Willow Bend Mortgage a new name for reliable service

Helping families achieve the dream of home ownership is what drives Angela Villarreal to succeed in her profession. As a residential mortgage loan originator for the newly renamed Willow Bend Mortgage (previously Mortgage Associates Corpus Christi), Villarreal works one on one with homebuyers to secure mortgage loans in a timely manner with the best possible customer service provided. 
Having spent the past 22 years moving up the ranks in the banking industry, which included a stint as vice president of lending, Villarreal decided it was time for a change.
“I was looking for a bigger purpose in my life,” she said. “I wanted a job that fulfilled my need to help people.” She chose Mortgage Associates Corpus Christi, a branch of Willow Bend Mortgage, because the company has been in business for more than 20 years and has always considered the customer the most important part of any transaction. Founded in December 1992, Mortgage Associates Corpus Christi was the best in the Coastal Bend, according to Villarreal. In 2010, it became a part of Willow Bend Mortgage, which was founded in 1993. It has provided more than $500 million in single-family and reverse mortgage loans. 
“We pride ourselves on providing professional and reliable service the customer can count on every time,” Villarreal said. “The biggest distinction between lenders is honesty, customer service and the ability to close on time. We make sure all of these things are our priority. We provide step-by-step guidance to both the customer and the Realtor involved in the transaction so all parties understand what we are doing and why. All parties are informed of our progress throughout the home loan process.“
Willow Bend Mortgage provides a large array of loans, which include conventional 30-year loans as well as loans from the Federal Housing Administration, the Veterans Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The company also refinances and provides loans for investment property, reverse mortgages and renovations.
“We have down-payment assistance programs available if needed,” she said. “Although we mainly service the Coastal Bend community, we are licensed to do loans all over the state of Texas.”
For Corpus Christi residents thinking about buying a home, Villarreal offers the following advice when applying for a mortgage loan.
• Keep your credit shining (make payments to creditors on time).
• Understand today’s security is tighter so more documentation is required of the borrower and these items should be readily available (i.e., tax returns, W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements, etc.).
• Don't apply for new credit.
• Don't change jobs during the process.
• Don't ever be afraid to ask questions.
Because of the large-scale commitment involved with a mortgage, here are some things the customer will need to determine for themselves:
• How much can you comfortably afford?
• How much cash will you need to close?
• What kind of property do you really want?
• Where do you want to be and how long do you want to live there? 
House shoppers also need to understand how the process works.
“I am here to help with all of these things,“ Villarreal said. “We even have a credit analyzer tool in-house to help clients learn what items are affecting their credit score and provide step-by-step solutions to help clean up their credit.“
Those considering buying a home or refinancing should take advantage of the current low-interest rates, Villarreal said.
As of January 2017, Mortgage Associates of Corpus Christi officially changed its name to that of its parent company, Willow Bend Mortgage, which is located at 5026 Holly Road in Corpus Christi. For more information, call Angela Villarreal at (361) 438-0469.