A mortgage broker with an office in downtown Mankato.
BLG Home Mortgage — the Busch/Lawrence Group — originates home loans from 110 East Liberty Street in Mankato. Our originators are licensed statewide in Minnesota, so the office is local and the reach isn't limited to one town.
The short answer
BLG Home Mortgage is a licensed mortgage broker team based at 110 East Liberty Street in Mankato, operating as a branch of Edge Home Finance, LLC (company NMLS #891464, branch NMLS #2586240). Lead originator Brent Busch (NMLS #1626669) ranked #1 in Minnesota by closed loan units through United Wholesale Mortgage in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Call (507) 351-0581 or apply online.
Where we work
The office is downtown Mankato, and most of our borrowers live within an hour of it: Mankato and North Mankato, St. Peter, New Ulm, Lake Crystal, Eagle Lake, Madison Lake, Mapleton, Madelia, St. James, Le Center, Le Sueur, Waseca, Janesville, Owatonna, and Faribault. Eric Habberstad works out of Rochester.
Brent Busch and Steve Lawrence are each licensed statewide in Minnesota, so the property can be anywhere in the state. Brent is also licensed in Wisconsin and Florida — useful for Southern Minnesota families buying a cabin across the St. Croix or a winter place in Florida. For property in any other state except New York, we introduce you to a licensed Edge Home Finance, LLC originator there.
Office: 110 East Liberty Street, Mankato, MN 56001 · (507) 351-0581 · brent@buschlawrencegroup.com · Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Call ahead if you'd like to meet in person; most borrowers handle everything online and by phone.
How to choose a mortgage broker in Mankato
Whoever you call, these six checks separate a well-run broker from a guess:
- Verify the license. Look up the originator's NMLS ID at nmlsconsumeraccess.org and confirm Minnesota is listed. It takes a minute and shows any disciplinary history.
- Ask how the broker is paid. On any one loan a broker is paid by the lender or by you — never both — and the amount appears on your Loan Estimate.
- Compare Loan Estimates, not quoted rates. Same day, same lock period, same points. A verbal rate without a Loan Estimate behind it can't be compared.
- Ask about local property issues. Wells and septic systems, acreage, USDA eligibility in smaller towns, new construction draws, and appraisals in areas with few recent sales all come up around Mankato.
- Ask who you'll talk to after you apply. An originator you can reach, or a call center.
- Read reviews on independent platforms such as Google and Zillow, not just the broker's website.
How BLG answers those checks
| Check | BLG Home Mortgage |
|---|---|
| License | Edge Home Finance, LLC NMLS #891464; branch NMLS #2586240; Brent Busch NMLS #1626669 (MN, WI, FL); Steve Lawrence NMLS #1983107 (MN) |
| Compensation | Disclosed on your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure; lender-paid or borrower-paid on a given loan, never both |
| Lender access | A network of wholesale lenders through Edge Home Finance, LLC — Edge is a broker, not a direct lender |
| Production record | Brent Busch: #1 in Minnesota by closed loan units through United Wholesale Mortgage, 2023–2025* |
| Who you work with | Your originator, from application through closing, with a loan officer assistant in the Mankato office |
| Reviews | Hundreds of five-star reviews on Google and Zillow (Google profile · Zillow profile) |
*Ranking source: United Wholesale Mortgage. Measured by closed loan units originated through UWM in Minnesota in calendar years 2023, 2024, and 2025 — not dollar volume, and not across all lenders or channels. A production ranking is not a representation of the rate, terms, or outcome any borrower will receive.
Local details we plan for
Rural and small-town properties. Private wells and septic systems are common outside city limits. Depending on the loan program and lender, a water test or septic inspection may be required before closing, so we flag it when the offer is written, not the week before closing.
Acreage and outbuildings. Residential mortgage programs finance homes, not working farms. Larger parcels and outbuildings can still qualify, but acreage and income-producing use are reviewed by the appraiser and underwriter.
USDA eligibility. Many communities surrounding Mankato may fall inside USDA eligible areas while larger cities generally do not. The USDA guide explains how to check an address.
New construction. Southern Minnesota has steady new construction. We handle construction-to-permanent and one-time-close financing through lenders that offer it.
Minnesota closing costs. Buyers in Minnesota pay the state mortgage registry tax on the loan, which shows up with other government recording charges on your Loan Estimate. After closing, file for homestead classification with your county assessor.
Investment property near campus. Rentals near Minnesota State University, Mankato can be financed with conventional investment loans or DSCR programs that qualify on the property's rental income.
Who handles these loans at BLG
Ranked #1 in Minnesota by closed loan units through United Wholesale Mortgage in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, construction, self-employed, and non-QM files.
Profile & licensing · (507) 351-0581U.S. Navy veteran. VA purchase and IRRRL refinances, first-time buyers, conventional, FHA, and USDA.
Profile & licensing · (507) 779-4937FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs, and renovation loans.
Profile & licensingPurchase, refinance, and investment property financing.
Profile & licensingCommon questions
Is BLG Home Mortgage a bank?
No. BLG Home Mortgage is a mortgage broker team operating as a branch of Edge Home Finance, LLC (NMLS #891464). Edge is a licensed broker, not a direct lender or creditor. We take your application and place it with a wholesale lender, which underwrites and funds the loan.
Do I need to come into the Mankato office?
No. You can apply online and handle the process by phone and email. If you would rather meet in person at 110 East Liberty Street, call (507) 351-0581 first.
Can BLG help if I'm buying outside Mankato?
Yes. Brent Busch and Steve Lawrence are licensed statewide in Minnesota, and Brent is also licensed in Wisconsin and Florida. For property in other states (except New York), we introduce you to a licensed Edge Home Finance, LLC originator in that state.
Which BLG originator should I call?
Veterans and service members usually start with Steve Lawrence, a U.S. Navy veteran, at (507) 779-4937. Self-employed, construction, investment, Wisconsin, and Florida files usually start with Brent Busch at (507) 351-0581. Rochester-area borrowers can work with Eric Habberstad. Any of us will route you to the right person.
What does it cost to use a mortgage broker?
Broker compensation is paid either by the lender or by you on a given loan, never both, and it is itemized on your Loan Estimate. The way to judge cost is to compare Loan Estimates from more than one source for the same loan on the same day.
Who is the lead mortgage originator at BLG Home Mortgage?
Brent Busch (NMLS #1626669), Senior Loan Originator and Vice President of Growth at Edge Home Finance, LLC. He ranked #1 in Minnesota by closed loan units through United Wholesale Mortgage in 2023, 2024, and 2025, measured in units rather than dollar volume.
Related guides
Official sources
- NMLS Consumer Access — Edge Home Finance, LLC (NMLS #891464)
- NMLS Consumer Access — Brent Busch (NMLS #1626669)
- CFPB — Loan Estimate explainer
- Edge Home Finance, LLC — state licensing information
Last reviewed: September 2026. Program rules change; confirm current requirements with your originator before relying on any detail on this page. Nothing here is a commitment to lend.