Beyond The Transaction Member Newsletter - Summer 2025
In this edition of Beyond The Transaction...
Meet Your Mortgage Expert, Brooke Sommers
Congratulations to the 2025 Charles M. Cook Scholarship Winners
Meet Your Mortgage Expert, Brooke Sommers
An Exclusive Interview
Did you know June was National Homeownership Month? Throughout the month, we posted Mortgage Monday tips and tricks on social media channels and interviewed our in-house mortgage expert, Brooke Sommers. Check out a *snapshot* of what she said and what you need to know when you buy your next house.
Q: What is your role at Partners 1st Federal Credit Union? I am a Mortgage Loan Originator. If someone is interested in buying, building, or refinancing a home I help them see what they would qualify for and provide our different options to help choose the best fit for them.
Q: When is a good time to buy? It is a common misconception that there is a good or bad time to buy. I think life circumstances oftentimes determine when it is the right move for an individual to buy. There are a lot of different factors that affect this but I do think that with rates being a little higher and more homes currently on the market, now is actually a great time. If buyers wait for rates to come down before buying there will be more buyers in the market. This tends to make things more competitive when making offers and oftentimes drives the price of the home up even further. With more homes for sale and slightly less buyers looking, it is much easier right now to negotiate seller credits for closing costs or buying the rate down.
Q: What do members need to start the application process? To start the application not much is needed other than some personal information that most buyers would have readily available. Once the application is taken we would request documentation based on that member’s situation. Most common items we’re asking for upfront are things like; paystubs, W2s, tax returns, retirement income documentation, and bank statements. In other words, we would just want to document any income and any assets being used to qualify for the loan.
Q: Why should a member get pre-approved for a mortgage? If a member is considering moving or even just casually looking around at houses they should always get preapproved first. It’s not uncommon for a home to hit the market and then have offers right away. If a member finds a home they love but are not preapproved first, they might miss out on the chance to even make an offer on it. We do very often get preapprovals sent within the same day, but sometimes this isn’t even quick enough. Being preapproved ahead of time gives them the time to take care of anything that might need taken care of to qualify first, and gives them the advantage of being one of the first to make an offer on a home as to not lose out on that opportunity.
If you are ready to start your home search, give Brooke a call at 800.728.8943 or 260.366.7007.
The Nominating Committee is considering members who are willing to serve as volunteers for the Board of Directors, Associate Directors, or a committee. Any member who wishes to be considered should call or email AVP of Human Resources Abby Macy.
All respondents will be sent an informational packet that contains a description of duties and responsibilities and an application for nomination. Note: Meetings take place in Fort Wayne, IN, but there is an existing travel reimbursement policy in place with options to teleconference.
Nominations close at 5pm on October 10, 2025. Anyone who wishes to petition for nomination after the deadline has until November 28, 2025. All members who wish to become a candidate must collect 200 signatures. If a ballot process is required, the annual election of officers will be conducted by mail.
Abby Macy, AVP of Human Resources
Phone: 260.471.8336 or 800.728.8943
Email: amacy@partners1stcu.org
Partners 1st Federal Credit Union
1330 Directors Row
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Go Off To College… In Style ⭐
*First-year College Students *
It’s time to hunt for the stuff you will need for your home away from home, your dorm room. Dorm rooms have limited space, so you should get creative with storage and determine your needs versus your wants.
Did you know that the average college student spends over $200 on just decorations for their dorm? Since you are already footing the bill of higher education, dorm decoration costs may have slipped your mind. That’s okay! You can apply for a credit card today! This flexible line of credit will be with you every step of your college journey.
21+ event goers enjoyed samples of the best wine, distilled beverages, brews, and more while listening to live music. Proceeds supported local development, maintenance, and awareness of trails in Huntington County.
The biggest business-to-business event of the year! This family-friendly festival included live entertainment, kids activities, prizes and giveaways, and more! We set up shop as one of the vendors this year. Did you see us?
We were a sponsor at Solfest to help rejuvenate one of Fort Wayne’s natural jewels: Fox Island County Park. Every year, Solfest celebrates music, community, and the environment and this year was no exception. The day was packed with nonstop music and local artisan booths – with proceeds supporting the continued maintenance of our local parks.
You screamed, we screamed, we all screamed for ice cream! We partnered with Kate’s Kart and helped hand out free books and goodies at local ice cream shops to support Kate’s Kart’s mission: raise over $110,000 to continue to foster love and books for hospitalized children and their families.
We are joining the homecoming festivities! Partners 1st staff will be handing out candy during the parade on Saturday. Don’t miss this weekend of music, rides, games, fireworks, and more!
Partners 1st Federal Credit Union will be closed on Friday, July 4, for Independence Day.
We are proud to once again be the title and water bottle sponsor for the Fort Wayne Museum of Art Chalk Walk in downtown Fort Wayne, IN! Chalk Walk’s goal is to draw the city’s most creative citizens together to contribute to the largest community art project in the region, attracting families, friends, and supporters of a vibrant cultural life in Fort Wayne. Our team will be onsite all day handing out water bottles and Partners 1st swag to artists and spectators alike, and running the Activity Tent from noon to 4pm. Come see us!
Share your favorite credit union stories with us on Facebook on July 25 with the hashtag #ILoveMyCreditUnionDay
Partners 1st Federal Credit Union will be closed on Monday, September 1, for Labor Day.
