HOW IT WORKS
Apply
Click the APPLY NOW button above and start the online application process. This will take approximately 15 minutes of your time.
Review
Discuss your pre-approval at length. Answer any questions or concerns you may have. We provide guidance where needed.
Shop
With your pre-approval in hand, you are now ready to start shopping! When you find a home you love you can place and offer with zero delays!
Obtaining Home-Ownership has a lot of Steps –Step #1 Get Pre-Approved
Most people start shopping for homes before getting pre-approved. If you haven’t reviewed your loan options with a banker or broker, please stop looking at homes and apply for a loan. You don’t want to get excited about buying a property and not be able to qualify for the price range your shopping in. You also want to make sure you have enough funds for your down payment and settlement fees. Your real estate contract requires some specifics about your financing including but not limited to; down payment, interest rate cap, amount financed and type of loan being applied for. Your Realtor can’t properly fill out the contract without the information and the seller will want to see a pre-approval prior to signing your offer. Also, if you’re buying a property in Florida, please use a Florida banker or broker locally for financing. We see numerous buyers use online lenders or lenders in other states and transactions consistently have delays and issues. If you are in need of financing for your home please don’t hesitate to contact us, we are here to answer any questions you have about obtaining a mortgage including programs, processes, and costs. The State of Florida is a challenging market where lending regulations and guidelines seem to be changing every day. We are committed to helping you find the right mortgage product for your needs, and we will make the process of securing a mortgage as simple and straightforward as possible.
Innovative Mortgage Services, Inc. – Sarasota Branch
Christopher M. Hunt | Branch Manager
About Chris
Chris Hunt is the Principal Broker of Hunt Brothers Realty and Branch Manager of IMS located in Sarasota. Chris has worked in the regional mortgage industry since the late 1990s. As a mortgage broker, and then as an account executive for a top producing lending corp., he has trained in every aspect of the mortgage business. He has worked directly with borrowers, underwriters and appraisers, processors, closing, and funding departments for over 19 years.
About Innovative Mortgage Services, Inc.
Innovative Mortgage Services (IMS), is a successful Florida-based brokerage founded in 2004. IMS has over one hundred state-licensed mortgage originators, seven branch offices and is a licensed lender in Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama. IMS offers competitive mortgage programs for all residential properties, including conventional and government loans, USDA, reverse mortgages, and non-prime lending sources.
Our Team
Chris Hunt
Broker
I began my real estate career in the mortgage industry in 1999, and I obtained my Real Estate license in 2002. My brother, Rob Hunt, and I started Hunt Brothers Realty in June 2012.
I believe selecting a Real Estate Broker that has knowledge from all aspects of the industry is critical to a successful transaction. As a local real estate professional I will guide you through the complexities of buying or selling your home, eliminating hassles and stress to the best of my ability.
EXPERIENCE:
· Real Estate Sales - since 2002 – Broker since 2014
· Mortgage Industry - Retail and Wholesale - since 1999
COMMITMENT:
I will provide sound and trustworthy advice to help you achieve your goals. I will do the leg work, keeping you up-to-date with new listings and conditions as they impact the market. I believe in using my skills in finance, contract negotiation, and marketing to your best advantage.
INTEGRITY:
Buying or selling a home is one of the most important transactions in the lives of many people. My clients trust me with their most valuable asset. It's a responsibility I take very seriously.
Thank you for the opportunity to earn your business, I look forward to working for you.
MORTGAGE
Chris Hunt is not only a Real Estate Broker, but also a licensed mortgage loan originator with Innovative Mortgage Services (IMS), a successful Florida-based brokerage founded in 2004. IMS offers competitive mortgage programs for all residential properties, including conventional loans, government loans (FHA/VA), USDA, HARP refinance program, and reverse mortgages.
Chris has worked in the regional mortgage industry since the late 1990s. As a mortgage broker, and then as an account executive for a top producing lending corporation, he became deified in every aspect of the mortgage business. He has worked directly with borrowers, underwriters and appraisers, processors, closing, and funding departments.
While an account executive, Chris was able to build relationships with over 300 local mortgage brokers and bankers which is extremely beneficial to his clients. If Chris does not have your mortgage program available through IMS, then he will, most likely, have a source that can help you.
Christopher Hunt
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #938295
Nicole Merriman
Executive Loan Assistant
Nicole has been working in the mortgage industry for almost 15 years. The ever-changing mortgage industry has always been both challenging and rewarding to her. She especially enjoys working closely with clients and agents to help assemble all of the pieces of the "mortgage puzzle" and get everyone to the closing table.
Buying a home is typically the largest financial transaction most people will make in their lifetime and it can be stressful. Nicole works hard to make sure she's making the mortgage process as stress-free as possible and is committed to working closely with her clients from loan application through closing. Nicole has an acute attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a passion for customer service which is always number one on her priority list.
Nicole comes to the Sarasota/Bradenton area by way of Rochester, NY. Drawn to the famous white sand beaches, beautiful turquoise water, and endless sunshine, she and her family decided to relocate to the Bradenton area in 2012. Nicole is happily married to her husband Dan of almost 17 years and they have two lovely daughters.