By Ali Lemmons
There’s something special about life in the country—wide open spaces, room for horses to roam, and putting down roots on land that you can call your own. For Cullen Nowell and his family, this dream became a reality when they purchased a home on a 48-acre tract of land in Whitwell, Tennessee. But finding the perfect plot of rural land takes more than just a dream—it takes the right partner to guide you on your journey.
Enter Mike Congdon, Rural 1st loan officer. With a deep understanding of rural financing and a commitment to supporting rural communities, Mike has helped countless families achieve their dreams of living a rural lifestyle. Backed by a trustworthy team and specially designed financing, Rural 1st is proud to help families like the Nowells.
Meet Mike: Experienced Loan Officer
When it comes to rural lending in Chattanooga, few people bring more financial and hometown knowledge than Mike. With almost 30 years of experience in branch management, loans, and mortgages, Mike has a reputation for helping families with care and expertise throughout the entire process—and his lifelong connection to the area further sets him apart.
“Mike still lives in the house he was raised in and has spent his adult life working and serving his community,” says Brett Butler, regional vice president of sales at Rural 1st. “He not only has lending experience to provide customers with excellent service, but he knows the community as well as anyone else.”
Whether clients are looking to finance a homestead or a tract of land with room to grow, Mike understands both the landscape and the people who call it home.
The Nowell Family’s Journey
Cullen Nowell and his wife, Madison, always knew that they wanted land to raise horses and a family on. After a friend recommended a property in Whitewell, Tennessee, it only took the couple one visit to know they had to have it—even though it was on the very edge of their price range.
“That’s where Mike and the people at Rural 1st came in,” says Cullen. “We had to get a loan for more than I thought we were going to be able to get, and they were extremely helpful in helping us secure it.”
Despite a tight time crunch and worry that they couldn’t secure such a substantial loan as a young couple, Mike stepped in and made a daunting process feel doable. From always keeping them up-to-date to giving advice on property value in the area and more, Mike helped the Nowells close on their dream home smoothly—and right on schedule.
“Working with Rural 1st took all the headache out of an extremely nerve-racking process,” adds Cullen. “It let us be excited about getting the property instead of being worried about the loan the whole time.”
Now, thanks to Mike and the team at Rural 1st, the Nowells are planning for the Whitwell property to be their generational family house. Cullen and Madison look forward to riding dirt bikes, adding more horses to their herd, and raising their growing family—including their two-year-old son, August, and baby Amelia, who’s on the way.
For those looking to make their own transition to the rural area, Cullen advises: “Rural 1st would be my first call. From the first phone call to the last, Mike was right there with us, giving us updates the whole time.”
The Rural 1st Difference
Financing a rural property requires a different approach compared to traditional homes—and that’s why Rural 1st was born. With unique cooperative values and specialized loan officers, Rural 1st offers tailored options for lot, land, construction, and home loans for those looking to move beyond the city limits.
“When working with Rural 1st Loan Officers in Tennessee, you can expect to have service from professionals that understand you,” says Butler. “Our teams are not only financial professionals, but have a passion for living in the country. Rural Tennessee is not only what we hope to help folks access, it’s also hard-wired into who we are.”
Beyond just understanding their customers, Rural 1st is dedicated to securing the future of rural communities—and they’re not going anywhere.
“Rural 1st offers Tennesseans long term fixed rate options and our commitment to financing rural properties doesn’t change with the markets,” finishes Butler. “We continue to be a staple for our borrowers to provide competitive and fair financing options when you want to live out of town.”
With trusted local experts like Mike and a team that truly values the rural lifestyles that they support, Rural 1st continues to be a dependable partner for rural homebuyers in Tennessee.
For those interested in making the switch to rural living, connect with a loan officer in your area or explore loan options at rural1st.com or by calling 1-844-GO-RURAL.
