When you’re buying a home from hundreds of miles away, trust matters. For Wayne and Leanne, managing a major life change from out of state meant finding more than a lender. They wanted to work with a local bank with local people who knew the area. Someone they could talk to, ask questions of, and count on for clear, honest answers while managing everything from out of state.

“Having someone local manage the process made the distance feel smaller and the experience far less stressful.”

After living in Connecticut for 18 years, the move to Ohio began when Wayne accepted a new position with Crown. With no local connections, Minster Bank came recommended by their real estate agent. From the very first conversation with Julie, the uncertainty started to fade. “We felt we were in good hands,” Leanne said, noting that Julie was always accessible and responsive when questions came up.

As the process unfolded, that confidence only grew. “Julie was ‘our person’ right from the first call we made, with a million questions, right through to the closing,” Wayne shared. “She took time to work through early, hypothetical scenarios and stayed proactive as the purchase came together, carefully double-checking details along the way. Having someone local manage the process made the distance feel smaller and the experience far less stressful.”

While Wayne has relocated, Leanne and two of their daughters are still wrapping up school and work commitments back east. Leaving the place where their family grew up has been emotional. “Having lived in Connecticut for the past 18 years, this is a significant move for us,” added Leanne. Still, they’ve already noticed something special about Ohio. “The people are friendly, deeply connected to their communities, and that sense of belonging is something we value and hope to be part of.”

For their family, support made all the difference. “Having good people around makes the change a little easier to deal with,” they said. Working with Julie and Minster Bank helped turn a complex, long-distance move into a manageable and positive experience.

Julie felt that connection as well. “Leanne and Wayne are such warm and wonderful people, especially during a time of big changes and plans,” she said. “It’s been fun getting to know them, and I’m grateful to play a small part in their transition. I look forward to continuing to build that relationship.” When relationships come first, even a long-distance move can start to feel like home.

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