Tony and Lisa Ocampo are certainly no strangers to hard work. Operating a 650-acre thoroughbred farm in Lexington, Kentucky, demands long days and dedication. “I'm up at 5 a.m. getting started with bringing the horses in,” said Tony. “We do everything from foaling to racing and selling horses. It's very long days; however, the hard work is rewarding.”
To distract from their busy day-to-days, Tony and Lisa decided to search for a quiet escape—a place to unwind and build a legacy for their entire family. After receiving an advertisement for a land sale in Salina, Tennessee, they decided to take a day trip and view the property. Little did they know, their perfect escape and a long-held dream inspired by their late son, Wyatt, was waiting for them.
Wyatt, who passed away in 2019 right before the COVID-19 pandemic, worked for the family farm and had always wanted a family lake house. “Going to the lake was something Wyatt really enjoyed. He would say, ‘Dad, we need a lake house,’ Tony recalled. “We were so focused on work and our busy lives that it just wasn’t in our plans. After we lost him, we realized how important it was.”
After arriving at the property, Tony and Lisa knew immediately that it was exactly what they were looking for. Tony and Lisa saw the land as a potential investment and a way to honor Wyatt's memory for both them and their two daughters.
The process of acquiring and financing the property and building a log cabin—appropriately named "Wyatt's Wish"—was incredibly smooth and easy. Rural 1st and Senior Loan Officer Brandon Savage streamlined the entire process from financing to construction, allowing Tony and Lisa to focus on their healing journey and build.
“We didn't even have to go to Rural 1st, they came to us,” she said. “Brandon was always available when we needed him from the beginning of the process all the way to closing.”
Thanks to the help of Rural 1st, their log cabin is everything they wished for; it’s a sanctuary and filled with Wyatt’s favorite design elements and cherished memories. "It was part of our therapy," Tony reflected. "It kept us focused on something positive."
They found solace in the simple pleasures of lakeside living and a much-needed respite from the daily grind. Beyond the property, Tony and Lisa discovered a vibrant and welcoming community, surrounded by others who’ve been drawn to the peaceful, rural lifestyle of small-town Salina.
Rural 1st helped Tony and Lisa get Closer to What Matters®. “In life, you don't know if you're going to have tomorrow, or how much time you have with the people you love,” Lisa shared. “So, live each day, love your friends and family and never take them for granted. Remember to get closer to what matters in your life.”
Interested in financing your rural log cabin escape? Connect with a Rural 1st loan officer today to learn more.
