Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation will train more than 400 real estate agents and mortgage professionals at an intensive “Boot Camp” event next week. As the nation struggles to provide housing opportunities for veterans, the mortgage company will conduct Military Mortgage Specialist (MMS) training for mortgage professionals and Certified Military Residential Specialist (CMRS) training for real estate agents, which also earns each agent three hours of continuing education.
Veterans face unique challenges when seeking housing, and Fairway’s training program is designed to equip mortgage professionals and real estate agents with the special skills and knowledge to help meet active military and veterans’ specific needs.
In addition to the training, Fairway has joined forces with Military Warriors Support Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting returning American military troops, to present a “mortgage-free” home to a wounded military veteran.
Retired Army Private Joshua Vlach will be presented the keys to a mortgage-free home located in Colorado Springs, Colo. Vlach served in the U.S. Army for more than six years, from March, 2006 through June, 2012, and received numerous awards and commendations, including a Combat Action Badge and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Private Vlach served in Afghanistan, where he sustained multiple injuries following exposure to an IED blast in June of 2009, which resulted in a back injury. Vlach continues to suffer from degenerative arthritis.
“I joined [the Army] to do my part in serving my county and to help make a better place for my family,” said Vlach, who joined the Army in March of 2006, based out of Phillips, Wisconsin.
“Fairway is thankful to Private Vlach and all military veterans who have served our country,” said Louise Thaxton, director of Fairway's Military Mortgage Division.
Due to the nature of their work, active duty and veteran service members often face an uphill battle when trying to buy a home, explained Fairway CEO Steve Jacobson. Finding employment can be a challenge, and research shows that veterans are more likely than the general population to face poverty and homelessness.
The objective of Fairway’s MMS and CMRS certification programs is to train and equip real estate and mortgage professionals to handle with care the home purchase needs of active duty and former military clients, Jacobson said. Since launching its Boot Camp military training two years ago, Fairway has trained nearly 2,000 mortgage and real estate professionals while sponsoring 19 mortgage-free homes to deserving military veterans.
"There remains a tremendous need in our industry for real solutions to the housing challenges our military men and women face," Thaxton said. “Time and time again, we’re learning that education is key. Our veterans face unique hurdles to homeownership, and we know the training we provide helps housing professionals become better equipped to help our military heroes.”
Joining Fairway for the event is Sean Parnell, author of the NY Times best-selling book Outlaw Platoon, which details Parnell’s experiences serving the U.S. military in Afghanistan. Parnell, a retired Army Ranger and Purple Heart recipient, is an advocate for Fairway’s programs and plays an integral role in the Boot Camps and home-giveaway presentations.
By the end of 2014, Fairway will have trained more than 600 mortgage professionals and 3,000 real estate agents, and will have sponsored a total of more than 25 home mortgage-free home giveaways.
Fairway Independent Mortgage is a proud supporter of the American military and has helped thousands of active military personnel and veterans nationwide with their home mortgage needs. Fairway employees have personally pledged several hundred thousand dollars in donations to help provide mortgage-free homes to veterans through their partnership with the non-profit, Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes 4 Wounded Heroes program.
The press is invited to the following "Boot Camp" training for mortgage professionals (MMS) and real estate agents (CMRS) in the following cities and dates:
►June 10, Denver, CO - MMS, CMRS training and home giveaway, DoubleTree Denver Tech Center Hotel, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
►June 24, Pasco, WA – CMRS training and home giveaway, Red Lion, 2525 N 20th Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301
►June 25, Airway Heights, WA – CMRS training, Northern Quest Resort & Casino, 100 N Hayford Rd., Airway Heights, WA 99001
►June 26, Boise, ID – MMS, CMRS training and home giveaway, Boise State University – Student Union Simplot Ballroom, 1700 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725
►August 19, Clarksville, TN - MMS, CMRS training and home giveaway, WREC, 1189 Cumberland Drive (Hwy 48/13), Clarksville, TN 37043
►October 7, Atlanta, GA – MMS, CMRS training and home giveaway, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339
