Tasting Wine & Loan Design

A good wine has a smooth finish just like closing your loan with a local lender. Other similarities? Taste in wine is unique to each individual, just like your loan. No two customers are the same, just like no two vintages are the same, and most importantly, drinking wine is a great way to bring people together and create memories with friends and family.

No one knows this unexpected pairing quite like Loan Officer Bill Weakley. Bill joined the mortgage business in 2012, but before that he was in the restaurant industry, taking courses to become a Sommelier and offering a unique and unforgettable wine experience to his customers.

Bill says, “I fell in love with the culture and community that I became part of in the wine industry. What started as a hobby to help with the customer experience in my restaurant quickly turned into a lifelong passion.”

And there are more similarities between his two careers than you might think. 

“It’s still about providing the best possible customer experience, but the stakes are higher now,” says Bill.  “It’s not a few hours like when a family goes out to dinner; it’s 30 to 45 days of getting to know my clients, and I have the opportunity to make their homebuying and mortgage experience unforgettable.”

See what Bill recommends for pairing, with “Tasting Wine & Loan Design.”

FHA Loans & Ruffino Prosecco 

Saving for a down payment is the largest obstacle to buying a home for first-time buyers. With an FHA loan, borrowers only need 3.5% of the purchase price to put down, which is why so many first-time buyers go with an FHA mortgage. On top of that, the guidelines are less restrictive for qualification when it comes to your credit score, collections, and student loans.

Bill’s Paring: “Your first home should be a celebration, and to me, that means anything sparkling! Champagne is a classic, but prosecco is cheaper and can be just as tasty. Prosecco grapes are grown in Italy, and it’s often known “Poor man’s champagne.” I recommend the La Marca Prosecco. It’s great for a toast in your new kitchen or backyard.”

VA Loans & The Octagon
If you or your family member is in the military, a VA loan provides a number of benefits including zero money down, lower interest rates, and no mortgage insurance.

Bill’s pairing: “So many of my neighbors and friends are military, so it’s an honor to help military families find homes and get a great loan product. For this pairing, I chose a BIG American, Virginia red blend, that’s actually made in Virginia by Barboursville. Octagon is a blend of four grapes- Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, traditionally found in France but grown in Virginia. The Cabernet gives this wine a big flavor, but the Merlot adds the softness and the combination of the four makes for a very smooth, full flavor.”

203k Loans & Wild Horse Merlot
A 203K loan provides customers with a loan for the home purchase, as well as the renovations needed, with a one-time close. Basically two loans, rolled into one closing. With a 203k loan you can make any home your dream home that fits into your price range.

Bill’s pairing: “When you do a renovation loan, you’re embarking on an adventure! You need a wine that’s versatile, and that’s the Wild Horse Merlot from California.  This is my wife’s favorite Merlot, it’s a medium body, and it goes with just about anything. Plus, at around $15 a bottle you’ll have plenty of money left over to invest in your home renovations.”

Jumbo Loans & Opus One
Jumbo loans are for any home that exceeds the conforming conventional loan limit and requires at least a 20% down payment. Jumbo loans allow you to finance your home without being restricted by the dollar amount.

Bill’s pairing: “Oftentimes my clients who choose a jumbo loan are purchasing their forever home. It’s their third or fourth purchase and they plan to stay in the home long term. Just like you’re “aging” (hopefully gracefully) in your forever home, the Opus One is a great pairing for your jumbo loan. It’s a Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley, and it’s a little more expensive than the other options on the list, but it’s worth it. My wife and I opened a bottle of the 1994 vintage on our wedding day in 2009, and it’s one of my favorites.”

No matter what your preferences in wine, you can feel confident that your local loan officer is going to listen to your wants and needs and pair you with a loan that fits your unique needs. So, cheers to you finding your new home with help from your hometown lender!  

 The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of TowneBank Mortgage, its affiliates and its lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend.