Kara Lachapelle,
Chief Financial Officer
Providence, RI – RIHousing announced its top-producing lender partners of 2022 as part of its annual recognition of industry partners. Working with more than 40 lender partners throughout Rhode Island, the agency helped over 1,300 first-time homebuyers purchase homes last year.
“While Rhode Island’s housing market experiences low inventory and higher interest rates, RIHousing has been working for the past 50 years to offer innovative products to help first-time homebuyers buy a home that fits their needs,” said Peter Pagonis, Director of Homeownership at RIHousing. “Our network of Participating Lenders has been critical for us to accomplish this.”
RIHousing announced Main Street Home Loans as the agency’s Participating Lender of the Year for the third consecutive year. In 2022, Main Street Home Loans funded more than $90 million in first mortgages for 263 families through RIHousing’s homeownership programs.
“We want to provide the best product for first-time homebuyers in Rhode Island,” said David Travers, Area Manager, Main Street Home Loans. “Not even just them, [but] anyone we can put into RIHousing programs, we will. It’s a local partnership and it means a lot.”
In addition to celebrating its partnership with Main Street Home Loans, RIHousing also recognized its Top Producing Loan Officers:
Patricia Vargas, based in Providence, immigrated to Rhode Island from the Dominican Republic in 1993 and has been a loan originator for almost 7 years. She originated over $19 million in first mortgages with RIHousing and helped 52 Rhode Island families achieve their dream of homeownership in 2022. As a first-time homeowner herself, Patricia understands the overwhelming process of homeownership and emphasizes the importance of consistency, due diligence, follow-up and education during the mortgage process.
“It feels so good to know how many families I was able to help– I was so excited!” said Vargas, Senior Home Loan Consultant, Main Street Home Loans. “I feel very accomplished. Anyone who can take advantage of [RIHousing’s] programs, I offer it.”
Mauricio Garces, based in Cranston, came to the United States from Colombia at the age of 11 and has been originating in Rhode Island since 1999. In 2022, Garces has assisted 46 families reach their dream of homeownership and originated more than $16 million in first mortgages. As a Latino American, Garces takes pride in being able to assist other Latino and Hispanic people navigate through homeownership.
“It is about helping people,” shared Garces, Loan Officer, Primary Residential Mortgage. “It’s great to know I can help them with RIHousing. A big barrier is that they don’t have the money for down payment, but RIHousing programs makes it possible.”
Waldy Ripoll, based in Cranston, has originated mortgages for four years. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Ripoll credits his value in hard work to his entrepreneur parents. This year, Ripoll assisted 42 families and has originated more than $15 million in first mortgages. He shares that seeing first-time homebuyers reach their goals is the most fulfilling part of his job:
“I go above and beyond for my clients by providing consistency and education,” said Ripoll, Loan Officer, Movement Mortgage. About his success he shares, “I guide them in the right direction, be up–front and always tell what to work on if they’re not ready for homeownership yet. Sincerity has grown my business to be able to help many more first-time homebuyers– and that’s been a blessing.”
For the past 50 years, RIHousing has offered an extensive line of loan options for first-time homebuyers, current homeowners and Rhode Islanders looking to improve their homes. Since 1973, approximately 85,000 first-time homebuyers have received assistance in purchasing their home through the agency. RIHousing loans are available through the RIHousing Loan Center and a network of participating lenders across the state.
