August 03, 2020
Jonathan Robert is a mortgage consultant with eight years of experience. Since joining Prosperity Mortgage nearly two years ago, Robertson has been recognized as one of its Top 10 originators for customer service excellence. After hearing about AHFA homeownership programs from fellow loan officers, Robertson has become an avid user of these programs and has been recognized as a quarterly AHFA Leading Lender two times in the last year.
Q: What do you think is the greatest benefit of AHFA programs for homebuyers?A: It allows homeowners who traditionally have not been able to come up with down payment funds or qualify for 100 percent financing to achieve the dream of homeownership –- often for less money than rent!
Q: What makes you recommend the Step Up program to your customers?A: Less restrictive guidelines than many other programs for low down payment. In addition, my clients are not penalized with higher interest rates or excessive fees.
Q: Have you had any customers who would not have been able to buy a home without Step Up? How did the down payment assistance help?A: Absolutely. One particular couple comes to mind that had actually been declined by another lender with USDA. Using Step Up, we were able to get them approved and closed. Without this program they would still be living with family members.
Q: What is the best advice you can give to first-time homebuyers?A: Make sure you are working with the right people – lenders, Realtors, appraisers, inspectors, etc.! They can make the homebuying process either very smooth or very difficult.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your job?A: Helping young families purchase their first homes. Also, the relationships I have made with clients, Realtors, and everyone else involved in the process.
