Jessica Prater
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS: 1460089
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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98.38%
Customer Satisfaction Score.
Awards
10
Years of helping homeowners like you.
Proudly serving Indiana, Michigan
A Bit About Me
With over 20 years in the real estate industry and 10+ years of those as a Senior Loan Officer with Ruoff Mortgage, I’m proud to serve homeowners in Marshall, Fulton, and Starke Counties, as well as throughout Indiana and Michigan. As a local lender, I’m passionate about helping families in our community achieve homeownership. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, upgrading, downsizing, relocating, or refinancing, I will help guide you through a smooth mortgage process. I offer a wide range of loan options including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and down payment assistance programs. Every borrower’s situation is unique!
Awards & Achievements
Top Mortgage Lenders
The Scotsman Guide’s list of Top Mortgage Lenders, a ranking of the nation’s top-producing mortgage companies.
Ruoff Customer Experience Award
Recognizes Ruoff loan officers who consistently create memorable experiences, demonstrated through outstanding customer satisfaction scores and feedback from their clients.
Ruoff Customer Experience Award
Recognizes Ruoff loan officers who consistently create memorable experiences, demonstrated through outstanding customer satisfaction scores and feedback from their clients.
Meet our happy homeowners***
View All TestimonialsLoans Designed to Meet Your Individual Needs
Personalized mortgage solutions that fit your unique needs, because we understand that one size doesn't fit all.
Frequently Asked, Frequently Answered
Starting with clear, direct answers to the questions that matter most to your future.
Refinancing with Ruoff Mortgage is a straightforward process designed to help you meet your financial goals – whether that’s lowering your monthly payment, shortening your loan term, or accessing cash from your home’s equity. I’ll guide you through your options and help you decide if refinancing makes sense for you.
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.
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.
Using the equity you have in your home, cash-out refinancing allows you to take out a new mortgage for more than you owe and receive the difference in cash to use for expenses like home improvements or paying off debt.
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My Latest Blogs
Common Closing Delays and How to Avoid Them
Nov 4, 2026
Delays during the mortgage process can turn an exciting time into a stressful waiting game. Many home buyers face unexpected holdups that push back their closing dates. Understanding the most frequent causes helps you stay ahead and keep everything moving smoothly.
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Bankruptcy and Foreclosure: How Long Until You Can Buy?
Nov 4, 2026
If you are exploring mortgage pre approval after a bankruptcy or foreclosure, the timeline to homeownership can feel uncertain. Many buyers in this market face the same questions and find clear answers help them plan the next steps with confidence. At Ruoff Mortgage I walk clients through these situations every week using straightforward guidelines that match their specific loan type and history.
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Down Payment Assistance in Marshall, Fulton, and Starke Counties: First-Time Buyer Programs Explaine
Oct 20, 2026
Buying a home for the first time often brings excitement mixed with questions about how to cover the upfront costs. Down payment assistance in Marshall, Fulton, and Starke counties can open doors that might otherwise stay closed. Many buyers in this market wonder where to start when traditional savings fall short. Programs designed for first-time buyers focus on making ownership more accessible without requiring large cash reserves at closing.
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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.*