MFA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) has announced the 2023 Top Mortgage Lender Award winners as part of its annual Lender Recognition Program.
John Gabaldon of Waterstone Mortgage Corporation in Albuquerque received the inaugural Housing New Mexico Achievement Award, given to mortgage originators who originate 100 or more MFA loans in a year. Tabatha Gallegos-Kern of Directors Mortgage in Albuquerque was named Top Metro Lender and Nikki Sandoval Belt of Cornerstone Home Lending in Farmington was named Top Rural Lender. Ta.
MFA is an independent, quasi-governmental agency that provides financing to help low- and moderate-income New Mexicans access quality, affordable housing and other related services. With a vision that all New Mexicans have access to quality, affordable housing, MFA offers several mortgage programs, including loans, down payment assistance, and closing cost assistance, for those who participate. We work closely with financial institutions to help New Mexicans through the home buying process.
In fiscal year 2023, MFA provided $388,294,000 in first mortgage and down payment assistance for 3,352 loans to 1,845 families in New Mexico. This includes $12,301,805 in down payment assistance in the form of 1,807 loans and grants.
“Research shows that what we intuitively know is that homeownership is one of the most impactful ways people build wealth,” said Jeff Payne, chief lending officer at MFA. It shows,” he said.
Metro Lender Awards are given to lenders operating within the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), and Rural Lender Awards are given to lenders outside of the Albuquerque MSA. Awards are determined based on the number of loans made throughout the year, with top lenders recognized in platinum, gold and silver tiers.
In addition to the Top Rural Lender Award, the 2023 Rural Lender Award winners are:
Rural Platinum (Lenders originating 20+ MFA loans):
- Dani Alpers (Gateway First Bank);
- Donice Barnes (PrimeLending, Plains Capital Company);
- Dustin Caroland (Major Mortgage)
- *Jane DeRose-Bamman (AmCap Mortgage, Ltd. dba Gold Financial Services);
- *Kelly K. Howlett (AmCap Mortgage, Ltd. Major Mortgage Co. dba);
- patricia lewis (Guild Mortgage Company);
- Vicky Lucero (Waterstone Mortgage Corporation);
- Elliot Rodriguez (loanDepot.com);
- Lindsay Rollins (Bell Bank);
- Martin Sanchez (First Time Mortgage); and
- Brent L. Schrule (Waterstone Mortgage Corporation).
Rural Gold (lenders originating 15 or more MFA loans):
- Ted Bishop (CMG Financial);
- *Donna Klein (Academy Mortgage Corporation); and
- Chris Wood (mortgage agent).
Rural Silver (lenders originating 10 or more MFA loans):
- Phil Chavez (Guild Mortgage Company);
- *Cathy Giguere (AmCap Mortgage, Ltd. dba Major Mortgage);
- Priscilla Gonzalez (First American Bank);
- davin jack (Guild Mortgage Company);
- *Priscilla Lara (Academy Mortgage Corporation);
- nancy neil black (PrimeLending, Plains Capital Company); and
- Tina Valdez (First American Bank).
*All awards are based on 2023 numbers. The companies listed are those where the financial institution worked in 2023.
In addition to the Top Metro Lender Award, the 2023 Metro Lender Award winners are:
Metro Platinum (lenders originating 25+ MFA loans):
- Mia Aguilar (Guild Mortgage Company);
- Marty Padilla (Waterstone Mortgage Corporation); and
- Stephen Sheldon (Guild Mortgage Company).
Metro Gold (a lender that originates over 20 MFA loans):
- Matthew Berg (PrimeLending, A Plains Capital Company);
- Sara Gumil Maez (One Trust Home Loans);
- Iris Guzman (PrimeLending, A Plains Capital Company); and
- Lenny Maestas (Guild Mortgage Company).
Metro Silver (lenders originating 15 or more MFA loans):
- Amber Bennett (Guild Mortgage Company);
- Eleanor Hutt (Waterstone Mortgage Corporation);
- Rosa Izzi (Guild Mortgage Company);
- Oscar Medrano (Waterstone Mortgage Corporation);
- Ammar Nesheiwat (Primary Mortgage);
- Paul Parsons (CMG Mortgage Inc.);
- Jason Pike (Waterstone Mortgage Corporation);
- Christy Pofahl (Guild Mortgage Company);
- Chris Russo (Waterstone Mortgage Corporation); and
- Lynette Turpen (mortgage loan officer).
As part of the recognition, lenders will receive a commemorative certificate and one-year recognition by adding a digital badge to their listing on the MFA website.
MFA Executive Director and CEO Isidro Hernandez said mortgage lenders are an integral part of MFA's homeownership efforts.
“Our goal at MFA is to welcome New Mexicans into our homes, but this is not possible without the cooperation of our participating lenders,” Hernandez said. “For homebuyers, the first step for homebuyers to learn about mortgage assistance programs is through their financial institutions, and the State We are fortunate to have so many within the nation, and we congratulate all of the 2023 Top Lender Award winners and thank them for their efforts to help New Mexicans return to their homes.”
For a comprehensive list of MFA approved lenders, please visit: https://housingnm.org/
The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) was established by the New Mexico State Legislature in 1975 to provide quality, affordable housing opportunities to all New Mexico residents. MFA, the state housing agency, uses housing bonds, tax credits, and other federal and state sources to fund more than 40 housing programs. In addition to funding the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing and rental properties, MFA's programs include down payment assistance, homelessness prevention and emergency shelter, weatherization services, rental assistance, and assistance for people with special needs. Includes housing for Since its founding, MFA has provided affordable housing and services to more than 500,000 families.
For more information about MFA, please visit: www.housingnm.org.
