Veteran-owned mortgage company puts customers first By Jillian Chandler | Photo Courtesy of Northwest Mortgage Services
Founded in September 1988 by Jeffrey W. Carr, Northwest Mortgage Services, local and veteran owned, has been committed to its borrowers from day one. After 34 years serving the community, Jeff announced his retirement in September of this year, passing along the baton to Abel Hernandez, who joined Jeff at Northwest Mortgage Services in February 2018, and Abel’s wife Tracie.
Abel and Tracie are now the proud owners of Northwest Mortgage Services and will continue to operate with the high level of integrity of that of their predecessor. Abel adds that his desire is to continue to operate a business that puts the needs of his clients before his own. “We have a fiduciary duty to the client, and that is what drives our daily decisions,” affirms Abel.
Jeff, who has more than 34 years of mortgage experience, also has a strong accounting background from his previous CPA experience. “Working under Jeff has allowed me to gain knowledge faster than most due to his experience,” shares Abel. “He’s lived through many market fluctuations, and getting firsthand knowledge has helped us respond to the market a lot quicker.
“His experience has allowed me to better serve my clients. Having a mentor like Jeff has been like having a walking dictionary, professor, mortgage reference all in one. He has taught me that not all mortgages are the same, and having the right knowledge is essential in servicing the client well.”
Providing clients with residential mortgages (purchase and refinance), including conventional, VA, FHA USDA and non-conforming loans, Northwest Mortgage Services sets themselves apart from the rest in numerous ways: They have access to wholesale lenders, which have some of the lowest rates in the nation; the business is veteran owned, as both Jeff and Abel are Army veterans; they are rooted in the community; mortgages are their sole purpose; not tied down to any one lender, allowing them to shop the mortgage that meets their customers’ goals; close loans faster; invest into the community by supporting other local businesses; work during non-regular hours such as nights and weekends as needed; and Jeff served as the president for the Washington Association of Mortgage Brokers.
“The most fulfilling part of every mortgage is helping people achieve their goals—in many cases, we help individuals surpass their goals. For example, we have closed loans other institutions couldn’t due to a lack of product offering, credit restrictions, or greater costs,” says Abel. “It’s also very fulfilling to re-establish trust in local businesses. When borrowers learn of our ethics firsthand, they leave grateful.”
Abel and Tracie have called Gig Harbor home since February of 2015, embracing the small-town feel. “You constantly run into people you know around the community events,” states Abel. “Knowing the people that you help in your own community is satisfying, and there’s a sense of accountability. Supporting other local businesses also makes us feel good about being local. There’s a unity which is similar to our Army days.”
In addition to the work he does through Northwest Mortgage Services, Abel is a veteran-certified peer counselor and has volunteered in organizations that have important meaning to him: Warriors Breaking Bread (WarriorsBreakingBread.org), All American Assistance Dogs (AAADogs.org) and the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation (PTSDFoundation.org).
“For Both Jeff and Abel, volunteering with such organizations in the past or in the future is important, because they have aimed to serve members of the veteran and first responder community with the intent to help them achieve healing and growth,” shares Tracie. “Abel has first handedly experienced the benefits of what these organizations provide.”
If you are looking for a mortgage brokerage who will work on your behalf, with your goals and best interest in mind, Abel is ready to answer the call to serve.
Northwest Mortgage Services, Inc.
NMLS 42631
7116 Stinson Avenue, Suite A205
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335
253.851.1687