moving into my new home. They were available for questions when they came up and I loved that I could sign paperwork online with time to read through it and not rushed to figure it all out sitting at closing. Thank you!
Angela Borland
15:00 18 Apr 20
I have used Brian Manning twice now -- one for my original mortgage loan 2 years ago, and again just recently for my refinancing. In both instances it was a perfectly pleasant and seamless experience. This most recent time was especially wonderful -- I was leaving town for the COVID-19 lockdown and wasn't able to meet in person for my closing. So not only did he push to ensure the closing happened before mortgage rates shot up again, he got me the lowest rate out there AND enabled me to close virtually, which I didn't even know was possible. I'd work with Brian again any day of the week. Even on Saturday, when for some reason he still takes work calls.
Allison Hardy
17:26 10 Apr 20
Great experience refinancing. Easy to use online signing and great costumer service
Brooke Fawcett
23:07 02 Apr 20
This was our second time buying a home, and Brian has stood out among all the lenders we've worked with. Brian was incredibly clear, responsive, and thoughtful throughout. He always offered the time to explain things and made service his #1 priority. I highly recommend working with him.
Elliot Freeman
02:50 02 Apr 20
Brian and team are extremely knowledgeable, able to answer complex questions in a simple and straightforward way and are simply put pleasant to work with. I can't suggest Brian enough for anyone shopping for a mortgage.
Chris Vonderhaar
21:21 01 Apr 20
Brian and his team provide the highest level of customer service that I have received in the lending world. They do a fantastic job of keeping you updated, answering any questions you have, problem solving, and making sure you are comfortable throughout the process. They are very competitive and a joy to work with. I highly recommend Brian and his team if you want a stress free and smooth process.
Madison Cervo
21:04 01 Apr 20
Been through both our first home purchase and a refinance with Brian and his team and have nothing but good things to say. They're friendly, quick to reply to our endless questions, and a blast to work with. Thanks y'all!
Nellie Stephenson
21:03 01 Apr 20
Brian and his team were great to have on our side during our first time house purchase process. They were able to answer all of our questions, and explained everything in clear detail. The entire process was made very easy to comprehend and seamless, which helped a lot since we had so many other things going on with a first time purchase.
Yannick Polius
23:18 18 Jan 20
Jayde Douthat
04:12 15 Jan 20
I recommend Brian Manning and his team to anyone looking to purchase a home or refinance. I've worked with other mortgage companies in the past, and Brian Manning's service and products are far superior to other companies. Very smooth process from application to closing.
Brian Seiffert
19:07 16 Dec 19
We had a great experience working with Brian Manning. This is our first Colorado home and Brian and his team made the whole process seamless. He was incredibly organized, answered our questions (however silly) and let us know about all of our options. We appreciated how Brian and his team let us know about the rise of wire fraud and took every measure to make sure our transactions were safe and secure. Brian was always available at any time via the secure online portal, phone or email. We were very pleased with the customer service and would not hesitate to recommend him and his team!
Theo Vereecken
19:38 17 Nov 19
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Contact The Brian Manning Team Today
You think you found it – the Colorado home you’ve been looking for. But now you’re on pins and needles wondering if you’ll be approved for financing. Contact us and let The Brian Manning Team make your mortgage process simple.