Bree Shores utilizes AHFA programs to help create the best financing options for her homebuyers and is one of the most regular users of our Mortgage Credit Certificate program.
Shores has has been in the mortgage business for 4 years after working as a real estate agent. Since switching to a career as a mortgage lender, Shores has received the FirstBank Mortgage 2019 Alabama Award of Excellence, FirstBank Mortgage 2019 Club of Excellence, and in 2019 and 2020, placed in FirstBank Mortgage’s Top Ten in Customer Satisfaction on Social Survey.
Q: How long have you worked with AHFA’s homebuyer financing programs?
A: When I was a real estate agent, I knew about the Step Up program and loved it. It helped so many of my clients purchase a home, and I knew it would be a program I would definitely use as a mortgage banker.
Q: What do you think is the greatest benefit of Step Up for homebuyers?
A: The higher income eligibility limit and the fact that it can be used anywhere in the state of Alabama has been a great benefit to my borrowers. I have had several customers that would not have been able to purchase without this program, especially first-time homebuyers in this current market. Sellers are no longer accepting offers with buyer paid closing cost, and buyers may have the funds for down payment or closing cost, but not both.
Q: What do you think is the greatest benefit of the MCC program for homebuyers?
A: MCC has been a game changer for several of my borrowers. Using an MCC can make a borrower’s purchase price eligibility change as much as $25,000. That difference in purchase price can be substantial in what homes a buyer may be able to find.
Q: What makes you recommend the Step Up and/or MCC program to your customers?
A: Whenever I have a borrower, normally a first-time homebuyer, who needs help with the down payment or needs to qualify for a higher purchase price.
Q: What do you like most about working with our programs?
A: I like working with AFHA programs because they provide options that are not offered anywhere else. They give me extra tools to work with to help my clients finally own a home. They can stop paying into the equity of their landlords and start building equity for themselves.
