When will I know my mortgage rate?

After you receive your pre-approval letter, you’ll have an idea of current rates based on your qualifications. However, your rate isn’t officially locked until you choose to lock it in – and that lock is only valid for a set number of days. I’ll help you monitor the market and decide the best time to lock your rate with confidence.

What does a mortgage calculator do?

A mortgage calculator gives you a clearer picture of what you can afford by estimating your monthly payment based on home price, down payment, interest rate, and more. It’s a great starting point to help you plan your budget and feel more prepared as you begin your home search.

What credit score do I need to qualify for a mortgage?

The credit score required to buy a home differs based on the type of loan you’re applying for. But in general, the higher your score is, the easier it will be to get a great mortgage loan and a better interest rate.

What documents do I need to apply for a mortgage?

You will generally need to provide proof of income (pay stubs, W-2s), two months of bank statements, tax returns (if self-employed), and a photo ID. These documents verify your financial standing for pre-approval.

Joel Scheer | Mortgage Loan Officer

Meet our happy homeowners***

View All Testimonials

Samuel M V.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jun 16, 2025, 12:18 PM

Joel was incredibly knowledgeable, communicative, and enjoyable to work with throughout our homebuying process. He consistently checked in, kept us informed at every step, and made sure we always knew what to expect. His responsiveness and willingness to answer any questions we had helped ease any stress or uncertainty. Joel’s dedication and expertise made the entire experience smooth and straightforward.

Kelsey Anne R.

Huntington, IN, Jul 16, 2025, 2:51 AM

Joel was the absolute best! I've enjoyed working with him and always knew he was looking out for my best interest!

Kaleb M R.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jul 22, 2026, 9:08 PM

Fantastic communication, super helpful with informaction. Made the process super smooth and easy

Michael B.

Huntington, IN, May 26, 2023, 5:10 PM

Communication with us was the greatest thing due to past experiences!

Sydney G S.

New Haven, IN, May 29, 2023, 11:31 PM

Communication was really well!!

Katie Suezann S.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jun 18, 2023, 4:10 PM

Joel was amazing and really helped us as first time home buyers. He was attentive, responsive, and answered all of our questions. We formed a great relationship with him and will always keep in touch!

Stacy Y H.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jun 26, 2023, 4:15 PM

Everything went wonderful, we were treated like family. I don't think anyone could have done better!! THANKS AGAIN!

Samuel M V.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jun 16, 2025, 12:18 PM

Joel was incredibly knowledgeable, communicative, and enjoyable to work with throughout our homebuying process. He consistently checked in, kept us informed at every step, and made sure we always knew what to expect. His responsiveness and willingness to answer any questions we had helped ease any stress or uncertainty. Joel’s dedication and expertise made the entire experience smooth and straightforward.

Kelsey Anne R.

Huntington, IN, Jul 16, 2025, 2:51 AM

Joel was the absolute best! I've enjoyed working with him and always knew he was looking out for my best interest!

Kaleb M R.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jul 22, 2026, 9:08 PM

Fantastic communication, super helpful with informaction. Made the process super smooth and easy

Michael B.

Huntington, IN, May 26, 2023, 5:10 PM

Communication with us was the greatest thing due to past experiences!

Sydney G S.

New Haven, IN, May 29, 2023, 11:31 PM

Communication was really well!!

Katie Suezann S.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jun 18, 2023, 4:10 PM

Joel was amazing and really helped us as first time home buyers. He was attentive, responsive, and answered all of our questions. We formed a great relationship with him and will always keep in touch!

Stacy Y H.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jun 26, 2023, 4:15 PM

Everything went wonderful, we were treated like family. I don't think anyone could have done better!! THANKS AGAIN!

Shayfer K S.

Mccordsville, IN, Jul 10, 2023, 4:33 PM

Everything was great! Joel walked us through every step- being a first time homebuyer, this was greatly appreciated! Joel knows his stuff!

Heidi H.

Columbia City, IN, Jul 17, 2023, 11:55 AM

Joel is very knowledgable, prompt and we closed on our home weeks EARLY! He is simply the BEST!

Philip T H.

Columbia City, IN, Jul 20, 2023, 11:59 AM

Joel rocks! All went GREAT!!

Joshua M Y.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jul 23, 2023, 12:02 AM

Joel was incredibly helpful, he had answers to all of our questions and made the process extremely simple!

Tina L S.

