--- canonical_url: https://lendb.ai/s/first-time-buyer/illinois last_verified: 2026-10-09 --- # Loan officers for first-time buyers in Illinois As of 2026-10-09, LenDb lists 386 loan officers licensed in or based in Illinois whose lender pages show First-time buyer work. The top-ranked are Brian Sewell (Guild Mortgage, Frankfort), Kim Martorano (Guild Mortgage, Chicago) and Daniel Kozor (LeaderOne Financial, Oak Brook). Ranking is lender-neutral: specialty evidence first, then a license in IL, branch location, experience and profile completeness. Nobody pays for placement. ## Ranked, with reasons 1. **[Brian Sewell](https://lendb.ai/lo/brian-sewell-212085)** (NMLS 212085), Guild Mortgage, Frankfort, IL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - Office in Frankfort, IL - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2022 (per Florida records) - States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 2. **[Kim Martorano](https://lendb.ai/lo/kim-martorano-225229)** (NMLS 225229), Guild Mortgage, Chicago, IL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - Office in Chicago, IL - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 25 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 3. **[Daniel Kozor](https://lendb.ai/lo/daniel-kozor-294902)** (NMLS 294902), LeaderOne Financial, Oak Brook, IL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - Office in Oak Brook, IL - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 40 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 4. **[Joanna White](https://lendb.ai/lo/joanna-white-404853)** (NMLS 404853), Union Home Mortgage, Arlington Heights, IL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - Office in Arlington Heights, IL - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2021 (per Florida records) - States 24 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 5. **[Dan Larkin](https://lendb.ai/lo/daniel-larkin-258898)** (NMLS 258898), LeaderOne Financial, Oak Brook, IL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - Office in Oak Brook, IL - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2017 (per Florida records) - States 25 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 6. **[Jenn Gawenda](https://lendb.ai/lo/jennifer-gawenda-755952)** (NMLS 755952), Guild Mortgage, Aurora, IL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - Office in Aurora, IL - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2020 (per Florida records) - States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 7. **[Michael E Vogt](https://lendb.ai/lo/michael-e-vogt-275381)** (NMLS 275381), Guild Mortgage, Swansea, IL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - Office in Swansea, IL - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 15 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 8. **[Jeremy Wetzel](https://lendb.ai/lo/jeremy-wetzel-3364)** (NMLS 3364), CrossCountry Mortgage, Louisville, KY - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2011 (per Florida records) - States 23 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 9. **[Adam Workman](https://lendb.ai/lo/adam-workman-128183)** (NMLS 128183), CrossCountry Mortgage, Charlotte, NC - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2020 (per Florida records) - States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 10. **[Scott Shafman](https://lendb.ai/lo/scott-shafman-243704)** (NMLS 243704), Guild Mortgage, Chesterfield, MO - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2021 (per Florida records) - States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 11. **[Julie Johnson](https://lendb.ai/lo/julie-johnson-302214)** (NMLS 302214), CrossCountry Mortgage, Seattle, WA - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2025 (per Florida records) - States 25 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 12. **[Sam Williams](https://lendb.ai/lo/sam-williams-408639)** (NMLS 408639), Churchill Mortgage, Salem, OR - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 21 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 13. **[Chad Rankin](https://lendb.ai/lo/robert-rankin-490282)** (NMLS 490282), Guild Mortgage, Worcester, MA - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2017 (per Florida records) - States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 14. **[Eric Mark Strutman](https://lendb.ai/lo/eric-mark-strutman-502057)** (NMLS 502057), Guild Mortgage, Chesterfield, MO - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 24 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 15. **[Denise Lott](https://lendb.ai/lo/denise-lott-704436)** (NMLS 704436), Union Home Mortgage, Savannah, GA - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2020 (per Florida records) - States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 16. **[Greg Jackson](https://lendb.ai/lo/gregory-jackson-1105139)** (NMLS 1105139), CrossCountry Mortgage, Alpharetta, GA - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2020 (per Florida records) - States 24 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 17. **[Aaron Sanders](https://lendb.ai/lo/aaron-sanders-2555076)** (NMLS 2555076), CrossCountry Mortgage, Delray Beach, FL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2024 (per Florida records) - States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 18. **[Cori Drudge](https://lendb.ai/lo/cori-drudge-229643)** (NMLS 229643), Ruoff Mortgage, Fishers, IN - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2022 (per Florida records) - States 27 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 19. **[Melissa Ann Keyser](https://lendb.ai/lo/melissa-ann-keyser-650731)** (NMLS 650731), Guild Mortgage, St Louis, MO - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 19 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 20. **[Carla Marchetti](https://lendb.ai/lo/carla-marchetti-993397)** (NMLS 993397), Guild Mortgage, Overland Park, KS - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2024 (per Florida records) - States 19 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 21. **[Keran Fears](https://lendb.ai/lo/keran-fears-256586)** (NMLS 256586), American Pacific Mortgage, Hillsboro, MO - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 30 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 22. **[Christy White](https://lendb.ai/lo/christy-white-543306)** (NMLS 543306), Guild Mortgage, Indianapolis, IN - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 27 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 23. **[Adam Garman](https://lendb.ai/lo/adam-garman-124792)** (NMLS 124792), Ruoff Mortgage - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2017 (per Florida records) - States 22 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 24. **[Andrew Cornett](https://lendb.ai/lo/andrew-cornett-502408)** (NMLS 502408), LeaderOne Financial, Springfield, IL - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - Office in Springfield, IL - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - States 28 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) 25. **[Sheri Watkins](https://lendb.ai/lo/sheri-watkins-279665)** (NMLS 279665), Ruoff Mortgage - Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09) - IL listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS) - Licensed since 2019 (per Florida records) - States 25 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09) ## Questions to ask - Which low down payment programs fit my situation? - Am I eligible for any first-time buyer assistance here? - What will my total cash to close be? Cite as: LenDb.ai, https://lendb.ai/s/first-time-buyer/illinois. _Not a lender. Not a referral service. Verify licenses at NMLS Consumer Access._