Idaho Falls area REALTORS to be recognized at IHFA luncheon Tuesday

Real estate professionals to receive “STAR” awards

IDAHO FALLS, – June 16, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — During a REALTOR® Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, June 15, Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) will honor 75 Idaho Falls area REALTORS® who helped homebuyers utilize its IdaMortgage Home Loan program. These REALTORS® represented 308 buyers who purchased their homes with IdaMortgage home loans in the last two years—for a collective total of more than $39 million in loan reservations.

“REALTORS® play a key role in providing information about the IdaMortgage Loan program,” said Susan Semba, IHFA Homeownership Lending Director. “This partnership is an important part of the success of our IdaMortgage program.”

Since IHFA first began issuing home loans more than 35 years ago, the Association has invested more than $5.1 billion in loans for more than 68,718 Idaho families. In Idaho Falls area alone, more than 8,535 families have received IdaMortgage loans through IHFA, an investment of over $612 million.
The following REALTORS® will receive “STAR” (Saluting Top Area REALTORS®) Awards during a luncheon to be held at noon Tuesday at the Historic Shelton Reception Center in Idaho Falls. The awards presentation is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m.

Gold Award
Marcus Hopkins, a REALTOR® at WinStar Realty will receive the Gold Award for representing 11 IdaMortgage homebuyers. Marcus contributes much of his success as a REALTOR® to three things: having great mentor’s in the industry, having a very supportive family, and his dedication to providing outstanding customer service to all his clients. Marcus works with a lot of first-time homebuyers and feels it’s his job to educate his buyers. His lenders often refer clients to IHFA loans because they provide programs that work for almost anyone and they are willing to work with everyone on an individual basis. Marcus is a lifelong resident of the Idaho Falls area.

Silver Award
Julie Winn of Century 21 High Desert will receive the Silver Award for representing 10 IdaMortgage homebuyers. She has been a licensed REALTOR® for only three years but is no stranger to the business; for her it is a family affair. Julie’s father, mother, and all her siblings are REALTORS® in the Idaho Falls area. Julie loves working with first-time homebuyers and appreciates the great loan programs IdaMortgage offers for her clients. As the mother of five children, Julie says real estate gives her the flexibility needed to keep up with the kids and attend all the events they participate in.

Bronze Award
Launie Shelman of WinStar Realty will receive the Bronze Award for representing 8 IdaMortgage homebuyers. Born and raised in Rexburg, Launie got her Idaho REALTORS® license in 2007. Launie loves handing house keys to a new homeowner because it is effectively opening a new chapter in their lives, Launie says she appreciates the IdaMortgage loan programs and says when no one else can get a loan through; IdaMortgage will work with borrowers to find a program that works for them. “They have programs that work for almost anyone, they add hope.”

Certificates of Appreciation
These REALTORS® will be recognized for representing at least seven IdaMortgage home loan buyers: Susan Allred, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Shawn Anderson, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Travis Greene, Realty Quest; Garth Jones, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Jared Lords, Silvercreek Realty Group; Jed Lowder, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Tina Miller, Assist 2 Sell The Realty Team; Martha Ruiz, WinStar Realty; Rafael Ruiz, Rivertown Realty, LLC; Tony Stallings, Century 21 Advantage.

The “STAR” awards are a statewide recognition program for REALTORS® who have helped their clients utilize IdaMortgage loan products. Award recipients are determined by the number of IdaMortgage loan program homebuyers they have represented.

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Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing business organization, provides funding for affordable housing in communities where it is most needed and when economically feasible.

Contact:
Lisa Davis lisad (at) ihfa (dot) org
IHFA Public & Media Relations Officer
208-331-4858
Steve Rector stever (at) ihfa (dot) org
Public Affairs Director
208-331-4725