This blog post was published by Chis O’Shea from SavvyMoney Hub with commenting by Wendy Hoekstra, Vice President – Retail Lending from First Community Bank and Trust. What you should know about title insurance companies. People buy and sell houses all the time. Yet how many of those people understand what the title is and what a title insurance company does? Titles are a big part of buying or selling a home. Here’s what you should know. Title Company Basics A title
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This blog post was published by Chis O’Shea from SavvyMoney Hub. How hard inquiries impact your credit score When you apply for a mortgage, a personal loan, a credit card, or an auto loan, the lender checks your credit report to determine your creditworthiness. When that happens, it’s called an “inquiry.” And there is such a thing as too many inquiries. Here’s what you need to know. Hard Inquiry vs. Soft Inquiry There is a difference between hard inquiries
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This blog post was published by Chris O’Shea from SavvyMoney Hub. Steps to prep for a mortgage Buying a home is exciting, but you must make sure you have all your ducks in a row before undertaking such a big financial move. The more you plan, the better off you’ll be. Here are some steps to take that will prepare your finances for a mortgage. Raise Your Score One of the most important things to do before applying for a mortgage is to make sure your credit score is as high
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The Internet is much more than a tool for casual browsing. It’s ingrained in everything we do—from paying bills to shopping for a home. Among all generations of home buyers, the first step taken in the home search process was to look online for properties, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2022 Home Buyer and Seller Generation Trends report. With so much information available at your fingertips, it can be hard to make sense of it all, especially for a process
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Beecher, IL (June 1, 2023)—In recognition of National Homeownership Month, First Community Bank and Trust (FCBT) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are encouraging current and prospective homeowners to consult their trusted local community banker about how to make the homebuying process easier and more affordable. “Owning a home is a major financial undertaking and can be an important component in building generational wealth,” said Steve Koehn, Senior Vice
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February 1, 2022 Banks need to send sensitive documents all the time, but secure email is clunky. Greg Ohlendorf of First Community Bank and Trust worked with a partner to make that hassle a thing of the past. By Colleen Morrison, Independent Banker When it comes to innovation, sometimes it’s all about finding the right partner: one who shares community bank values. So believes Greg Ohlendorf, president and CEO of First Community Bank and Trust in Beecher, Ill. “Innovation
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Temperatures are slowing climbing and everyone is thinking spring. Spring is the busiest home selling and buying season in most areas, therefore, it can be quite competitive. If you're looking to make your big move in the next few months, it's time to get prepared.  1. Speak with a loan officer. A professional loan officer will help you figure out how much house you can really afford. Loan officers are experts in the home buying process and can help you better understand your
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Beecher, IL (July, 2020) Home maintenance can be overwhelming, but staying on top of the small stuff can save you money and help you avoid emergency repairs. This summer is sure to be very different than usual and most of us will be keeping our distance and staying home. What better time to take care of your biggest investment? Check out this brief list of necessary home maintenance tasks to take care of this summer and throughout the year: Gutters - Clogged gutters can cause
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Tags: community bank, home maintenance, homeowner, mortgage, mortgage loans, new home

Beecher, IL (June, 2020)—The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and First Community Bank and Trust in recognition of National Homeownership Month in June, are reminding current and prospective homeowners of the resources that community banks offer that make financing easier and more affordable. “For most people, buying a home is an investment in their future and a foundation upon which to establish community ties and amass financial security,” said
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Tags: home loan, homeowner, mortgage loan, mortgage rates, new home

Temperatures are slowing climbing and everyone is thinking spring. Spring is the busiest home selling and buying season in most areas, therefore, it can be quite competitive. If you're looking to make your big move in the next few months, it's time to get prepared.  1. Speak with a loan officer. A professional loan officer will help you figure out how much house you can really afford. Loan officers are experts in the home buying process and can help you better understand your
Read More

Tags: home buying, homeowner, mortgage loan, preapproval, Spring