(IDAHO FALLS) Idaho Housing and Finance Association will honor more than 50 Idaho Falls area REALTORS® who have represented IdaMortgage home loan buyers during an upcoming REALTORâ Appreciation Luncheon in Idaho Falls. In total, these REALTORS® have represented 250 buyers who purchased their homes with IHFA’s IdaMortgage home loans totaling more than $25 million collectively.

“REALTORS® play an important role in providing information about IHFA’s IdaMortgage loan products,” said Susan Semba, IHFA’s director of Homeownership Lending. “I commend these award recipients for their hard work and dedication to their field.”

The following REALTORS® will receive “Your Key to Housing Opportunities” Awards during a luncheon to be held at noon Wednesday, April 16 at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls. The awards presentation is slated to begin at 12:40 p.m.

Gold Award
Gilberto Ruiz, Century 21 Advantage
Gil and his wife, Martha, have been successful in their real estate partnership since 1999. As a team they have worked to bring the reality of homeownership to the Latino community of Idaho Falls. Gil and Martha have helped grow the opportunity for homeownership within the Latino community by teaching first-time homebuyer education classes in Spanish. They have also been recognized among the top 10% of REALTORS® in their market. In his community efforts, Gil was one of the founders of Latino Day, a Sunday event held at the Museum of Idaho to celebrate music, food, and other aspects of the Latino culture with the public. Gil and the Ruiz Realty Team at Century 21 Advantage take pride in a high level of customer service to get the job done for their clients.

Silver Award
Garth Jones, Re/Max Homestead Realty
Garth has over 13 years of experience in the real estate profession. He finds that the most important aspect of his job is to educate his clients so they can make an informed decision about buying a home. With a background in customer service, he gives them the critical information necessary to help them in this process. He also teaches a homeownership class in his community. Garth has been a member of the Re/Max 100 Club since 1996 and has been in the Re/Max Hall of Fame since 2004. Garth frequently recommends the IdaMortgage Advantage loan products and encourages homebuyers to work with a lender who has a full menu of loans to fit their needs. Overall, Garth loves to do a good job for his clients and sets a high standard for himself toward this goal.

Bronze Award
Travis Greene, Realty Quest
Travis has been a REALTOR® for six years and has lived in the Idaho Falls area for about 16 years. His expertise and focus as a buyer’s agent allows him to dedicate time and effort exclusively in one area. Travis enjoys helping families achieve homeownership. He helps them address a real need, and whether it’s moving out of town or helping them during the course of new construction, he gives his full attention to them.

Recognition
These REALTORS® will be recognized for representing at least nine IHFA home loan buyers: Susan Allred, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Steve Anderson, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Leon Cervantes, Century 21/Greater LandCo Realty; Evan Cook, Legend Realty; Danny Hebdon, Help-U-Sell of Rexburg; Kris Kirkham, Legend Realty; Kathy Martin, High Desert REALTORS; Kevin Murray, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Martha Ruiz, Century 21 Advantage; Rafael Ruiz, Century 21 Advantage; Susann Shadley, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Sally Smith, Century 21 Advantage; Tony Stallings, Century 21 Advantage; Randy Trane, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Susan Weaver, Re/Max Homestead Realty; Bryan Webb, Era Archibald-Reece Real Estate; Ryan Webster, Re/Max Homestead Realty; and Jim Windmiller, Win Star Realty.

IHFA has been issuing home loans for more than 30 years. In that time, the Association has invested more than $4.1 billion in loans for more than 58,000 Idaho families. In the Idaho Falls area alone, more than 5,200 families have received IHFA loans, an investment of $339 million.

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The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing business organization, provides funding for affordable housing in communities where it is most needed and when economically feasible.