CU Promise

06/24/2026

Summer in Maine moves fast. Before August gets here, five things worth checking on your home.

Your AC system. Even if it ran fine last year, a seasonal tune-up catches small problems before they turn expensive in the middle of a heat wave.

Gutters and downspouts. Clear out anything that built up over spring. Clogged gutters push water toward your foundation instead of away from it, and that's a problem you won't notice until the basement tells you.

Your deck or porch. Maine winters are hard on outdoor wood. Look for soft spots, loose railings, and any boards that need replacing before you're using them every weekend.

Insurance policy. When did you last review your coverage? Replacement costs have gone up across the state. Make sure your policy still reflects what it would actually cost to rebuild.

Smoke and CO detectors. Test every one. Replace the batteries. If any are older than ten years, swap the whole unit. It takes five minutes and it's the most important thing on this list.

06/22/2026

Can you use gift money from a family member toward your down payment? Yes.

Nicole explains how it works and what your lender needs to see.

06/20/2026

Happy Father's Day from some of the dads of CUSO.

They're the ones who light up when a borrower mentions their kid's first bedroom. Who know what it feels like to carry a sleeping toddler into a house for the first time. Who coach the team on weeknights and show up to closings the next morning knowing exactly what that moment means for the family sitting across the table.

Our team helps families find their way home every day. Today we're proud to celebrate the dads on our team who live that same feeling at their own kitchen tables.

Happy Father's Day to every dad raising the next generation under a roof they worked for.

06/19/2026

Today we honor Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and the ongoing work toward freedom and opportunity for everyone.

Homeownership has always been one of the most powerful ways to build generational stability. The barriers that have existed, and the ones that remain, are worth remembering today.

We're grateful to serve communities across Maine and New Hampshire, and we don't take that responsibility lightly.

06/18/2026

When Karen closed on her home with CUSO, the thing that stood out wasn't just the loan itself. It was the communication. Questions answered quickly. Every step of the process explained clearly. The kind of experience she described as "top notch."

That's not accidental. Getting a mortgage involves a lot of moving pieces, and questions come up at every stage. What makes the difference is having someone on your side who picks up the phone, explains what's happening in plain language, and makes sure you're never guessing about your own loan.

That's the standard our loan officers hold themselves to. And borrowers like Karen are the reason it matters.

If you're thinking about buying or refinancing this summer, our team is here when you're ready.

06/17/2026

Lauren Roberts called around before she called CUSO.

Five or six lenders. Different answers from each one. She and her partner Zakary Ellis had been renting the home they wanted to buy in Newport, and they needed someone to walk them through what was actually possible.

When they reached CUSO, that's what they got. Their loan officer laid out several programs, explained what each one offered, and helped them choose the one that made the most sense for their situation. They went with the USDA Rural Development program. Their monthly payment came out comparable to what they'd been paying in rent.

They closed on the home they'd been renting.

"Renting again would have been unrealistic with four cats," Lauren said. "Knowing that we have a secure home base makes all the difference."

Zakary has his own take: "Our cats will destroy that carpet. So now we get to put in hardwood."
WABI 5 covered their story this week.

https://www.wabi.tv/2026/06/15/newport-couple-achieves-homeownership-with-usda-assistance/

June is National Homeownership Month. For Lauren and Zakary, that looks like hardwood floors and a home they own instead of rent.

If you've been wondering whether homeownership is within reach, it might come down to finding someone who'll show you all the options.

06/16/2026

Most first-time buyers in Maine think they've done their homework. They know about down payments and credit scores. What tends to catch them off guard is the specifics.

Property taxes that vary by hundreds of dollars a month from one town to the next. Prorated tax balances due at closing that weren't in anyone's early estimate. The difference between an interest rate and an APR — and why comparing just one of them can cost you.

These aren't obscure technicalities. They're common situations that show up in a large percentage of closings, usually at moments when there's no easy way to adjust.

CUSO's latest blog breaks down five mistakes that consistently cost Maine first-time buyers more than they expected, and what to do instead before you get to the table.

🔗 https://cusohl.com/first-time-home-buyer-mistakes-maine/

From property tax surprises to skipping inspections, here are five costly mistakes Maine first-time buyers make — and what to do instead.

06/13/2026

Before you make an offer this summer, here's something worth knowing: a home inspection and a home appraisal are two completely different things. The appraisal tells your lender what the home is worth. The inspection tells you what's actually going on inside the house.

A standard home inspection covers the structure, roof, foundation, electrical system, plumbing, and HVAC. The inspector is looking for problems you can't see during a 30-minute showing.

What it usually doesn't cover: pest or termite damage, septic system details, well water testing, radon, and cosmetic issues. Those require separate specialists.

Some buyers in competitive markets skip the inspection to make their offer more attractive. That saves a few days in the short term. It can cost thousands in repairs you didn't see coming.

A home inspection is one of the few moments in the buying process where someone is working entirely for you. Use it.

06/12/2026

Proud to work alongside Downeast Credit Union, one of CUSO's credit union partners and a 2026 National Diamond Award winner from America's Credit Unions.

The award recognized their Downeast Dunkers program, which partners with five local high schools across Downeast Maine to connect students with their community credit union during basketball season. Out of nearly 1,500 submissions nationwide, only 181 organizations were selected.

That kind of community presence is what sets credit unions apart. Showing up where people already are. Building relationships with families long before they ever need a mortgage.

Congratulations to the entire Downeast CU team. This recognition is well earned.

06/09/2026

This spring, our team headed to Val Halla Golf Course in Cumberland for the Maine Association of Mortgage Professionals' annual charity golf tournament. CUSO was proud to sponsor the event and put a team out on the course.

The day is about more than golf. Every dollar raised goes to Camp Sunshine, the retreat in Casco that supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families throughout the year, at no cost to them.

Last year, the tournament raised $24,450 for Camp Sunshine. This year, the goal is to top it.
For a credit-union-owned company built on the idea that local people look out for each other, a day like this is exactly where we want to be. Good company, a good course, and a cause that means something to families right here in Maine.

Thank you to MAMP for organizing it, and to everyone who came out to support Camp Sunshine.