THDA No. 1 Loan Originator of Two Years Shares the Secret Behind Success
When most people call their loan officer, they expect paperwork. When they call Tammy Ladd, they get a partner, a guide— and sometimes a miracle. A Dyersburg native and Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s (THDA) no. 1 loan originator for two years in a row, Ladd goes beyond the numbers to help members overcome barriers to homeownership.
“I always thought that I wanted a job where I could help people. I think my mindset at the time was thinking that the only way you could help people was something like nursing. Little did I know there were so many jobs out there and opportunities to help people. The blessing that comes out of what I do, helping single mothers, first time home buyers, is so rewarding,” said Ladd.
Ladd helps home buyers by meticulously looking through their unique financial situation and helping them access programs like THDA’s Great Choice Home Loan, USDA Rural Development, FHA, VA and local grants, often combining them to make homeownership possible.
“If it wasn’t for THDA, there’s no way I could help a lot of my people without that down payment assistance,” said Ladd. “The interest rate for THDA is lower and it’s allowed people that have a lower credit score to be able to take advantage of lower rates, which in turn, keeps their payment in line.”
THDA’s Great Choice Loan is a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage designed for moderate-income Tennesseans. Available to first-time homebuyers, and even some repeat buyers, who meet income and purchase price limits, THDA also offers a down payment assistance option to borrowers in the form of a second loan.. To qualify for a Great Choice Loan, buyers must complete a homebuyer education course, giving them the tools for long-term homeownership.
“When I have a homebuyer that’s nervous, I try to guide them,” said Ladd. “Home buying is the biggest investment that most of us will ever make. If you take care of that property it’s not going to depreciate, it’s going to keep its value and if anything gains value.”
In a housing market where affordability is vital, Ladd’s deep knowledge of lending programs and her unwavering dedication have made her not just a loan officer but a lifeline for hundreds of families pursuing the dream of homeownership.
