BOISE, Idaho—April 26, 2012—Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) honored 75 Twin Falls area REALTORS® during its biennial Star Awards appreciation luncheon held Wednesday, April 25, at the Canyon Crest Event Center. The Star Awards program was created by IHFA to recognize REALTORS® and lending partners who have helped homebuyers utilize IHFA’s home loans in the qualifying time period. The Twin Falls area Star honorees represented 306 homebuyers using IHFA home loans, achieving a collective total of more than $34 million.

“Our partners play a key role in providing information to homebuyers about IHFA’s home loan products,” said Susan Semba, IHFA’s vice president of Homeownership Lending. “Together, we are helping Idaho homeowners start smart by encouraging them to take Finally Home!® Homebuyer Education, and purchase a home using affordable loan products with great interest rates, including down payment assistance and additional tax credits of up to 20 percent when they file their taxes for the year.”

Since IHFA first began issuing home loans more than 35 years ago, the association has invested more than $5.8 billion in loans for more than 76,004 Idaho families. In the Twin Falls area alone, more than 5,811 families have received home loans through IHFA, an investment of over $1.5 billion.
The following top REALTORS® were recognized for their accomplishments during the past two years.

Gold Award Recipient
Alex Castañeda, an associate broker for Prudential Idaho Homes and Properties, was the recipient of the Star Gold Award. He has been a REALTOR® for 11 years and was the Star Silver Award recipient in November 2007. He opened a Hispanic division for Prudential, and his team has won the Chairman’s Gold Circle Award from Prudential National three years in a row.

Alex especially likes helping people purchase their first homes and understands the importance of homebuyer education from the initial loan application to the final purchase.

Silver Award Recipient
The Star Silver Award went to Juan Silvaz from Blossom Heights Realty. Juan has been a REALTOR® for six years and specializes in being a buyer’s agent. He received Rookie REALTOR® of the Year recognition his first year in business. “IHFA home loans have made it easier for my clients to qualify for loans and have helped them achieve their dreams of owning a home,” said Juan.

Bronze Award Recipient
Sid Lezamiz with Lezamiz Real Estate Co. was the recipient of the Star Bronze Award. Sid is a lifelong resident of the Magic Valley and has been a REALTOR® for more than 20 years, having obtained numerous real estate licenses and certifications—including Certified Residential Specialist and Certification Accreditation in Real Estate Law, Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Finance, and Broker’s Administration. He was also the Star Silver Award recipient in May 2010. He opened his company in 1999 with a nontraditional, “team” approach, which he feels has enhanced his organization’s ability to provide superior customer service.

Certificates of Appreciation
In addition, the following REALTORS® were recognized with Certificates of Appreciation: Faye Emerson, Magic Valley Realty; Joe Farfan, CENTURY 21 Riverside Realty; Donna Hall, Canyonside Irwin Realty; Judy Holland, Canyonside Irwin Realty; Gary Shook, Canyonside Irwin Realty; and
Aaron Walker, Gem State Realty.

Lender Recognition
The area’s top lending partner and loan originators who had the highest IHFA loan production this past year in the Twin Falls area were also recognized. (As Star Awards luncheons are scheduled every two years and IHFA loan product offerings continue to evolve each year, lenders are recognized for their IHFA production through other means in the years no formal recognition events are held.) Guild Mortgage was honored as Top Lending Partner, having processed 121 loans. In addition, the top three loan originators for Twin Falls were Marety Jaro and Debbie Owen with Guild Mortgage, and Tyler Newton with Idaho Lending Group, whose combined efforts resulted in the processing of 74 home loans.

Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing business organization, improves lives and strengthens Idaho communities by expanding housing opportunities, building self sufficiency, and fostering economic development