Shannon Alexander
Belton, Texas
Senior Loan Officer
Fairway Home Mortgage
Total VA loans closed in 2024 by originator: 60
What drives your passion for serving members of the military community in their homeownership journey?
My passion comes from both personal and professional experience. As the wife of a retired Army veteran who served our country for 20 years, I have lived the military lifestyle firsthand. I understand the sacrifices, the frequent moves, the uncertainty, and the resilience it takes to serve. That perspective, combined with more than two decades as a loan officer, has given me a deep appreciation for the unique challenges military families face when it comes to homeownership.
What truly drives me is a sense of duty to protect and advocate for our veterans. Too often, I see them misled by companies that present themselves as being directly affiliated with the VA, when in reality, they are not. This misrepresentation erodes trust and can leave veterans vulnerable to being taken advantage of. I feel strongly that our military families deserve honesty, transparency, and someone who will always put their best interests first.
For me, every loan is not just a transaction — it’s a family’s story, their future, and often their very first place to truly call “home.”
What is one of the most meaningful or memorable experiences you’ve had helping a service member achieve homeownership?
One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had was helping a veteran who had served more than 30 years in the military purchase his very first home. He was working overseas during the process, so at closing his wife set up a laptop so he could join by video. As the documents were signed, he broke down in tears, overwhelmed that after decades of service, he was finally providing a home for his family. A couple of years later, he emailed me a photo of himself sitting on his porch, coffee in hand, telling me that every morning he was reminded of the dream I helped him achieve.
Another unforgettable moment was helping an injured veteran who had been misled about a deed in lieu of foreclosure. He was denied by another lender just a week before closing and came to me devastated, believing he may never own a home again. I carefully reviewed his records, guided him through the correct waiting period, and a year later helped him close on a brand-new, handicap-accessible home that fit his needs perfectly. At closing, he and his wife cried tears of relief, telling me they had feared it would all fall apart again.
In both cases, I saw strong men — who had already sacrificed so much — overcome with emotion at achieving homeownership. Those moments remind me that my work is not just about mortgages, but about protecting dreams, honoring service, and giving veterans and their families the stability they deserve
What improvements do you think the mortgage industry can make to better serve military borrowers?
One of the most significant pain points for military borrowers is the VA appraisal process. While the VA loan is an incredible benefit, the appraisal system often creates unnecessary delays. Many VA-approved appraisers are nearing retirement age, and the VA has made it extremely difficult for new appraisers to join their panel. This results in a shortage of appraisers in many markets, and those who are active often take the full 10 business days allowed — which can easily stretch into three weeks. In a housing market where most contracts close in 30 days, these delays can put veterans at a disadvantage, sometimes even leaving families in temporary housing while they wait.
Compounding the issue, the VA does not allow for rush appraisals, even in urgent situations. The lack of flexibility adds stress and creates barriers to homeownership for those who have already sacrificed so much.
While these changes would ultimately need to come from the VA, the mortgage industry can play a role by advocating for reforms, encouraging the VA to expand its appraiser panel, and pushing for modernization of the process. At the same time, lenders and loan officers can work more proactively with veterans and real estate agents to set realistic expectations, prepare strong contracts, and help navigate potential delays.
Improving this piece of the process would not only level the playing field for veterans in competitive markets, but also honor their service with the efficiency and respect they deserve.
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