Huntington, IN, Jul 24, 2023, 4:05 PM

Joel was better then we could have ever imagined…we were new to this and he made us feel smart and in control when really we were scared poopless…he is amazing and I highly recommend him to everyone I talk to…

Alexis M Y.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jul 26, 2023, 11:42 AM

Joel was great to work with. He really took the time to explain the entire process to us. He made sure we were on the same page and answered all of our questions. The entire process went smoothly.

Aaron L C.

Huntington, IN, Sep 14, 2023, 6:33 PM

Joel was a true professional and very knowledgeable throughout the entire process. He made my first home-buying experience a very positive one, and I am so grateful for that!

Conner D R.

Fort Wayne, IN, Oct 2, 2023, 4:38 PM

Every thing was very professional and actual got to closing a week earlier than expected so thanks you and your whole team for making it happen

Shayfer K S.

Mccordsville, IN, Jul 10, 2023, 4:33 PM

Everything was great! Joel walked us through every step- being a first time homebuyer, this was greatly appreciated! Joel knows his stuff!

Heidi H.

Columbia City, IN, Jul 17, 2023, 11:55 AM

Joel is very knowledgable, prompt and we closed on our home weeks EARLY! He is simply the BEST!

Philip T H.

Columbia City, IN, Jul 20, 2023, 11:59 AM

Joel rocks! All went GREAT!!

Joshua M Y.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jul 23, 2023, 12:02 AM

Joel was incredibly helpful, he had answers to all of our questions and made the process extremely simple!

Tina L S.

Huntington, IN, Jul 24, 2023, 4:05 PM

Joel was better then we could have ever imagined…we were new to this and he made us feel smart and in control when really we were scared poopless…he is amazing and I highly recommend him to everyone I talk to…

Alexis M Y.

Fort Wayne, IN, Jul 26, 2023, 11:42 AM

Joel was great to work with. He really took the time to explain the entire process to us. He made sure we were on the same page and answered all of our questions. The entire process went smoothly.

Aaron L C.

Huntington, IN, Sep 14, 2023, 6:33 PM

Joel was a true professional and very knowledgeable throughout the entire process. He made my first home-buying experience a very positive one, and I am so grateful for that!

Conner D R.

Fort Wayne, IN, Oct 2, 2023, 4:38 PM

Every thing was very professional and actual got to closing a week earlier than expected so thanks you and your whole team for making it happen

Calculate Based on Your Individual Needs

Purchase Calculator

Property Costs

Home Price

Down Payment

Property State

Monthly Property Tax

Home Insurance / mo.

HOA / mo.

Loan Details

Loan Type

Length of Loan

Credit Score Range††

Interest Rate

Est. Monthly Payment†

$770.00

Principal & Interest

$770.00

Property Taxes

$0.00

Home Insurance

$0.00

HOA Fees

$0.00

PMI

$0.00

Total Monthly

$770.00

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A Bit About Me

At Ruoff Mortgage, being a loan officer means being more than a lender. I’m your advocate, guide, and trusted partner during your homebuying journey. I take pride in educating clients, answering questions, and creating tailored strategies that fit their unique goals. From our first conversation to closing, I’m there every step of the way.As a loan officer with Ruoff Mortgage, I’m dedicated to delivering a premium home financing experience built on trust and transparency. Whether you're a first-time buyer or refinancing, I provide personalized loan solutions and expert insight to help you move forward with confidence. My goal is simple: to make homeownership feel achievable, informed, and stress-free.

Awards & Achievements

Top Mortgage Lenders

The Scotsman Guide’s list of Top Mortgage Lenders, a ranking of the nation’s top-producing mortgage companies.

Ruoff Customer Experience Award

Awarded for outstanding commitment to clients, a core component of Ruoff’s philosophy.

President's Club

7x Winner

Awarded to loan officers who consistently exceed volume targets and deliver exceptional client satisfaction scores across all closed transactions.

My Latest Blogs

When Property Taxes Rise, Escrow Adjustments Can Shift Your Mortgage Payment- Here's Why

Aug 3, 2026

Property taxes in Allen County and nearby Huntington County love to play a game of 'guess what's next.' When they climb, your escrow account notices first, and suddenly your monthly mortgage payment starts acting like it joined a gym membership you never signed up for. The good news? You're not stuck watching the numbers dance without a say in the matter. Understanding how escrow works with rising taxes gives you real options, and a few laughs along the way never hurt either.

Meet our happy homeowners***

Calculate Based on Your Individual Needs

A Bit About Me

Awards & Achievements

My Latest Blogs

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