FAQ
Straight answers.
Grouped by what people actually ask: working with the team, money, and timing. If yours isn’t here, text it.
Working with The Williams Group
Do I have to live in Franklin to work with you?
No. The team is based in Franklin and closes most loans across Middle Tennessee, but Jeramy is licensed in eleven states — Tennessee, Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina and Wisconsin — and Fairway lends nationwide.
What’s the fastest way to reach you?
Text 615-610-6010. Jeramy or Josh replies personally, usually within the hour during business hours (Mon–Fri 8–8, Sat 9–5). Email williamsteam@fairwaymc.com works too.
Will I work with Jeramy or get handed off?
Jeramy structures every loan and is your point of contact for decisions. Josh and Dave handle the day-to-day so nothing waits — you’ll know all three by name, and all three know your file.
Do you charge for a consultation or pre-approval?
No. The conversation and the pre-approval are free. Costs only enter the picture when you have a contract and a loan is actually being made.
Money
How much do I need for a down payment?
As little as 3% conventional, 3.5% FHA, or $0 with VA or USDA. Qualified buyers can layer THDA Great Choice Plus on top for up to $15,000 (or $25,000 on new construction). Twenty percent is a choice, not a rule.
What will my monthly payment be?
Try the What’s My Payment calculator for a Williamson County-tuned estimate, then text Jeramy a listing and get the real breakdown with the actual county taxes and an insurance quote.
Are there down payment assistance programs in Tennessee?
Yes — THDA’s Great Choice Plus is the big one, with deferred, amortizing and new-construction options. The THDA page has the county limits, credit requirements and the honest cost of each option.
What does it cost to buy a house beyond the down payment?
Closing costs typically run 2–4% of the price and include lender, title, appraisal and prepaid taxes and insurance. Seller credits, builder incentives and THDA can reduce it substantially. You see the total cash-to-close before you offer.
Timing
How long does pre-approval take?
Usually about a business day once documents are in — pay stubs, W-2s, two months of bank statements, ID. Same day is common.
How long does it take to close?
30–45 days from accepted offer is typical for an existing home in Middle Tennessee. New construction follows the builder’s completion date; we manage the rate lock around it.
Should I wait for rates to come down?
Nobody can time rates. If the payment on a home you love works today, buy the home; if rates drop meaningfully later, refinancing is a phone call. Waiting has costs too — Middle Tennessee prices and rents keep moving.
I’m relocating to Franklin — when should I start?
Before you visit. A pre-approval in hand means you can write an offer on the trip rather than on the flight home. Relocations with a new job offer letter are very doable.
Have a question? Just text the team.
No pressure, no jargon, no obligation — a straight answer from a team that has been doing this since 2002. Text, call, or apply whenever you’re ready.