When you call Intra-Mortgage, you reach a real loan officer in Ohio, not a call center three states away reading from a script.
Answer a few quick questions to get a personalized starting home price range.
No credit pull. No obligation. No calls unless you ask for one.
Takes about 3 minutes. Not a loan application or commitment to lend.
Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest, and that growth shows up differently block by block. Short North lofts, Clintonville bungalows, Hilliard subdivisions, and New Albany planned communities each carry their own price dynamics, homeowners association (HOA) rules, and appraisal considerations. A loan officer who only knows Ohio at the state level can miss details that matter at closing.
Appraisals in Columbus can be a real pressure point right now. When inventory is tight and offers come in over list price, appraisers sometimes struggle to find comparable sales that support the agreed price. We walk buyers through how appraisal gaps work, what options exist when an appraisal comes in short, and how your loan type affects those options before you are ever in that situation.
Columbus draws a wide mix of buyers: Ohio State University staff and faculty, healthcare workers at OhioHealth and OhioState Wexner Medical Center, first-generation homebuyers in neighborhoods like Whitehall and Reynoldsburg, and move-up buyers heading toward Dublin or Westerville. Each of those situations calls for a different loan strategy, and our team is built to handle all of them.
We're not a lead-generation site that sells your information. We're a licensed mortgage team, and we're here in Ohio.
You work with a licensed mortgage team and a loan officer who knows this market, not a national portal that sells your information to the highest bidder.
We know Columbus's neighborhoods, appraisers, title companies, and county quirks, because we close here every week.
You get one loan officer with a direct line, not a 1-800 number and a different rep every time you call.
Licensed across OH, IN, PA, TX and more. Moving out of state later? We can likely still be your lender.
Not sure which fits? See what you may qualify for above, or read the full guide on any option below.
As little as 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. The most flexible path for first-time and credit-building buyers.
FHA in Columbus3–5% down for strong-credit buyers. Mortgage insurance drops at 20% equity — the long-term cost winner.
Conventional guideZero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, for eligible veterans and active-duty service members.
VA loan benefitsLower your rate, shorten your term, or tap equity. We'll run the break-even math honestly.
Refinance optionsDown payment assistance, education, and step-by-step guidance built for people buying their first home.
First-time buyer guideCompare FHA vs. Conventional side by side, or talk to a loan officer who'll run both on your actual numbers.
Compare loan typesOhio buyers can often stack state and local assistance on top of an FHA or conventional loan to cover part, sometimes all, of the down payment. What you qualify for depends on your income, the home, and the program.
No credit pull to start, we'll check your assistance eligibility with you.
We close loans across the entire Greater Columbus metro, city neighborhoods, suburbs, and the core counties we serve.
A clear four-step path, with a real person guiding you at each stage.
Answer a few questions, no credit pull, no obligation. We'll tell you what you can realistically afford in Columbus.
~60 secondsA full application and verified pre-approval letter, the kind Columbus sellers take seriously in a multiple-offer situation.
1–2 daysYour file goes through full underwriting, appraisal, title, and conditions handled by a team you can actually reach.
2–3 weeksSign, fund, and get your keys. We coordinate with your local title company to keep closing day smooth.
Day of closeJoe Heister and Katie Smith are outstanding to work with. Joe is professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about his clients — he goes above and beyond to make sure everything goes smoothly from start to finish.
I'm a real estate agent and have known Joe Heister for over 15 years. I have always respected him as a lender with integrity who consistently puts his client's interests first.
As a first-time homebuyer, I had so many questions about the mortgage process, but Katie made everything so much easier. From the beginning she took the time to explain every step and answered all my questions patiently.
I recently refinanced with loan officer Mitra Dhital, and he was very helpful and professional throughout the process. He explained everything clearly and made the experience smooth and stress-free.
Thank you to Keshabi Acharya for making our home buying experience so smooth and stress free. She was very quick to respond and very knowledgeable on the topic of loans.
I worked with Joe Heister and Katie Smith and the process was seamless. Professional, organized, and low rates. Highly recommend.
Yes. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, a government-backed mortgage that allows lower down payments and more flexible credit requirements, is available throughout Columbus and the surrounding Franklin County area. Keep in mind that FHA loans require a mortgage insurance premium (MIP), a fee that protects the lender, which affects your total monthly payment. A loan officer can show you how FHA compares to other options for your situation.
It depends on the loan type. FHA loans can work with credit scores as low as 580 in many cases, while conventional loans typically prefer scores of 620 or higher. A lower score does not automatically disqualify you, but it can affect which programs are available. The best first step is a conversation with a loan officer who can review your full picture, not just one number.
Yes. Ohio has several down payment assistance (DPA) programs, meaning help covering the upfront cash needed to close, and some are specifically available to buyers in Franklin County and the Columbus metro area. Eligibility usually depends on income, purchase price, and the loan type you use. Our team can walk you through which programs you may qualify for before you start shopping.
A typical purchase loan closes in 30 to 45 days, though that window can shift based on the complexity of your file, the loan type, and how quickly third parties like appraisers and title companies can turn around their work. In a competitive Columbus market, being fully pre-approved before you make an offer helps you move quickly and gives sellers confidence in your financing.
That depends entirely on your personal finances, your timeline, and your local neighborhood goals. Columbus continues to grow in population and job base, which has historically supported housing demand across areas like Gahanna, Grove City, and Groveport. We do not predict the market, but we can help you understand what your buying power looks like today so you can make an informed decision on your own terms.
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is how much of your gross monthly income goes toward debt payments each month. Lenders use it to gauge whether you can comfortably carry a mortgage alongside your existing obligations. Most loan programs set a maximum DTI, and Columbus buyers carrying student loans or car payments often find this is the number that needs the most attention before applying.
Both. Intra-Mortgage is a licensed mortgage lender and broker, so we can match your loan to the program that fits instead of pushing a single in-house product. For Columbus buyers that flexibility helps across FHA, conventional, and government loan options. Either way, you work with a loan officer you can actually reach.
Columbus offers a range of neighborhoods, a growing job market, and several down payment assistance programs. Here is what first-time buyers should know before starting.
Read articleOhio offers several statewide programs that can reduce upfront costs for first-time buyers. Learn which programs stack with FHA loans and what to watch before applying.
Read articleLearn how much income you need to buy a $300k house with an FHA loan in Dayton, OH, based on DTI guidelines and local costs.
Read articleIn-depth guides on loan programs, limits, and buyer assistance across Ohio.
See what you qualify for in about a minute, or talk to a loan officer who actually knows the Greater Columbus market.