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SPOTLIGHT 44 | | Spring 2017 H ow much home can I afford? According to Brian Schluter, manager of Mortgage Origination, this is one of the most frequently asked questions from member-owners interested in purchasing a home. To fi nd the answer, Schluter works alongside the loan offi cer team in the Mortgage Department of American Airlines Federal Credit Union. They spend time with those in search of fi nancing to make the right fi nancial decision for each unique situation. "The No. 1 thing we care about is our members and their overall fi nancial health and prosperity," Schluter says. For more than a decade, Schluter has been helping people at the Fort Worth Flagship Branch get fi nancing for the home of their dreams. To choose the best mortgage for each member, Schluter starts with the big picture. "There are a lot of things that go into an underwriting decision for granting a mortgage, but we break down income, assets and credit. We look at what would be affordable for their monthly budget and we work backward from there." Drawing from the knowledge he gained studying real estate and fi nance at the University of Mississippi, Schluter is involved every step of the way from "overseeing the process starting from the intake of all loans to seeing it through to the point where it goes to be prepared for closing." Recently, he's been proactively sharing his expertise with others. Schluter and his direct supervisor regularly host events at which American Airlines employees can learn more about the ins and outs of getting a mortgage. "Once a quarter, we put on a home-buying lunch-and-learn seminar for members at the American Airlines campus," he says. What's the best advice Schluter has to offer someone in search of a mortgage? "First of all, you want to do a little bit of homework and get your budget in order. Make sure you're disciplined and know your monthly total payment target, so you stay within that realm while you're looking for the right property." For more information about mortgages off ered through the Credit Union, visit HomeLoAAns.org, contact a Home Loans representative at (800) 533-0035, Ext. 4201 or see Page 33. Employee Spotlight Home sweet home: Brian Schluter helps house hunters fi nd mortgage loans B Y JA M E S M AY F I E L D