Financing that meets your needs

When it comes to financing your new Kissing Tree home, Chip Jenkins is here to help. As a BRP Home Mortgage Loan Consultant (NMLS #657574), Chip has more than 24 years of experience in guiding customers through the home buying process. Many of you may have met him at our recent KTX weekend, and you can see a video of our Modern Finance Tools panel here. We sat down to hear about common questions he gets asked, why he likes working with Kissing Tree customers, and why buyers should go with BRP Home Mortgage (spoiler alert: no lender fees!).

KT: Thanks for doing this, Chip! Are there any questions you get all the time?

Chip: Well, everyone always wants to know about rates and where I think the market is heading, and that is changing all the time. Kissing Tree buyers usually have a general idea of what they need, and they’ll ask questions about different loan programs. 

KT: What kind of financing are Kissing Tree buyers normally looking for?

Chip: They often want to take out a 15-, 20-, or 30-year note or even an adjustable rate mortgage. With Kissing Tree customers, it’s all about simplicity and convenience, and we have everything under one roof — it’s a one-stop-shop for their purchase.

KT: What’s the advantage of going with BRP Home Mortgage?

Chip: Because we originate and close loans in house, we’re all one team, and our same band of processors and underwriters are very familiar with builder transactions. There’s also the fact that I’m constantly communicating with Brookfield and the title company throughout the process, and outside lenders often don’t know who to go to. Plus, because of the partnership BRP has with Brookfield, we don’t charge any lender fees, which can save customers between $1500 – $2500. Every little bit helps!.

KT: Is financing a home now different than it was in the past?

Chip: In many cases, getting financing in 2025 might require more documentation than the last time Kissing Tree customers bought a home. As is the case with all new home purchases, buyers need to provide some initial documents to get pre-approval for their loan upfront, and then they have some approval conditions that need to be satisfied to reach the finish line. 

KT: What paperwork should buyers be prepared to pull together?

Chip: Qualifying for a loan is like putting a puzzle together. We’ll need to verify the sources of income and where the funds for down payment and cash to close are coming from. Reviewing the credit report is another piece. Those are the main components that I need to get buyers approved and ultimately closed. Kissing Tree buyers often have several sources of income, such as Social Security, a pension, dividends, and interest — all of those can be used to get them qualified.

KT: What’s the first step to get qualified?

Chip: The application process can be done online. Or, if people aren’t computer savvy, we can do it together over the phone, or I can meet them in person at the Welcome Center and we can do it together. I’m here onsite every Thursday when all the New Home Counselors are there. 

KT: What’s your favorite part of your job? 

Chip: I’ve met so many wonderful, colorful people — the nicest people! They’ll give you the shirt off your back even though you’re a total stranger. Educating customers about the loan process and helping them navigate through it to reach the finish line in a smooth and timely manner, that’s one of the favorite aspects of my job. And Kissing Tree is such a cool community! When I first drove through the entrance, my jaw dropped. It’s so well maintained — it’s unlike any community I’ve ever been a part of. 

KT: We can’t do an interview without asking our favorite KT question – do you have any pets? 

Chip: My wife and I have a 10-month-old Great Dane named Indy — he’s 120 lbs already and spoiled rotten. We also have a cat, Luna, who hails from Bahrain. When our daughter was in the Navy, she rescued Luna from dogs and flew her home, and we inherited her. 

Thanks, Chip for sharing your wisdom! To get in touch with Chip, find him online or in the Kissing Tree Welcome Center most Thursdays. And if you still need to find your Kissing Tree dream home, don’t miss these move-in-ready homes that are currently available.