Your   homeownership journey starts here

The mortgage process simplified.
Fast approvals, local experts, trusted results.

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Vicky Howe-Orusa promoting trusted financial solutions with Preferred Rate.
Beautiful modern craftsman house with landscaped front yard and double garage.
A stunning modern craftsman-style house featuring a landscaped front yard, large windows, and a spacious double garage.

NMLS: #227796

Vicky Howe-Orusa

Sr. Mortgage Advisor

There are only a few things people cherish more than their home. The home where Family and Friends gather. Where Love Grows. I have had the good fortune of helping thousands of families and individuals finance their homes throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana for more than 30 years.

If you are looking to purchase or refinance a home, let’s talk. I work hard to make it easy for you to make the best decision for your specific situation. I understand the credit process innately. As your advocate, I walk through each step of the process, from application to close. Seeing my customers receive the keys to their new homes is what makes this worthwhile.

Specialties: I especially enjoy guiding first-time homebuyers and Veterans through the mortgage maze. I have in-depth FHA and VA loan experience. To all my past and future Veteran clients: I salute you!

Licensed in:

IL and WI

Why work with me?

5.0/5 Rating

47 reviews

Real clients. Real results.

Vicky was great, and very helpful in all the process.In hard market times she was experienced and helped me get approved.Will use her service again in the future and recommend her service 💯

Chris H

This was the second loan i worked with Vicky to obtain. Like the first time, she handled so many difficult situations that came up and pushed right through them. She doesn't sit around and just wait for things to unfold, she steps in front of any issue and gets it done. Even when we thought the closing was going to be delayed, she pulled out all the stops and we closed as scheduled. I WOULD STRONGLY recommend Vicky for any financing needs.Chuck

Chuck

Everything was excellent, I couldn't have asked for more! Vicki did a fabulous job

Anthony Z

Excellent service responded quickly to all questions. Very professional and helpful throughout the whole process

Anthony M

Excellent service responded quickly to all questions. Very professional and helpful throughout the whole process

Anthony M

What a fantastic experience I had dealing with Vicky Orusa. she was extremely knowledgeable and could answer all of my questions in a timely fashion. Simply outstanding.

Tracy M

Vicky was amazing, there are no words to thank her and her team for helping us with this process. She was very helpful and professional. We wouldn’t have our home if it wasn’t for her.

Felipe C

Vicky was amazing, there are no words to thank her and her team for helping us with this process. She was very helpful and professional. We wouldn’t have our home if it wasn’t for her.

Felipe C

Vicky Orusa was absolutely a pleasure to work with. She's very knowledgeable, helpful and kind. I truly appreciated her response time, expertise and just great customer service. No question was ever too dumb for me to ask. She is truly great at her job and I would definitely recommend her to others. Thanks again!

pamela w

Our house closing was under severe stress and a very tight deadline. While many contracts took the better part of 6 1/2 weeks minimum to complete. We had 23 days! Vicky was outstanding at responding in a timely manner. We had everything in order on time and it was always because she knew who to contact, and what was coming next. Our timeline was narrowly met even though we were way ahead of the normal schedule. Talk about a squeaker. Thanks Vicky, you are the best!

Sean B

Vicky seemed to really care about insuring that we were successful in getting the financing that we needed. I was impressed with both her professional and friendly manner of getting things done!

Cheryl B

Vicky has helped us with our last 2 home purchases. She is very patient with our questions and super helpful/organized. Highly recommend!

Alyssa M

Vicky was the best! We were in contact a lot! Every time I had a question she got right back to me! She even worked nights and weekends to help us! We appreciate everything she has done for us!

Stacey D

Vicki was awesome such a great help !!!

Dawne P

Vicki was very helpful through the loan process. she kept me updated and kept me informed of any documents needed. She answered all my questions and concerns. I am a returning customer, I highly recommend her.

Margarita C

Loan Programs

Spacious living room with comfortable seating, large windows, and stylish decor.
A bright, inviting living room featuring a blue sofa, wooden chairs, and a fireplace with logs, perfect for relaxing or entertaining.
DSCR Loans (Investment Loans)

Featured

Beautiful modern craftsman-style house with a landscaped front yard and garage.
A stunning craftsman-style home featuring a welcoming porch, modern design, and the 1% Home Loan Program.
1% Home Loan Program

Featured

Man using smartphone at home, exploring conventional loan options.
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Conventional Loans

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Comfortable living room featuring a fireplace, wall-mounted TV, and stylish decor for a welcoming ho.
A welcoming living room with a fireplace, wall-mounted TV, and elegant decor, ideal for relaxing and entertaining in a cozy home setting.
Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

