McMinn Realty Hosts an Oxford Lending Lunch and Learn With Bank of Commerce

August 19, 2026

The best real estate conversations often start around a table. On Wednesday, August 19, McMinn Realty welcomed guests from Bank of Commerce in Oxford for a team lunch and learn focused on lending options, changing guidelines, and the questions that can help buyers plan with more confidence.

The lunch was excellent, and the conversation was even better. Justin Canterbury led part of the discussion on consumer and commercial lending. Henry Paris, Senior Vice President and President of BOC Mortgage, and Matt Parham, Senior Vice President and Oxford Market President, also shared practical insight with our staff.

A Better Conversation Starts With Better Questions

Real estate agents do not approve loans or choose financing for clients. We can, however, help buyers recognize when it is time to bring a knowledgeable lender into the conversation. That matters because the right starting point may depend on the borrower, the property, the planned use, and the amount of cash available for closing.

For buyers who are still getting organized, our guide to why mortgage pre-approval should be the first step is a helpful place to begin.

What Our Team Learned

The Bank of Commerce team walked through a broad range of financing conversations, including conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, along with options for land, construction, factory-built homes, condominiums, and purchase-plus-rehabilitation projects.

One of the most useful takeaways was the difference between secondary-market loans and portfolio loans that a bank may keep on its own books. Portfolio lending can sometimes create another path when a property or borrower does not fit a standard loan box. Every file is different, though, and the lender makes the final decision based on current guidelines, documentation, underwriting, appraisal, and the complete financial picture.

The group also discussed assistance programs that may be available to qualifying borrowers. Grant amounts, eligibility rules, and funding can change quickly, so the best approach is to ask what is open today and treat any assistance as a possibility until the lender confirms it.

Flood-zone questions were another timely reminder. A property's flood designation can affect insurance, lending, and long-term ownership costs, and maps can change. Buyers should review the current designation with their lender and insurance professional, then use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center as an official reference.

Five Questions Buyers Can Take to a Lender

• Which loan programs fit this property type and the way I plan to use it?
• What would my estimated payment and cash to close look like after taxes, insurance, fees, and any association dues?
• Could a portfolio loan be worth discussing, and how would its term and renewal structure differ from a standard mortgage?
• Are any grants or assistance programs currently funded, and what documentation would I need to qualify?
• Could flood-zone status or insurance requirements affect approval, cost, or timing?

Local Relationships Help Clients Move With Clarity

We appreciate Bank of Commerce for spending time with our staff, answering detailed questions, and providing such a wonderful lunch. Readers can learn more about the Bank of Commerce Oxford team and the bank's mortgage services directly from its official site.

Financing changes with the market, and a good plan should change with it. Our latest Oxford and Water Valley market update explains why monthly payment scenarios matter so much for today's buyers.

If you are considering a home, condo, land, commercial property, or construction project in Oxford, Water Valley, or the surrounding North Mississippi market, connect with McMinn Realty. We will help you understand the property side of the decision and work alongside the professionals you choose for lending, insurance, inspections, and closing.

Disclosure: McMinn Realty is not a lender and does not offer or approve loan products. Program availability, rates, terms, down-payment requirements, grants, insurance requirements, and underwriting standards can change and may vary by borrower and property. Buyers should obtain current information directly from a licensed lender and other appropriate professionals.