SIMPLIFYING BARN HOME FINANCING:
A Conversation with Janet Orozco Feller

September 1, 2023

by Janet Orozco Feller

Owning a barn home is an exciting milestone. But between construction, permits, and custom finishing, the financing process can also seem complex.

That’s why we interviewed Janet Orozco Feller, Contractor Success Manager at HFS Financial, to demystify residential barn loans. HFS Financial is a leading provider of financing solutions for residential projects and one of National Barn Company’s Trusted Experts.

In this quick Q&A, we’ll not only learn how to get pre-approved and boost your chances for financing, but we’ll also get to know Janet better.

Whether you’re just starting your search or nearly ready to build, Janet shares a few key pieces of advice for securing your barndo or barn home loan. Her expertise provides the clarity and confidence needed to make financing easy and enjoyable.

What’s your favorite thing about what you do?

I love what I do! Providing financing for home improvement projects enables people to create their dream living spaces in an affordable and manageable way.

What advice would you give someone who’s looking to finance a custom barn?

Understand that your ability to borrow and what interest rate you will pay is a function of both credit and debt-to-income ratio, which is your monthly debt divided by your gross monthly income. The maximum debt-to-income ratio is 45% including the loan for the barn.

We only run a soft credit check initially so we will be able to tell you how much you are qualified to borrow, what your interest rate and monthly payment would be, as well as what your term options are, without impacting your credit score. So, nobody has to be afraid to apply. Be sure to have your estimate for your custom barn ready before you apply to ensure that you know how much money you will need.

How long on average does the lending process take?

On average, the lending process takes 2-3 weeks from application to funding. Of course, this is highly in the control of the borrower. To make the process go as quickly and as smoothly as possible, be sure to upload your required loan documents in a timely manner.

Why do you think barns are so important to American heritage and culture?

When I think of barns, I think of American farming culture. Barns are the center of the farm because they protect the family’s livestock. But they were also front and center when it came to social events and celebrations. I picture a farming family gathering in the barn for a wedding or birthday celebration, surrounded by their community while enjoying classic American comfort foods and dancing and singing to lively music performed by the neighborhood banjo player. It’s American nostalgia at its finest.

Share a personal motto or mantra that keeps you motivated and focused on your goals.

Focus on the positive and let go of the things you cannot control.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

Fantasy by Earth Wind and Fire. It makes me feel like anything is possible.

Where were you born and raised, and what do you love about where you grew up?

I was born and raised in Hudson County, NJ. I am a first generation American, and I grew up in a town that was a melting pot of immigrants fighting for their piece of the American Dream. There were a lot of languages spoken and many different ethnic foods and cultural events. But as different as we may have been, we were united in our fervor to work hard, rise up, and make better lives for ourselves and our families.

Janet’s passion for helping clients create their ideal living spaces shines through. We’re grateful she shared her wisdom with us! With a trusted lender like HFS Financial guiding you, the journey to owning your custom barndo or barn home can be smooth, stress-free, and enjoyable.

Be sure to follow Janet’s advice to get pre-approved early so that you can maximize your buying power and chances of approval. Remember to ask questions to fully understand your options and supply requested documents promptly to speed things along.

Are you ready to start your barn home loan process? Visit the HFS Financial website to estimate what your payment will be then, submit an application. It only takes a few minutes.

If you’re still in the early planning stages, let our team at National Barn Company help you bring your barndo or barn home vision to life. START HERE

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