First and foremost I want to thank you for taking the time to visit my home page.  It is my pleasure to share with you my experience and give you some back ground information about me and my team.  I subscribe to Responsible Lending practices and ethical lending and business practices.  This has been honed and sharpened by my 15 years in the business.  Having served at various levels in the mortgage industry from Vice President of a bank to loan officer of a mortgage company.  I have seen upfront the horrors that happen to people when dealing with lenders who are too new to understand what they are doing or simply do not care.  I am pleased of the team of dedicated mortgage professionals I have been able to assemble.  We take you step by step through the process, fully explaining the debt you are about to create and assisting you in the management of that debt.

Since a mortgage loan is tied to what is perhaps your most valuable asset and most emotionally charged asset, your home, I have set out to provide to you, my client a series of templetes that will help you not only manage your debt but your other credit as well.  It has been a joy and a plesure to assist people acheive a better life for themselves.  While most mortgage loan officers can only sell you a loan at my team we do not sell you a loan, what we do is craft and deliver you peace of mind in a 5 step process that allows you to chose the mortgage loan that is right for you.

I firmly believe that by offering people a choice and a voice in the mortgage process that they become more engaged in the process and the overall impression is positive.

As our team begins to grow again we have added to this our inter-active website called

http://www.theresponsiblemortgagelender.com/ has been launched.  Here you will be able to find out answers to your many questions regarding a mortgage.  You may also send me an email to http://michael.mapes@suntrust.com and sign up for my Rate Watch and home valuation model.  There is no obligation to apply for a loan.  It is simply my way of promoting responsible and ethical business and lending practices.

My primary focus is on the Hampton Roads Virginia markets and Lending in other Regions of Virginia.  However, as the years of past I have acquired the ability to complete loans for borrowers in all 50 States.  As a Mortgage Banker and not a Mortgage Broker I am able to complete that transaction in a much more streamlined and effiecient manner.  Because Technology has advanced so much over the past 5 years, completing a Mortgage Loan via the internet or email is acheivable with realistic time frames and ease.

Please feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns and I will personal guarentee that you get me and not someone else.

Michael Mapes is an Award Winning Responsible Mortgage Lender practicing the Art of Mortgage Banking in all 50 States.  For more information on me please visit http://www.theresponsiblemortgagelender.com/

Awards Recieved:

Presidents Club 2000, 2001,2002

Bronze Club 2003

Michael Mapes was recently featured in the Daily Press on the recent housing slump.  For this and other articles written and published by Michael Mapes please visit his website

Over the last 15 years my team and I have honed our skills into four very important areas of mortgage financing.

1. *  Loans over a million dollars.
2. *  VA refinances and purchases up to 417,000
3. *  FHA and First time home buyer loans upto 313,000.00
4. *  Conventional loans up to 417,000 as well as High Net Worth Clients.

This product offering covers over 1,500 products of which we can service ourselves should we need to.  It is mine and my teams pleasure to serve you and guide you through and help you manage this debt that you are about to create.

My Teams motto is "by empowering people to take hold of their future, you in essence set them free to be themselves."

If you are relocating to Hampton Roads, Virginia area, which encompasses Hampton,Newport News, Williamsburg, Poquoson, Yorktown, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.  Then please visit http://www.theresponsiblemortgagelender.com/ for information regarding purchasing a home in Virgina.

Current Suntrust Customers can refinance their home easily and simply by completing a online modification loan at www.suntrustmortgage.com/mmapes and clicking on the streamline refinance option.  It's fast, easy and very inexpensive.

Find out why a Responsible Lender is the Way to go

"Michael Mapes and his associates at American Home Mortgage helped me get my life back on track.  After experiencing a health issue and some financial issues, Michael treated me with dignity rather than a statistical risk not worth taking.  He worked with me, gave excellent advice and helped me through a refinance to stabilize my financial issues.  In Short, Michael helped me save my home.  Michael's success is due to the fact that he truly believes his purpose in the mortgage business is to help people improve their financial situation.  I recommend him to my family and friends and I will always go back for any future mortgage needs".

Tanya Brittin, Poquoson, Va.

"Thank you so much for the assistance your've provided me over the years as my Mortgage Lender.  Through two home purchases (including my first home) and two refinances, you made what could  have been a stressful experienc a smooth and worry free process.  Thanks for all of the invaluable adice and I look forward to working with you in the future!"

Len Mitchner-Stafford, Va.

"Michael I want to thank you for all that you do for us.  The advice you have given us over the years is solid and logical.  Even when we are not in the market for a mortgage you freely and openly offer your time and resources.  I simply do not know how to thank you enough."

Eric and Maria Nelson - Columbus, Ohio

Michael Mapes helped me save my home.  I was lost and in financial dispair.  With his guidence and patience over a six month period Michael was able to get me back on track, refinance my home into a normal fixed rate loan and pay off all my bills.  Now I have money in the bank and can breath again.  I owe alot to Michael and his patience because no one and I mean no one wanted to help me.  Jeff Chaney-Hampton, Va.

I have used Michael to purchase two homes and three refinances.  Every time I come to him I find his advice both wise and it makes common sense.  Not once has he ever over charged me and he always took his time to fully explain to me and my wife the loan we were getting.  Needless to say we will use him and his services for the rest of our lives.  Royce and Cathy Conner-Poquoson, Va.

My husband and I used Michael to finance our homes prior to us ever meeting.  When we got married and decided to buy a home, I told my husband who we were using and he said that Michael had done 3 loans for him before and could not imagine going else where.  We have done 8 loans with Michael in the 16 years we have known him.  He is honest and trustworthy and his advice makes good financial sense.- Freddie and Karen White, Newport News, Va

Michael saved us time and money as we used him for our new construction loan.  Michael is the best we recommend him to every one - Joe Lucido, Poquoson, Va