CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Holland realtor helps veterans, frontline workers purchase homes

The Holland Sentinel - 6/16/2021

Jun. 15—HOLLAND — Local realtor Jennifer Gradnigo is focused on helping a niche market of homebuyers through the red-hot market of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gradnigo, who served in the U.S. Army Reserve for more than 20 years, has a message for veterans looking for their next home: there are programs available to help.

"We know many veterans don't know much about VA Loans," Gradnigo said. "When I looked at my first condo in Washington, a friend of mine told me not to use them. I trusted her. But since my husband and I moved to Michigan, we've always used VA Loans. We know they work."

To share her knowledge, Gradnigo held a special seminar for veterans and active military members. There, she met Iraq War veteran Dan Conner.

"He basically said, 'I've spoken to dozens of lenders over the last 18 months and I've given them all my financial information and they keep telling me to raise my credit score. Sometimes they don't call me back at all. I don't understand.' But his credit score was just fine," Gradnigo said.

Conner is considered 100 percent disabled and lives with his wife and seven children.

"They knew they wanted to own a home," Gradnigo said. "They understood what it means for children, for community involvement. There was no logical reason why people weren't calling him back. And exactly a month later, we closed on his new home. Our offer was accepted on the second house."

As part of her "Home Girl Heroes" program with Blueberry Realtors at Keller Williams Harbortown, Gradnigo wrote Conner a check for $500 at closing.

The program is available to frontline workers, including firefighters, EMTs, police officers, veterans, healthcare professionals, teachers and active military members. It aims to connect "heroes" with multiple resources to save money when buying a home.

"These people work very hard," Gradnigo said. "And they sometimes don't understand how easily they can buy a home, and what that means. That's when I decided to start the program.

"I have three lenders who provide benefits to the buyers when they obtain a loan. One of my inspectors provides a discount. And I write them a check. It just helps, especially when you're moving into a new home or your first home. I want these heroes to have a little relief when they sign those papers."

Gradnigo encourages veterans to consider VA Loans and speak with an experienced realtor before walking away from the current market, which heavily favors sellers with home prices inflated by thousands of dollars and many buyers offering to skip traditional inspections.

"VA Loans are often preferred by lenders because they're backed by the government," Gradnigo said. "The average time to close on the loan is 20 days. We owe it to our veterans and other heroes to help them own a home and live the American Dream."

— Contact reporter Cassandra Lybrink at cassandra.lybrink@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Instagram @BizHolland.

___

(c)2021 Holland Sentinel, Mich.

Visit Holland Sentinel, Mich. at www.hollandsentinel.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.