UFCW Member Achieves American Dream
Thanks to the Union Plus Mortgage program, Carlos Martinez, 21, has achieved the American dream of home ownership. Martinez exemplifies how the Union Plus Mortgage program can help active and retired union members and their families own a home of their own.
At an age when many are living in a house full of roommates, bunking at a friend's home, or sleeping in their childhood bedroom, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 1546 member, Carlos Martinez stands out among his generation. Thanks to the Union Plus Mortgage program, Martinez, 21, of Chicago, Illinois, has already achieved the American dream of home ownership. Martinez exemplifies how the Union Plus Mortgage program can help active and retired union members and their families own a home of their own.
The Union Plus Mortgage program with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, features unique benefits designed to meet the needs of union families. The program has provided over $43 billion in mortgages to help more than 260,000 union members buy or refinance a home.
Union Plus Mortgage program benefits are available to retired and active union members, their parents and children. Some of the benefits of the program include:
Some of the other benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage program include:
- Hardship Assistance1 – Union Plus Mortgage Assistance helps members and their families who are unemployed, recently disabled, on strike, or locked out make their mortgage payments with interest-free loans and grants. Mortgage Assistance has provided more than $11 million to help members keep their loans current and stay in their homes.
- Award Card – Union members and their families receive a Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award card after closing on a purchase or refinance loan.2
"I really am glad that my loan officer at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage told me I was eligible for a Union Plus Mortgage," says Martinez. "I not only got a mortgage I could afford, I also now have special protections to help pay my mortgage if I can't work. I don't know of another mortgage that would help union members the way the Union Plus Mortgage does”.
Martinez adds, "My fiancée and I are excited to start our lives together in our own home. It's a good size rambler and because it was just renovated, we don't need to do any major work on it. Plus, it's a great neighborhood -- the people are friendly and they are family-oriented. It's a great fit. Thank you, Union Plus, for helping me achieve my goals every step of the way. Buying a home can be stressful, but Union Plus and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage had my back."
Martinez' new home is a short drive to the food processing plant where he has worked for the past three years. It is the same facility where his father, Carlos Martinez, Sr., also a member of UFCW Local 1546, has worked for 17 years. Despite having grown up in a union household, Martinez was unaware of all the Union Plus discounts and services available to union families.
"I'm glad I didn't miss out. I hope union members check out all the Union Plus discounts, and if they're looking to buy a house, they need to check out the mortgage program. Union Plus Mortgage is the best program. It can save you money, give you financial security if you can't work, and help with the expense of being a homeowner," says Martinez.
1. The Union Plus® Mortgage Assistance Program is provided and administered through the AFL-CIO Mutual Benefit Plan (“The Plan”), which is not affiliated with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Additional information about this program and eligibility criteria can be obtained at www.unionplus.org/assistance.
Home equity financing is not eligible for the benefits of this program. Union Plus® is a registered trademark of Union Privilege.
Information is accurate as of date of printing and is subject to change without notice.
2. Eligible individuals can receive the Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award approximately 6 weeks after closing on a new purchase or refinance loan secured by an eligible first mortgage or deed of trust with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (“New Loan”), subject to qualification, approval and closing, when identifying themselves as eligible. The My Mortgage GiftSM award is not available with any Wells Fargo Three-Step Refinance SYSTEM® program, The Relocation Mortgage Program® or to any Wells Fargo team member. Only one My Mortgage Gift award is permitted per eligible (“New Loan”). This award cannot be combined with any other award, discount or rebate, except for yourFirstMortgageSM. This award is void where prohibited, transferable, and subject to change or cancellation with no prior notice. Awards may constitute taxable income. Federal, state and local taxes, and any use of the award not otherwise specified in the Terms and Conditions provided at receipt of award are the sole responsibility of the My Mortgage GiftSM recipient.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage has a services agreement with Union Privilege in which Union Privilege receives a financial benefit for providing agreed upon services. You are encouraged to shop around to ensure you are receiving the services and loan terms that fit your home financing needs.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. 7/16