If happiness is a choice, Jackie Iverson has made it — and she’s extremely pleased with where her life path has taken her.
Iverson grew up in Washington, DC and joined the Army in 1997. She performed as a 92A, Automated Logistics Specialist responsible for scheduling, maintaining and ordering parts for Tactical Wheeled Vehicles, Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) Protective Equipment and Weapons. She also served as a Combat Lifesaver in Kaiserslautern, in Southwestern Germany.
After she left the service in 2001, she moved to Monterey Bay, in Northern California, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Social Action and Creative Writing using the GI Bill. From there, she moved to North Carolina, and then back to DC.
It was a pivotal point in her life. “I’ve always wanted to own a house and, when the COVID-19 shutdown started, I decided I needed some stability,” she tells us. “I wanted to retire and live in a home of my own in a community I loved.”
Iverson had decided it was time to leave the “nomad lifestyle” of her military life behind and put down some permanent roots. DC, with its soaring home prices, was not an option, she says. She did a lot of research to decide the best location for her “last” move. She wanted a scaled-down version of big-city life— somewhere with an airport and cultural hub, but also with open space to explore; somewhere already attracting businesses and new residents that would continue to flourish and prosper.
After some careful consideration, she chose Atlanta, Georgia to plant her roots. Then she contacted AMS to help with obtaining a mortgage.
Road to Homeownership
Iverson was referred to AMS by her best friend and Army buddy who already uses AAFMAA life insurance and wealth management services. “My best friend, an AAFMAA Member for some time, said, ‘call these guys. Whatever needs to be done for you to purchase a home they’ll guide you through it and help you get to the best outcome’.”
She reached out to Scott Betz, a Military Mortgage Advisor in the AAFMAA’s Mortgage Services’ (AMS) Wilmington, North Carolina office in late 2020. Like many of AMS’s Military Mortgage Advisors, Betz is licensed in several states.
Betz went over Iverson’s credit and finances and together they put together a plan that would put her in the best position to get a great interest rate. Iverson stuck to the plan, and soon qualified for her zero-down VA Home Loan at 2.875%.
Within weeks, she’d purchased a three-bedroom single-family home in an Atlanta suburb. Because Iverson has a service-connected disability, she saved about $10,000 in VA funding fees (generally 2.30% for borrowers using VA loan benefits for the first time) and will not have to pay Georgia state taxes on the loan.
“The buck stops right here with this property,” she says. “I’m so happy. I love, love, love Atlanta and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t move here sooner. It’s just beautiful.”
Choosing Happiness
Although she’s only been in her first house for a short time, Iverson has already turned it into her “forever home.” Of the three rooms upstairs, one is her bedroom, one is her office, and the other a guest room. She has high entry ceilings, a deck out back, a two-car garage and a basement complete with a home theater. Plus, it is in a great community with a pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and walking trails. “Everyone waves at you when you go by,” she says. “It’s just a beautiful place to live.”
“It’s been such an exciting change,” Iverson says. “This is my dream, and I’m grateful to AMS for helping me to get here.”
In Her Own Words
Iverson was so pleased with her experience with AMS that she expressed her appreciation to AMS’s Betz, and Kevin Crooks, manager of AAFMAA Wilmington office, in writing:
“Dear Scott, I wanted to stop and take some time to thank you, Kevin Crooks and your entire team. I am absolutely thrilled to say that I love my new home! I was not only able to find a beautiful home, but you helped me purchase my dream house. I would especially like to thank Kevin and Scott who went above and beyond to make my dream of homeownership come true. These two gentlemen helped me overcome some very difficult obstacles and never gave up on me.”
She also has something to pass on to her fellow AMS Members: “I just want to say to anyone out there who’s thinking about buying a home, whether you have everything together or you don’t, reach out to AAFMAA. They will guide you through everything and explain the process as it happens so you’ll know what to expect. And they’ll stick with you in the trenches until you’ve got those keys in your hand.”
We’re Here to Help
If you’re not certain about whether or not it’s the right time to purchase a home, or refinance your existing mortgage, please contact AMS online today or give us a call at (877) 387-6856.
One of our Military Mortgage Advisors, who are licensed Mortgage Loan Originators, will provide you with an honest and fair comparison of your mortgage options, including a wide range of low-rate and low-cost mortgages designed to meet your needs.
Ensuring existing and prospective AAFMAA Members obtain the best mortgage possible is our mission. Get your free mortgage assessment today!