“Trust in your loan officer.”  Stef Russell, Dakota West’s mortgage expert in Watford City offered her simplest advice to those navigating the home-buying process.  “The process can be time consuming, and there’s a lot of paperwork, but trust in your loan officer to help make the process easier.”  Creating trusting relationships with her borrowers ensures Stef lives her Dakota West values.

She sees her community as full of opportunity and potential.  She admits as she drives around Watford City she observes which houses are for sale.  She knows who is moving out, who is looking, and what is happening in the community’s real estate market.  Having knowledge of her community gives her the ability to help our members plan and take action when the time is right to buy the perfect home.

Nearing her fourteenth anniversary with Dakota West this month, Stef acknowledges she does not keep count of how many mortgages she has helped close.  “Can we just say, ‘Many,’” she asks glancing at the stack of folders on her desk.  Each one represents a family moving towards a more secure future in Watford City and she wants each one to be special.  She finds the best part is when the process is complete.  “It’s nice to see someone who’s worked so hard – the relief in their body language.  Getting into a house is memorable.”

She’s also navigating her older son’s senior year, but knows it is still too early in the school year to think too intently about what happens after graduation.  One thing she does know is that when the time comes for them to buy their first houses, they’ll turn to Stef for advice.  “They’ll have no clue – they’ll come to their Mom.  They won’t have any idea where to start.  They’ll come to me not just because of what I do, but because I’m their Mom.”

If you are getting ready to start the process of buying your first home, or you’re just considering a new place as your family is growing and changing, reach out to Stef, or any of our home mortgage loan officers at 800.411.7590.  We can do this together.