Featured

Refinance Loan
Child on Veteran's shoulders with American flag, symbolizing VA loan benefits.
Supporting veterans and families with VA home loan options and resources.
VA Loans
USDA loan approval process for rural home financing.
A couple stands outside a new house, symbolizing rural homeownership with USDA loans.
USDA Loans
FHA loan approval process with Preferred Rate for homebuyers.
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FHA Loans
Beautiful blue house with landscaped yard, ideal for low down payment mortgage options.
Charming blue home surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for those seeking low down payment loan solutions.
Low Down Payment Loans
Beautiful house exterior with porch, windows, and landscaped yard.
A charming two-story house featuring a spacious front porch, large windows, and a well-maintained lawn, ideal for HELOC loan considerations.
HELOC Loans
Happy couple working on home renovation inside a room with construction tools.
A smiling couple during a home renovation project, standing on stairs with construction supplies around them.
Home Renovation
Luxury home with a spacious driveway and well-maintained landscaping for jumbo loan financing.
Explore jumbo loan options for financing high-value homes like this beautiful property.
Jumbo Loans
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Comfortable man working on a laptop at home, highlighting flexible bank statement loan options for homebuyers.
Bank Statement Loans
Construction financing solutions for building your dream home or project. Expert guidance for seamle.
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Construction Financing
Beautiful manufactured home with a welcoming porch and landscaped yard.
A charming manufactured home featuring a spacious porch and lush landscaping, ideal for comfortable living.
Manufactured Home Loans
Colorful Victorian-style condominiums with detailed architecture and lush greenery.
Beautiful Victorian-style condominiums with intricate details and vibrant colors, perfect for condominium loan options.
Condominium Loans
Healthcare professional loan options for doctors and medical staff. Secure funding to grow your medi.
Image of a smiling doctor holding a clipboard in a medical office setting. Perfect for promoting medical professional loan services.
Medical Professional Loans
Nurse smiling with tablet, promoting first responder loan programs.
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First Responders | Nurses | Teacher Loans
Affordable community lending options for homebuyers.
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Community Lending
Buydown mortgage rates with temporary payment reductions.
Learn how temporary buydowns can lower your mortgage payments during the initial years of homeownership.
Temporary Buydowns
Modern two-story house with garage, ideal for bridge loan financing.
A contemporary two-story home with a spacious garage, perfect for real estate bridge loans and investment opportunities.
Bridge Loans
Expanded Income Loans for Home Improvements.
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Expanded Income Loans
Loan options for international clients seeking financial solutions.
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Loans for Foreign Nationals
Home loan options for quick approval and competitive rates.
Simplify your home buying process with Preferred Rate's SmartBuy program.
Click n’ Close SmartBuy National DPA
Expanded Credit Loans living room with modern furniture and cozy decor.
Comfortable living room featuring yellow armchairs, a fireplace, and a flat-screen TV, ideal for home improvement financing options.
Expanded Credit Loans
Senior couple exploring reverse mortgage options on laptop.
Elderly couple discussing reverse mortgage benefits using a laptop at home.
Reverse Mortgages
Seller PreLock Program for homeowners to secure home sale options.
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Seller PreLock Program
Preferred Rate Pathway DPA Program interior design.
Spacious living room with contemporary furniture and a sleek kitchen setup.
Pathway DPA Program
Rhyze HELOC
Secure lock program for home safety and security.
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Secure Lock Program

Refinance With Purpose

Every refinance starts with a goal. Whether you want to lower your payment, shorten your term, or access equity, we’ll build a strategy around
what matters most to you.

Consolidate Debt

Simplify what you owe. Use your home’s equity to combine high-interest debt into one  payment.

Lower Payments

Improve monthly cash flow. Even a small rate adjustment can create  savings over time.

Get Cash Out

Access equity with intention. Turn your home’s value into funds for renovations, education, retirement, or financial goals.

Change to Fixed Rate

Stabilize your payment. Move from a variable rate to predictable payments built for long-term planning.

Refinance VA Loan

Use a VA refinance program to improve your terms, access cash, or reduce your monthly payment.

Discover your home’s value instantly.

Get a personalized home value report powered by real market data. Track equity, explore trends, and stay informed about your property and mortgage loan.

Home loan approval process with competitive rates at Preferred Rate. Secure your mortgage today with.
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We'll watch the market for you

Set your target interest rate and we’ll notify you when it hits. No spam, just smart alerts.

Mortgage Loan Calculator

Estimate your monthly payment in seconds.

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Information and interactive calculators are made available to you as self-help tools for your independent use and are not intended to provide investment advice. We cannot and do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regard to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes.

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