HERCULANEUM: Mortgage company makes vet's dream come true
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| Andrew Jansen Photo Veteran Don Minzer was able to buy his home in Herculanum with the help of Paramount Mortgage. |
Minzer, 41, a 100-percent disabled veteran of the Navy, had been trying to secure a mortgage for a home in Herculaneum.
After six attempts, no luck.Rather than give up, Minzer decided to give it one more shot.
He contacted Paramount Mortgage and met mortgage banker Bill Litteken.
Litteken was intrigued by Minzer's story.
"The real estate agent told us he had been turned down by several companies and needed someone to take a gamble on him," Litteken said.
Litteken, whose grandfather and father both served in the military, called Minzer shortly thereafter.
"I contacted him and got the story on what he'd been through and figured we could make it work," he said. "He sounded very sincere and I wanted to help him get back on his feet."
Minzer, who served in Afghanistan before departing the military in 2005, was thrilled to hear the news.
"They were super helpful," Minzer said. "I'm disabled and on a set income and was paying more in rent that on my mortgage. Bill stuck his neck out big time."
Minzer said he was "losing hope" after being misled by another real estate agent who promised help in buying a home if Minzer moved from Washington, D.C., to the St. Louis area.
After packing up his dogs and heading east, Minzer received an unpleasant surprise.
"When we got here they said our debt ratio was too high and basically threw us in the street," he said.
With the assistance of a local real estate agent and Paramount Mortgage, Minzer was able to find a home in Herculaneum in short order.
"It was amazing," he said.
Minzer said Paramount Mortgage even went one step further by waiving $1,000 in closing costs.
"I was in shock," he said.
Now, with the help of Litteken, Minzer is enjoying his new role as a homeowner.
"I've moved in and made the first mortgage payment," he said. "I'm doing really well."
