Kara West, Local Residential Lender

Not all of our local businesses have storefronts on University or College. Kara West is a Rolando Park resident with a business that offers services for our community.

Kara serves on the local Rolando Park Community Council, is a board member of nearby Wesley House (which provides affordable housing to low-income college students), and manages the operations for an international non-profit (PCI) implementing humanitarian assistance projects across Latin America and Africa. However, her day job is actually as Rolando Park’s local residential lender for home purchases (FHA, VA, Conventional) and refinances.

For example, you might have noticed the new mid-century modern bright teal unit on Waite Street. Kara, her husband Simon (and their dog Moonie), financed the project by tapping into their Rolando Park home equity.

Kara is happy to provide free number crunching and loan advice to her neighbors. An annual review of your current mortgage is a great way to ensure that the financing you have in place is still the right choice for you. Refinancing could offer lower monthly payments, a lower interest rate, a shorter term loan, or cash for debt consolidation, education, or renovations.

Kara moved into Rolando Park in 2015 and with the appreciation in home values we’ve seen in the neighborhood over the years, it was a short time before she was able to refinance to drop the private mortgage insurance (PMI) weighing down on her monthly payments, and then later gain enough equity to take a cash-out refinance to build the unit over the garage. These “granny flats” can be used for extended family or as rental income.

Kara loves Rolando Park and making positive contributions and impact in the community. If you have any questions about home financing, don’t hesitate to reach out to Kara by phone, email, or in person if you see her on a dog walk with Moonie (look for her pushing her dog in a stroller).

Kara West
607-220-6516
KaraWest@APMortgage.com