Buy Your Middle Tennessee Home With Someone Who Actually Has Your Back

Keith Goeringer is a Senior Loan Officer at Barrett Financial Group with 24 years of mortgage experience. He has helped more than 2,980 families finance homes across 49 states and has closed over $310 million in loans. His team is based in Franklin, Tennessee and serves clients nationwide.

Most people buying a home in Middle Tennessee face the same problem: they do not know where they actually stand. They have heard the myths about needing 20 percent down, a perfect credit score, or a simple W-2 job. Keith's job is to replace those myths with a real plan built around your actual numbers.

Take the free 2-minute homebuying readiness quiz to find out how close you are to buying a home in Middle Tennessee. No credit check. No obligation. You will receive your Ready, Almost There, or Not Yet score, a starter price range for your situation, and 2 to 3 specific next steps to move forward.

Who Keith Helps

Keith works with a wide range of buyers. First-time homebuyers who have never been through the process before and need a clear roadmap. Repeat buyers who want to upgrade or move without selling first. Veterans who qualify for VA loans with zero down payment. Self-employed borrowers whose tax returns do not reflect their actual income. Buyers with past credit challenges who have been told no by other lenders. Real estate investors who want DSCR loans based on rental income rather than personal income. Anyone seeking a mortgage in Tennessee or any of the 49 states where Keith is licensed.

The common thread is that Keith does not give up when a file gets complicated. He has the tools, the lender relationships, and the experience to find a path when others cannot.

Loan Programs Available Through Keith

Because Keith is a mortgage broker with access to 200 or more lenders and 20 direct banking lines, he can offer programs that a single bank cannot. Conventional loans require as little as 3 percent down and are available for borrowers with good credit. FHA loans allow down payments of 3.5 percent and work with credit scores as low as 580. VA loans are available to eligible veterans and active-duty service members with zero down payment required. USDA loans offer zero down payment for eligible rural and suburban properties in Tennessee. Jumbo loans are available for purchases above the conforming loan limit. Bank statement loans let self-employed borrowers qualify using 12 to 24 months of bank statements instead of tax returns. DSCR loans for real estate investors qualify based on the rental income of the property rather than personal income. Non-QM loans cover unique situations that do not fit standard guidelines.

Keith shops all of these options against each other to find the best combination of rate, terms, and program fit for each client's specific situation.

The W.E.A.L.T.H. Plan: Keith's 6-Step Homebuying Framework

Every client Keith works with starts with the W.E.A.L.T.H. Plan, a structured 6-step framework designed to take the guesswork out of buying a home. W stands for What's Your Why, which means understanding the real motivation behind the purchase so the plan stays grounded when things get stressful. E stands for Estimate Your Affordability, which means calculating a real number based on your income, debts, and down payment rather than a rough guess. A stands for Approval Confidence, which means getting a pre-approval that will hold up when you find the right house. L stands for Learn the Loan Language, which means understanding the terms, rates, and fees so you are never surprised at closing. T stands for Tour Like a Pro, which means knowing what to look for in a home from a financing perspective before you fall in love with it. H stands for Homeowner Confidence Tools, which means having a plan for what happens after closing, including how to build equity and protect your investment.

This framework works whether your loan is straightforward or complicated. It is the same process Keith uses for a first-time buyer with a 620 credit score as for a self-employed borrower with a $650,000 purchase price.

Why Keith Beats Big Banks and Online Lenders

Big banks and online lenders are built for volume. They give their best rates to the easiest files and move on. When a deal gets complicated, they say no. Keith is built differently. He has access to 200 or more lenders and 20 direct banking lines, which means he can shop your loan the same way you would shop for a car. He underwrites, approves, and funds deals in-house, which means he controls the timeline and does not depend on a third party to make decisions. He has closed loans in as little as 6 days. He can pivot between lenders if a deal hits a snag, which means he almost never reaches a dead end. From the first call to the keys in your hand, you work with Keith directly. No call centers. No handoffs. No surprises.

Real Results: Difficult Deals Keith Closed

The best way to understand what Keith can do is to look at deals he has actually closed.

