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“Once we have established a mortgage payment and loan program that fits a client’s needs, I issue an approval or pre-qualification letter to the home buyer, who gives this letter to the real estate agent he or she is working with. This letter provides information on the purchase price of a home that the buyer is qualified to purchase,” Donna continues. “Find your home, then come back to me at American Home Mortgage to complete the mortgage process.” It is very important that home buyers know their borrowing options. Donna feels that the reason home buying is so stressful is because home buyers don’t know what to expect. She prepares and educates home buyers through the entire process, so that they are not stepping into the unknown. This kind of customized service brings home buyers back to Donna and American Home Mortgage again and again. In addition to mortgage lending, Donna has a team of professionals, including investment advisers and retirement planners, who assist her and her home buyers in looking beyond their mortgage goals. A PASSION FOR LENDING Nothing is more rewarding to Donna than the smile from a new home owner when the mortgage is finalized. She often hears “I still can’t believe it” or “I couldn’t have done it without you” or “I did this on my own.” “I love getting creative with individuals and finding the right financial solution for them. This is what I do. I assist new home buyers and existing home owners. I have helped thousands of home owners buy their dream home,” she says.” I don’t consider what I do a job; it is far more exciting than a job.” AHM has programs for refinance and renovation, and for construction of a new home, the company offers a one-time close product. Looking to buy a car? Many lending guidelines qualify you by your FICO score or credit rating. AHM has products that work for those with low scores. “With me it is not if you qualify or not, but when,” says Donna. NOT QUITE READY TO BUY A HOME? If you don’t think you’ll be buying for a while, a consultation now will help inform you about the facts regarding home buying. It is always best to be prepared. The company will look into your short- and long-term goals, what you’d like to do, and where you want to be in five or 10 years. Once you are ready, you can call AHM to get prequalified. SERVING AS A MENTOR “I’m always looking for mortgage professionals to join my team, and as I build my team, I encourage women to enter the lending industry. It is a wonderful profession.” Donna continues, “When I’m not assisting my team or home buyers, I may be working with a group of real estate professionals on mortgage options, educating them about options for their prospective buyers.” She is also a member of the Albuquerque Board of Realtors, the National Association of Homebuilders, Albuquerque Economic Development, and the Hispano Chamber of Commerce. When Donna is not helping New Mexicans with their financial lives, she is spending time with her family. She loves to bowl, go horseback riding on her 10 acres in Tijeras, and do ceramics. To really relax, Donna has an “awesome hair treatment” with Kirsten Weis, master stylist, at the Kiron Salon. She is also involved in a great deal of volunteer, charity work. One of Donna’s favorite projects has been “Christmas in April,” working with home building services and associates to build a home for Habitat for Humanity. According to real estate sources, Albuquerque is an up-and-coming hot spot in the Southwest for property and home buying. Bankrate.com recently named Albuquerque as one of the nation’s top 30 “cities to watch” in terms of real estate. According to the site, Albuquerque attracts Californians who are trying to escape from high housing prices. Once they visit Albuquerque, they don’t want to leave. Donna says, “The cost of living is less expensive here in Albuquerque than in California and Florida. We have the beautiful mountains and ‘almost’ four seasons, not to mention the wonderful tourist attractions and a great quality of life.” Founded in New York City in 1987, American Home Mortgage is one of the top 20 national lenders, with coast-to-coast operations and the ability to originate loans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. AHM is a lender that lends directly to consumers and is also organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT). According to the company’s Web site, this allows AHM to offer more competitive pricing and a far greater selection of home loans than traditional mortgage companies. AHM offers nearly 2,000 loan programs to meet the needs of a wide variety of clients.
Donna L. Cline Victoria Groves is a writer and editor who covers a variety of issues including health, business, parenting, and economic development. She can be reached at vmgroves@yahoo.com. |
