Samantha Bayless
Sales Support Manager | Senior Loan Officer
NMLS: 460970
Ready to help make your homeownership dreams come true through advocacy, guidance, and education.
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100%
Customer Satisfaction Score.
Awards
19
Years of helping homeowners like you.
Proudly serving Illinois, Indiana
Loans Designed to Meet Your Individual Needs
Personalized mortgage solutions that fit your unique needs, because we understand that one size doesn't fit all.
Frequently Asked, Frequently Answered
Starting with clear, direct answers to the questions that matter most to your future.
An FHA loan allows you to purchase a home with a lower down payment while also offering more flexible credit requirements. This makes it a popular option for first-time buyers or anyone looking to get into a home sooner without needing a large upfront investment.
We offer a comprehensive suite of home loan products, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and reverse mortgages, for both purchases and refinances. We specialize in unique financing options like renovation loans, new construction loans, and specialized programs such as HomeNow™ down payment assistance.
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.
Closing costs typically range from 2-5% of the home’s purchase price and cover fees like appraisals, title insurance, and loan processing.
PMI is insurance for the lender if you put less than 20% down on a home. It can be removed once you build enough equity.
Yes, you can buy a home while paying off student loans, even with significant debt, as long as you meet credit, income, and debt-to-income (DTI) requirements. Ruoff Mortgage assesses your total monthly payments, not just the total loan balance, to determine affordability.
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.
To determine how much mortgage you can afford, use the Ruoff Mortgage Affordability Calculator, which estimates your maximum home price based on income, debt, and down payment. Generally, lenders recommend keeping your total monthly housing payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) between 25% and 36% of your income.
Your monthly mortgage payment typically consists of PITI: Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. This combined payment often includes an escrow account to manage property taxes and homeowner's insurance, along with potential mortgage insurance, ensuring your payments are simplified and covered.
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A Bit About Me
I can stand on my head—a hidden talent I don’t use every day! While my career may not involve acrobatics, my dual roles as Sales Support Manager and Senior Loan Officer keep me moving and solving problems. With more than two decades in banking and mortgage lending, I’ve learned that questions are valuable. I encourage borrowers to ask anything and make sure they understand their options. I enjoy helping borrowers find solutions, even when credit challenges make homeownership more complicated. I stay educated on many loan programs, with a special place in my heart for USDA loans thanks to my lifelong connection to farming and 4-H.
Mortgages aren’t always easy, but experience and a willingness to find solutions can make all the difference.
I am from a farm family and I still enjoy helping out when I can. During fall harvest, you can usually find me driving a tractor.
I’m a Purdue graduate with a degree in Animal Sciences. I originally planned to become a veterinarian, but somehow ended up in banking and mortgage lending instead! Boiler Up!
I’m on a quest to visit all the MLB ballparks and see all the teams in person. Current score: 18 teams and 10 stadiums. I’ve even checked off a team and ballpark that no longer exist!
Awards & Achievements
Top Mortgage Lenders
The Scotsman Guide’s list of Top Mortgage Lenders, a ranking of the nation’s top-producing mortgage companies.
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At Ruoff Mortgage, customer satisfaction is at the core of everything we do. We are the experts, so you don't have to be.*