Brad Ellett
VP | Branch Manager
NMLS: 1634528
The right home begins with the right person by your side. I'll be with you from pre-approval to the closing table.
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99.3%
Customer Satisfaction Score.
Awards
9
Years of helping homeowners like you.
Proudly serving Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan
Meet our happy homeowners***
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A Bit About Me
Brad Ellett is a VP Branch Manager and Mortgage Loan Officer with Ruoff Mortgage in La Porte, Indiana, serving homebuyers throughout La Porte, Michigan City, South Bend, Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan. With over a decade of experience in mortgage and finance, Brad specializes in helping first-time homebuyers, veterans, move-up buyers and homeowners understand their mortgage options. He offers guidance on conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo and down-payment assistance programs. Known for clear communication and personalized mortgage advice, Brad helps clients navigate pre-approval, financing and the homebuying process while working toward homeownership and long-term financial goals.
I Love Helping First-Time Buyers One of my favorite parts of being a mortgage lender is taking someone from “I don't think we can buy yet” to handing them the keys to their first home.
Coffee + Mortgage Talk = A Great Day Whether it’s over coffee, a phone call, or a quick text, I’m always happy to talk through mortgage questions, sometimes before you’re even ready to buy.
I’m a Mortgage Nerd (And Proud of It!) I genuinely enjoy figuring out the numbers and finding creative financing solutions that help make homeownership possible.
Relationships Come First I believe the best mortgage business is built on relationships, referrals, and taking care of people—not just transactions.
My Favorite Notification? “We Got the Keys!” There’s something pretty special about getting the message that a client just closed on their home. Helping make that moment happen never gets old.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, trying new foods, taking walks, and making the most of the simple things in life.
Awards & Achievements
Top Mortgage Lenders
The Scotsman Guide’s list of Top Mortgage Lenders, a ranking of the nation’s top-producing mortgage companies.
Frequently Asked, Frequently Answered
Starting with clear, direct answers to the questions that matter most to your future.
After you receive your pre-approval letter, you’ll have an idea of current rates based on your qualifications. However, your rate isn’t officially locked until you choose to lock it in – and that lock is only valid for a set number of days. I’ll help you monitor the market and decide the best time to lock your rate with confidence.
A mortgage calculator gives you a clearer picture of what you can afford by estimating your monthly payment based on home price, down payment, interest rate, and more. It’s a great starting point to help you plan your budget and feel more prepared as you begin your home search.
Your mortgage rate directly affects your monthly payment. A lower rate can mean a lower payment and less interest paid over time, while a higher rate can increase your monthly cost. Even small changes in your rate can make a big difference, so I’ll help you understand how it impacts your overall budget.
A VA loan is a government-backed loan that allows eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and certain military families to purchase a home with no down payment and competitive interest rates. It’s designed to make homeownership more accessible for those who have served, and I’ll help you take full advantage of those benefits.
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.
With Ruoff Mortgage, the average time from application to clear to close is just 15 days.* That means from the moment you apply to the moment you're ready to close, the process can move quickly and efficiently.
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.
Have a question we didn't cover?
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My Latest Blogs
Rent vs Buy in 2026: The Math You Need to Know
Aug 20, 2026
Deciding whether to keep renting or finally buy a home in Laporte, Michigan City, or New Carlisle can feel like choosing between a reliable old jalopy and a shiny new ride that needs constant gas money. The math changes every year, and 2026 brings fresh twists with shifting costs, local market quirks, and your own life goals. At Ruoff Mortgage, I’ve helped folks in these exact towns crunch the numbers without the headache, and the punchline is usually simpler than you think.
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After the Storm: Northwest Indiana Comes Together
Aug 14, 2026
Over the last few days, our communities have been reminded just how quickly life can change.
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Back to School, Back to House Hunting: Why Your Child's School District Matters When Buying a Home
Aug 6, 2026
Back-to-school season means new supplies, new routines, and sometimes a fresh look at whether your current home still fits your family. If buying a home is on your mind, choosing the right school district may be just as important as finding the right number of bedrooms. Families in Michigan City, LaPorte, and New Carlisle often discover that the local schools shape daily life in ways that go far beyond the classroom.
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Experience the Ruoff Advantage
At Ruoff Mortgage, customer satisfaction is at the core of everything we do. We are the experts, so you don't have to be.*