If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a few acres of land, building a home in the mountains, or buying land for hunting, you’re not alone. As the leader in rural lending, Rural 1st specializes in making rural living possible for everyday people looking to fulfill their dreams. Local experts Austin Griffith and Kaleb Barton represent Rural 1st from their Greeley-based office and are ready to assist those looking to make a move to rural living.
Rural 1st was launched in 2018 as part of Farm Credit Mid-America, a cooperative with more than 100 years of agricultural lending experience. While many traditional lenders step in and out of rural lending depending on the market, Rural 1st specializes in financing rural real estate. They’re uniquely positioned to help you buy land, build a home, or finance a property without the strict timelines for starting construction you would find elsewhere.
Whether you want a place to keep horses, build a barndominium, have your own fishing spot, or simply live away from the hustle and bustle of city limits, Austin and Kaleb understand your needs because they, too, live the rural lifestyle. They’re not just lenders; they’re outdoor enthusiasts who understand the importance of land, wells, fence lines, and water rights—details that traditional lenders often overlook.
From the Front Range to the high country, Rural 1st covers the entirety of Colorado. “We can come in with a lower down-payment structure and no maximum acreage caps. Some lenders stop at 35 or 40 acres—we can do more than 100,” Kaleb notes. A unique offering is their rate conversion program*, which lets you lower your interest rate without a complicated refinancing process. Not to mention, your loan stays in-house for the entirety of the term; Rural 1st is there from the first payment to the last.
A customer-owned cooperative, Rural 1st answers to its members, ensuring that every decision is made with your best interests at heart. Austin and Kaleb invite you to reach out—even if you’re just in the dreaming phase. “We’re just normal guys helping people do cool stuff,” they say. “We’re here to help you every step of the way.”
At Rural 1st, financing your rural dreams isn’t just a business — it’s your reality.
*Conversion fee of $750 applies. Fees subject to change without notice. Loans subject to credit approval. Rural 1st® is a tradename and Rural 1st, the Rolling Hills Window icon and Closer to What Matters are exclusive trademarks of Farm Credit Mid America, NMLS 407249. Rural 1st products are available to consumers within the territories of participating Farm Credit System Associations. Equal Housing Lender.