A first-time buyer in Waverly, Tennessee had a 605 credit score and no money for a down payment. The purchase price was $500,000. Most lenders would have stopped reading at the first line. Keith structured the loan with two non-occupant co-borrowers to hit the qualifying ratios, found the right program for the score, and closed. The buyer owns their home.

A client in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee wanted to buy a $600,000 home but her debt-to-income ratio was too high to qualify. Instead of selling her existing house, Keith approved a Home Equity Line of Credit in 20 minutes, used it to pay off all her debt, dropped her DTI to a qualifying level, and she closed on the new home. Her old house is now a rental producing income. She kept both properties.

A self-employed veteran in Old Hickory, Tennessee had a 793 credit score but his tax returns did not reflect his actual income. Keith qualified him using 12 months of bank statements, his wife's W-2 teacher income, his VA disability check, and rental income from their existing home. The purchase price was $650,000. He closed.

What Clients Say About Keith

Never in a million years would I imagine I would be able to buy a house. Keith was the one person that actually helped make that dream a reality. He believed in me when I was not sure I believed in myself.

Amber Hernandez, First-Time Buyer, Tennessee, April 2025, Google Review

When others could not get it done, he found a way. I got a great rate as well as superior service and expertise.

Stacey Fernandez, Complex Purchase, Tennessee, August 2023, Google Review

Keith and his team were able to close my house in 9 days, just 2 days before Christmas. This was an amazing task and accomplishment.

Dominic DeVilla, Home Purchase, Tennessee, January 2025, Google Review

Keith has a 4.86-star rating across more than 180 verified reviews on Google, Experience.com, and BirdEye.

How the Process Works

Step 1 is to take the free 2-minute quiz. Answer 6 quick questions about your goal, timeline, and situation. There is no credit check and no obligation. Step 2 is to get your readiness score and mini-plan. You will see whether you are Ready Now, Almost There, or Early Planning, along with a starter price range and 2 to 3 specific next steps. Step 3 is for Keith to review your situation and reach out with a customized plan. Step 4 is to move forward with confidence, whether you are buying in 30 days or 12 months. The process is designed to be fast, clear, and pressure-free.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Home in Tennessee

How is Keith different from Rocket Mortgage or my bank?

Big brands give their biggest discounts to the easiest files. They are built for volume, not nuance. Keith shops 200 or more lenders and 20 direct banking lines and personally structures your loan, so your deal gets done right and does not fall apart at the last minute. You also work with Keith directly from start to finish, not a rotating team of strangers.

Do I need 20 percent down to buy a home?

No. Most clients put down 3 to 5 percent, and programs like VA and USDA require zero down. The W.E.A.L.T.H. Plan shows you all your options based on your real financial picture, not outdated myths about what it takes to buy a home.

What if my credit is not great?

Keith works with credit scores that other lenders turn away. Instead of a quick no, he gives you a clear plan to get where you need to be. Many clients have gone from declined to approved in 60 to 90 days. FHA loans can work with scores as low as 580.

Can I buy a house if I am self-employed?

Yes. Self-employed buyers can qualify using 12 to 24 months of bank statements instead of tax returns. Keith specializes in helping self-employed borrowers navigate this process successfully. He has closed multiple self-employed loans that other lenders declined.

How long does it take to close?

Keith has closed loans in as little as 6 days. Typically, closings take 15 to 30 days depending on the complexity of your situation. Because Keith controls the underwriting and approval process in-house, he can move faster than lenders who depend on third-party decisions.

What credit score do I need to buy a home?

FHA loans can work with scores as low as 580. Conventional loans typically require 620 or higher. VA loans generally need 580 or higher. Even if your score is not perfect, Keith can help you find options and build a plan to improve your position.

What is the difference between a mortgage broker and a bank?

A bank can only offer its own loan products at its own rates. A mortgage broker like Keith has access to dozens of lenders and can shop your loan to find the best rate and terms for your specific situation. This is especially valuable for borrowers with complex income, lower credit scores, or unique property types.

Can I buy a home if I have had a bankruptcy or foreclosure?

In many cases, yes. FHA loans have a 2-year waiting period after bankruptcy and a 3-year waiting period after foreclosure. Conventional loans have longer waiting periods but may offer better rates once you qualify. Keith can review your specific timeline and credit history to tell you exactly where you stand and what your options are.