Success Stories

In 2023, TLS was in the midst of a rebranding effort. As part of the project, our consultant collaborated with a talented local Native graphic artist, Adrian Tsosie, who created vibrant new backgrounds and PowerPoint templates for our materials. Through this work, Adrian became more familiar with TLS’s mission and services. During conversations, he shared that he was actively saving money and growing his small business, with a long-term goal of becoming homeowner-ready. We let him know that when the time was right, we’d be here to help. 

In 2024, Adrian attended our Homebuyer Meet & Greet event, where he mentioned he was getting closer to applying for a mortgage. At that point, his primary focus had shifted to reducing debt. He remained committed to the process, and in early 2025, he joined all four of our in-person Financial Education Workshops, where he openly shared how the knowledge, he gained was positively impacting his finances. 

That March, we invited Adrian to be a panelist at our Native Youth Empowerment Symposium, where he spoke on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He inspired Native youth by emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and early financial planning. 

Through these consistent touchpoints—events, workshops, and one-on-one coaching—we built a strong and trusting relationship with Adrian and his wife, Nicole. In March 2025, they officially applied for a home loan. Thanks to their diligent savings and continued financial preparation, they were approved, and in June 2025, the Tsosie family closed on their new home. 

We are proud to celebrate the homeownership achievement of Mr. and Mrs. Zuni! Ryan and Shaypof came to Tiwa Lending Services ready to begin their homeownership journey after experiencing a variety of living situations. Like many families in Native communities, they had lived in multi–generational households and had also rented, all while keeping their goal of homeownership in sight. As their family continued to grow, they became determined to find ahome that truly fit their needs.

Although the idea of buying a home first crossed their minds in 2022, they officially began the process with Tiwa Lending Services in August 2025. After reviewing their application and credit history, it was clear they were well–qualified and prepared to move forward. With a realtor already in place, they quickly found a home that met their needs and successfully submitted an offer.

It was an honor to work alongside Mr. and Mrs. Zuni throughout this process. At closing, they shared the joyful news that their family of three was soon becoming a family of four! To commemorate this special milestone, Tiwa Lending Services presented them with a hand–painted pottery housewarming gift. Congratulations to the Zuni family on finding their new home and taking this exciting next step together!

Mrs. Alvarado and her family had inherited a home on the Isleta Pueblo Reservation and we’re excited to move in but also explore renovation options. Mrs. Alvarado had applied with TLS in 2022 for a home renovation and was approved. After approval, she started the Pueblo of Isleta Homesite Application and proceeded retrieving all required department signatures. When she started this Homesite, there were some delays with Tribal Administration since they had a hold on housing development.

TLS did not want her project to be delayed too much and helped her with a consumer loan of $50K! This helped her family start phases of the renovation. Mrs. Alvarado also attended our 3-week Financial Education Workshops and received her certificate. Mrs. Alvarado spent her 2023 waiting for her completed Residential Lease survey and then when completed, BIA and Pueblo of Isleta put a hold on the Residential Lease process.

TLS worked diligently with BIA and Pueblo of Isleta to verify the new protocol they were brainstorming, once changed, TLS was finally able to turn in her BIA packet to Pueblo of Isleta for recording. We received her recorded documents in 2024 and could move forward with a mortgage loan closing. It is with such joy to share that Mrs. Alvarado closed on her home in August 2024!! She was able to utilize down payment assistance from Oweesta’s WORTH Initiative. The mortgage loan was able to help her the remaining phases of the renovation. We enjoyed her determination, cooperation, and patience.

Stephanie has rented since early adulthood, becoming independent at 18. In 2022, she
and her partner, Derek, combined households and focused on building strong
budgeting habits and savings. Encouraged by family and aware of rising home prices
and uncertain interest rates, they began discussing homeownership in the summer of2024.

While home shopping, the couple found prices in the high $400,000s, making the
process feel challenging. Stephanie reached out to Tiwa Lending Services to see if
mortgage options were available outside the reservation. After learning they were,
Stephanie and Derek completed the pre-approval process, continued their search, and found a home that fit both their needs and financial plan.

Stephanie and Derek became Tiwa Lending Services’ first mortgage closing in the
Albuquerque Metro Area. With the addition of down payment assistance, Tiwa Lending
Services helped ensure greater comfort and stability with their loan terms. We are
proud to celebrate this exciting milestone in their journey to homeownership.