The Ruoff Mortgage Lafayette branch, and its satellite branch in Frankfort, work together to help turn homebuyers’ goals into reality every day. Serving the Tippecanoe and Clinton counties, both cities of Lafayette and Frankfort, Indiana offer booming job and real estate markets, excellent schools, and a variety of nearby sports and entertainment.
Lafayette is often associated with Purdue University, which is located in its sister city, West Lafayette. With only 1.5 miles and the Wabash River between them, they are frequently considered one and the same.
“Lafayette offers the perfect balance of a mid-sized community with a welcoming small-town feel,” Lafayette VP Branch Manager Eric Cox said. “At its heart, it’s a vibrant college town enriched by a diverse population and a community of truly wonderful people.”
“The historic Long Center [for the Performing Arts] further enhances our local culture, hosting talented performers and artists from across the country,” Eric said.
As a college town with a strong industrial base and abundant job opportunities, Lafayette offers an exceptional quality of life. Combined with outstanding local school systems, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to call Lafayette home.
“Our housing market remains stable and has appreciated at a rate that often outpaces the national average,” Eric said. “From established neighborhoods to new developments, Lafayette features a wide variety of beautiful homes at many price points, built by highly-regarded custom home builders. In addition, our city amenities rival those of much larger metropolitan areas, and our convenient location between Indianapolis and Chicago makes a quick trip to a major city both simple and accessible.”
The team at the Lafayette branch also have the privilege of working with a wide range of clients, from first-time homebuyers to retirees downsizing into their next chapter.
“Our team partners work closely with local builders to assist clients constructing new homes, and we maintain strong relationships with many trusted real estate agents to support buyers and sellers in the existing home market,” Eric said. “We are especially proud to serve those who have served our country, and we have extensive experience helping Veterans navigate and benefit from VA loan programs.”
The Ruoff Mortgage Lafayette branch is set apart by the depth of experience the team brings to the table. Together, the Lafayette team has more than 160 years of combined lending and real estate expertise under one roof. In 2025, the team proudly closed more than $80 million in loan volume across 350 transactions.
“That experience allows us to serve our clients and referral partners with confidence on every file, every day – ensuring they are in capable hands and that each transaction is handled as smoothly and seamlessly as possible,” Eric said. “Our referral partners can feel assured knowing their clients are supported by seasoned professionals they can trust.”
The branch is also proud to be actively involved in the community through support of several local charities and regular volunteer work at the Food Pantry. The team has participated in charitable events benefiting Lafayette Transitional Housing, local pet shelters, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and First Responders.
“Giving back to the community we serve is something we truly value and remain committed to,” Eric said.
Each spring, they also host a May cookout to show appreciation for referral partners. This year, they are adding a festive twist by celebrating in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo, featuring taco food trucks on-site for everyone to enjoy.
“We’re also proud to support our community through sponsorships with PurdueSports.com and our local semi-professional baseball team, the Lafayette Aviators,” Eric said.
The neighboring city of Frankfort is more quaint with local shops and vibrant parks. However, it is located within an easy commute to Lafayette, Indy, and Kokomo. The Frankfort Ruoff Mortgage branch, made up of Senior Loan Officer Laura Mullen, Loan Officer Mandy Dudley, and Loan Officer Assistant Rosa Large, closed 117 loans in 2025.
“We also have a very loyal customer base, and we love to help our customers buy their next house, too!” Laura said. “Our low- and no-down payment loans are very popular for our customers with limited down payment funds. We are in an eligible area for USDA [United States Department of Agriculture loans], and we are a targeted county for IHCDA [Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority], so we have so many great options for our buyers.”
Known as the “Home of the Hot Dogs,” Frankfort is a fun community. Laura described the area as “very affordable with both historical homes and new construction,” and “very safe and the people are friendly.”
“Our high school mascot is the Hot Dogs, so you can already tell we are unique,” she said. “It’s a great example of small town charm!”
Frankfort also has a diverse population, including a significant portion of the population of Hispanic or Latino origin. Rosa, the branch’s Loan Officer Assistant, speaks Spanish, which is a vital asset to help the branch serve the whole community.
“There are an abundance of amazing Mexican restaurants and grocery stores featuring authentic street tacos,” Laura said. “It’s worth a visit just for the Mexican food!”
While Frankfort is a small town, Laura is proud that their branch has a strong presence in the community. They have had an office in town for six years and believe that community involvement is paramount to the success of a small town.
For example, Laura serves on the Board of Directors for the Clinton County Community Foundation and the Friends of the Library. Mandy Dudley, loan officer at the Frankfort branch, is on the Humane Society Board and the Frankfort Education Foundation Board.
They also sponsor local events, nonprofits, schools, and sports teams on a regular basis. Laura shared that they also have “big plans” for some athletic sponsorships this coming school year.
Frankfort also has plenty for residents to do and ways to celebrate the season. At the branch, they have a great time every year at Halloween with their Bones & Loans season. They decorate the office with all kinds of “skellys,” and the community loves it.
The summertime is also fun times in Frankfort. They have a farmer’s market on Saturdays, outdoor concerts at Prairie Creek Park, and the highlight of the summer is the Hot Dog Festival. They also have a beautiful light display in TPA Park during the holidays. The branch also has a customer appreciation event at the local waterpark every summer that “is very well attended and is a ton of fun,” according to Laura.
To get to know each team member of the Lafayette and Frankfort branches better, we asked them to describe their dream home in three words. They also shared what advice they would give their younger selves about homeownership. Read their responses, below.
Advice You’d Give Your Younger Self on Homeownership: Don't automatically assume that homeownership is out of reach just because you are young!
For more information on Ruoff Mortgage’s Lafayette branch, click here. For more information on Ruoff Mortgage’s Frankfort branch, click here. Get started with your homeownership journey today!