November 01, 2021
Renee Green-Jones is the Vice President of Mortgage Lending with ServisFirst Bank in Birmingham. She has been in the mortgage business for more than 15 years and has utilized AHFA programs nearly all of that time. After moving to ServisFirst nine years ago, she brought with her the knowledge of AHFA programs and how they can help make homeownership more affordable for Alabamians.
Q: What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in the mortgage business during your career?
A: The biggest changes I have seen in the mortgage business are the loan products and more restrictive guidelines.
Q: What do you think is the greatest benefit of Step Up for homebuyers?
A: I close about 30 percent of my business using an AHFA program. The great benefit of the Step Up program for homebuyers is that it allows them to purchase a home with no money down. The program allows homebuyers an opportunity to save the money for extra moving expenses and put money back for unknown expenses.
Q: What makes you recommend the Step Up program to your customers?
A: I have had many customers that were able to qualify credit wise but did not have the 3% or 3.5% down payment. The Step Up program assisted many of my first-time homebuyers who needed the down payment to ensure they did not exhaust all their funds to purchase a house. The assistance is such a tremendous blessing.
Q: What do you like most about working with our programs?
A: The process is very simple. You can get an approval in less than three days if your loan officer completes the required tasks in a timely manner. Plus, the people are awesome and really care about the homebuyers. I can really tell that AHFA is serious about serving the community and making a major life changing difference for homebuyers.
Q: What do you think makes you a great lender?
A: I love serving people and helping them become homeowners. Being a homeowner is an amazing reward. I am so thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. It makes my heart smile to the see the homeowners at the closing table. It is such a blessing!
