At RuraLiving, we believe rural homeownership isn’t just a dream, but a way of life worth supporting.
Achieving this requires more than just unique financial products. It takes a team of passionate, knowledgeable professionals who understand the opportunities and challenges of lending rural properties.
Let’s introduce you to the exceptional individuals who make RuraLiving a trusted partner in rural lending.
Jessica Sacre
Jessica Sacre’s journey into mortgage lending began with her own first-time homebuyer experience, inspiring her to help others navigate the complexities of the industry. With over 25 years of experience, she now guides RuraLiving partners in offering unique lending solutions for rural and hobby farm properties across the Midwest and East Coast.
The path to RuraLiving was paved by Jessica’s extensive experience with BMO Harris Bank and Bankers Trust. She later received an executive certification in high impact selling from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, further honing her skills to excel in client and partner relations. In her current role as vice president of lending relations, she ensures banks and credit unions can offer RuraLiving’s specialized products to their clients, making her a trusted resource for financial institutions looking to serve clients with dreams of owning rural property.
She recently celebrated a career milestone, reaching a record-breaking $10 million in monthly transactions, a testament to her commitment and knowledge even in today’s challenging market.
From the beginning, Jessica has been instrumental in building the RuraLiving correspondent division, and ten years later she takes pride in seeing this program blossom into a nationwide endeavor. Her personal connection to the lending process, paired with her passion for helping people makes Jessica both a respected leader and a reliable advocate for the rural lifestyle.
Matt Feigner
As manager of partner lending for RuraLiving, Matt Feigner is passionate about coaching mortgage bankers, credit unions and community banks to explore new opportunities in rural lending. Covering territories from the West Coast through the Southwest region, Matt specializes in introducing unique financial products that open doors to untapped markets.
With over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration from Eastern Washington University, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and an executive certification in high impact selling from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Starting as a loan officer, Matt discovered his talent for working with people and businesses, which led to a career dedicated to helping businesses thrive. His ability to align solutions with client needs and coach teams on new offerings makes him an invaluable resource for RuraLiving’s partners.
Matt’s career has been defined by his commitment to building programs from the ground up. Joining RuraLiving in its infancy, Matt helped shape the division’s marketing, sales processes and product offerings—a role he describes as one of his most fulfilling professional accomplishments. Energized by the opportunities ahead, Matt’s unwavering dedication to education, innovation and collaboration continues to drive RuraLiving forward, making a lasting impact on rural lending and the partners he serves.
Hannah Stenzel
Hailing from a family rooted in agriculture, Hannah Stenzel's passion for country living is a natural extension of her upbringing. Building on this foundation, Hannah transitioned from real estate, where she specialized in rural properties, to RuraLiving, a move inspired by her dedication to helping others feel the same sense of home she cherishes.
As a pivotal member of RuraLiving, Hannah combines behind-the-scenes expertise with forward-facing industry engagement. In her role as partner lending specialist, she ensures seamless operations by reviewing files for underwriting readiness, managing partner agreements and supporting marketing initiatives.
Beyond her day-to-day responsibilities, Hannah represents RuraLiving at national conferences where she builds strong industry relationships and fosters trust. Hannah finds it especially rewarding to share in the success stories of rural borrowers and create solutions that allow partners to achieve their goals.
Recently honored as a participant in the Mortgage Bankers Association's Future Leaders program, Hannah exemplifies leadership and dedication to personal growth. Her commitment also extends to her community, where she serves as a board member for the Heron Lake-Okabena Community Foundation, allocating grants to support local initiatives.
For Hannah, success is rooted in relationships, whether with colleagues, partners or her rural community. Her journey reflects a harmonious blend of professional achievement and heartfelt connection, making her an indispensable force in RuraLiving’s mission to empower rural growth.
Partner with the RuraLiving Team Today
The passion our team has for rural lending is evident in everything they do. With deep connections and innovative solutions, they’re here to help financial institutions succeed in serving clients who dream of a rural lifestyle.
Ready to explore how RuraLiving can grow your business? Get in touch with a RuraLiving team member today at [email protected] or 507-385-4965 and experience the difference of working with experts who truly care.