Making Rural Roots a Reality

Originally published in CityScope Magazine.

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 Rural 1^st® customer Cullen and his family, this dream became a reality when they purchased a home on a 48-acre tract of land in middle Tennessee. 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 the team at Rural 1^st. With a deep understanding of rural financing and a commitment to supporting rural communities, Rural 1^st has helped countless families achieve their dreams of living a rural lifestyle. Backed by a trustworthy team of experts and specially designed financing, Rural 1^st is proud to help families like Cullen and his wife, Madison.

The Family’s Journey

Cullen and Madison always knew that they wanted land to raise horses and a family on. After a friend recommended a property in middle 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 our loan officer and the people at Rural 1^st came in,” said 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, their loan officer 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, their close on their dream home came smoothly—and right on schedule.

“Working with Rural 1^st took all the headache out of an extremely nerve-racking process,” added Cullen. “It let us be excited about getting the property instead of being worried about the loan the whole time.”

Now, thanks to the team at Rural 1^st, Cullen and Madison are planning for their property to be their generational family house. They 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 1^st would be my first call. From the first phone call to the last, they were right there with us, giving us updates the whole time.

The Rural 1^st Difference

Financing a rural property requires a different approach compared to traditional homes—and that’s why Rural 1^st was born. With unique cooperative values and specialized loan officers, Rural 1^st offers tailored options for lot, land, construction and home loans for those looking to move beyond the city limits.

“When working with Rural 1^st Loan Officers in Tennessee, you can expect to have service from professionals that understand you,” shared Brett Butler, Rural 1^st regional vice president of sales. “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 1^st is dedicated to securing the future of rural communities—and they’re not going anywhere.

“Rural 1^st offers Tennesseans long term fixed rate options and our commitment to financing rural properties doesn’t change with the markets,” finished Brett. “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 and a team that truly values the rural lifestyles that they support, Rural 1^st continues to be a dependable partner for rural homebuyers in Tennessee.

Interested in making the switch to rural living? Discover the full list of states where Rural 1^st loans are available or explore our specialized products today.