Any form of home financing is a major commitment for a long period of time, and for many of us, our homes are the biggest investment we’ll ever make. They can be our greatest source of equity and wealth or our most intimidating expense and responsibility. Sometimes they’re both.

At Loanry, we can’t make these sorts of decisions quick or easy, but they’re not the sorts of decisions which should be either of those things. What we can do is offer some insight and preparation as you begin your journey and some tools to make it less overwhelming. Whether you’re looking primarily at a Rural Home Loan or something more traditional, the entire Goalry.com family is available 24/7 with information about different loans and mortgages, online tools to compare your options, or convenient forms to connect you to a variety of lenders. Everything we do is available to you wherever you happen to be and whenever you choose.

Compare loan options on your tablet over breakfast or read up common terminology associated with your mortgage on your cell phone while the kids are at karate practice. Read up on tax preparation tips while your spouse watches football or let them compare investment options while you’re caught up in the latest televised baking competition. This is the 21st century, and whatever its challenges, there’s no reason to make personal or small business finance more complicated than they need to be. Life is hard enough. Let’s make money talk a bit easier.

Buying a home is a huge commitment, no matter what method you use or where it’s located. Even refinancing or doing home renovations are major undertakings. They all come with risks, but few things are as rewarding as owning or improving upon your own home – especially on the day you make that final payment and it’s 100% yours.

You want to make the best decisions you can when you’re choosing a home, whether it’s new or previously enjoyed, huge or tiny, urban or rural. None are entirely as perfect as we might have imagined, but most have at least a few things we find appealing, making the choice both easier and more difficult after every open house. Somewhere along the way, however, is one that makes more sense than the rest. The trick is knowing when we’ve found it, despite our enthusiasm for X, our concerns about Y, or the challenges of Z.

Choosing the right financing is the same way. Some things you know you simply must have – a particular monthly payment, for example, or the ability to roll insurance and other charges into the loan. Other details you may be willing to negotiate, as long as the lender works with you a bit as well. Do your research and weigh your decision, but once you’ve done all you can do, don’t spend too much time or energy second-guessing yourself. It’s time to move forward and make this the right call. It’s about what you do going forward that counts.

Your options when buying a home with a USDA Rural Mortgage or any other type of loan are going to be shaped by your credit rating. Your official credit score and detailed credit history impact what interest rates and other terms are available to you, or whether you qualify for a USDA-backed mortgage at all. Once you’ve got that loan, however, every payment you make (or don’t) shapes your credit future. It takes time to raise your credit score and build a positive credit history, but it doesn’t always take as long as you think. And it starts right now.

A stronger credit history and better credit score means more options and lower rates in the future. That mean more disposable income and more opportunity. Money may not buy happiness, but access to financing on favorable terms gives us greater access to opportunities, and experiences, and things we can enjoy with those we love – and those things sometimes have a great deal to do with whether or not we’re happy. Whatever your current situation, it can quickly get worse or you can decide to keep making it better. If you choose the latter, we can help.