If you’re looking for a mortgage loan, it makes sense to turn to Midwest BankCentre, said Damir Krajina, a mortgage lender for the company, which has 16 branches in the St. Louis area, including ones in Arnold, Imperial, Crystal City, De Soto and Fenton.
“We’re in the top 10 as far as rates, so we’re extremely competitive,” said Krajina, who’s based at the Oakville branch. “The fees we charge are low, and we don’t do hidden fees. It’s a very straightforward process, and our loan officers have a lot of experience.”
He said the company invests in the community, with 95 cents of every dollar staying in the St. Louis area in the form of loans to local residents.
“We are interested in serving our community because that’s where we live as well,” Krajina said.
He said today’s market is “challenging” because of the recent rise in interest rates and competition for homes that go on the market. However, he said, it’s still a good time to buy.
“Historically, it’s always been a good time to buy,” he said. “In the ’80s, people faced interest rates in double digits, but now those people are looking at the equity they have in their homes, not the interest they paid.
“There’s a huge housing shortage that won’t go away anytime soon, so buying now is still the smart thing to do, rather than paying rent. If you look at the long term, housing is the safest investment there is.”
He also said it’s likely interest rates will come down again.
“Although you’re paying higher interest rates right now, there’s the possibility of refinancing in a year or two and lowering that,” Krajina said.
For information, go to the company’s website at midwestbankcentre.com.
