HOUSING NEW MEXICO RECOGNIZES ITS 2026 TOP LENDERS By Kristie Garcia, Housing New Mexico Thousands of New Mexico families realized the dream of homeownership in 2025 thanks to Housing New Mexico’s participating lenders and the mortgage programs offered by the organization. Housing New Mexico announced the 2026 Achievement Award recipient, as well as its Top Metro and Rural Lenders, as part of its lender recognition program. For the third year in a row, John Gabaldon with Waterstone Mortgage Corporation in Albuquerque received the Housing New Mexico Achievement Award, which is presented to mortgage originators who produce 100 or more Housing New Mexico loans in a year. “I have been working with Housing New Mexico/MFA for well over a decade now, and we have a relationship that is like family,” said Gabaldon. “We serve the common goal of wanting to help New Mexico families get into affordable housing to have a good quality of life and build generational wealth. I love working with Housing New Mexico/MFA!” Marty Padilla, also with Waterstone Mortgage Corporation in Albuquerque, was named Top Metro Lender for the second consecutive year. “My first loan using the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (Housing New Mexico) program was in 1991, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping what I believe to be well over 2,000 families use this program to achieve the dream of homeownership,” said Padilla. “I have seen firsthand how powerful this program is in opening doors for people from all walks of life. It has helped veterans, single mothers and fathers, retirees purchasing homes later in life, families living on Social Security, rideshare and delivery drivers, and professionals working at our national laboratories. Although there are income limits based on family size, the program has proven that homeownership is possible for many hardworking New Mexicans. It has helped people of all backgrounds and circumstances, and it continues to be one of the most impactful tools we have to help families overcome the challenges of a down payment and closing costs. “Housing New Mexico recently celebrated its 50th year of helping families across our state, and I am grateful to have been a small part of that mission. My success as one of the top lenders in New Mexico is due in large part to the opportunities this program creates for the families we serve. At the end of the day, it’s never about the award. It’s about the moment a family is handed the keys to their new home — the smiles, sometimes the tears of joy and the pride in their eyes when they realize they finally have a place to truly call their own.” Nikki Sandoval-Belt with Cornerstone Home Lending in Farmington was named Top Rural Lender for the second time in three years. “Housing New Mexico programs play a pivotal role in making homeownership a reality for so many New Mexicans,” said Sandoval-Belt. “These programs not only empower individuals and families to achieve their dreams of owning a home, but they also strengthen our communities by fostering stability and growth. The transformative impact of Helping Thousands of New Mexico Families Become Homeowners Each Year 16
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