Customer Highlight: VA Loan Expert Serving Those Who Served

How Drake LeMaster Jr. is helping veterans achieve homeownership—with the right guidance and the right follow-through

In the mortgage world, it’s easy to say you “serve veterans.” But for Drake LeMaster Jr., that commitment runs deeper—it’s personal.

As Vice President and Loan Officer at Veterans Loan Service Center in New Mexico, Drake has built his business around one mission: helping veterans fully understand—and actually use—the benefits they’ve earned.

A Mission Rooted in Family

Drake’s path into veteran lending didn’t just happen—it started at home.

His father, a Marine veteran and founder of the company, built the business with a vision to better serve those who are often overlooked.

“A lot of veterans get pushed to the background,” Drake shared. “We wanted to create something that really focused on them.”

That mission carried through generations. With grandparents across multiple military branches and wars, Drake grew up surrounded by service and sacrifice—and today, that perspective shapes how he approaches every client.

More Than a Loan, It’s a Life-Changing Moment

In his six years as a loan officer, Drake has helped dozens of veterans, and hundreds more across the company, navigate the path to homeownership.

Some of those moments stick for a reason.

“We had a veteran living in a mold-infested single-wide with zero credit. We were able to get him into a home. He was absolutely grateful.”

For Drake, these aren’t just transactions, they’re turning points.

Another client had been turned down by three different lenders before finding his team.

“We were able to structure it correctly, account for their income the right way, and get them approved. That’s why knowing the guidelines really matters.”

Breaking Through Misinformation

One of the biggest challenges veterans face isn’t credit or income, it’s misinformation.

From misunderstandings about eligibility to confusion around benefits, Drake sees it every day.

• Veterans told they can’t use their VA loan more than once
• Buyers encouraged to avoid VA financing altogether
• Misconceptions about strict inspections or requirements

“A lot of people don’t realize—you can use your VA benefits again. Even while owning another home in some cases. Or that there’s no down payment and no mortgage insurance.”

That’s where expertise, and patience, make all the difference.

A Different Approach to Serving Veterans

Working with veterans requires more than technical knowledge, it requires understanding.

“Some clients are dealing with PTSD or just a tough transition back into everyday life. The process needs to be calm, clear, and transparent.”

That focus on clarity and trust is what helps Drake and his team create a smoother experience in what is often the biggest financial decision of someone’s life.

Staying Connected Beyond Closing

For Drake, the relationship doesn’t end at the closing table—it’s just the beginning.

And that’s where consistent communication becomes essential.

“We’ve got 300–600 past clients. Keeping up with everyone manually just isn’t realistic.”

With Aduvo, that connection stays intact without adding to the workload.

• Holiday emails that keep them top of mind
• Updates on new veteran benefits (like property tax reductions)
• Ongoing education that helps clients make smarter decisions

“Clients reply all the time—‘Thanks for thinking of us.’ That’s the kind of touchpoint that matters.”

Educating Veterans Every Step of the Way

Beyond email communication, Drake and his team are committed to ongoing education.

From sending timely updates to hosting webinars with realtors and industry partners, they make sure veterans understand:

• What they’ve earned
• How to use their benefits
• What opportunities they may not even realize they have

“It’s about helping them from start to finish—and even after.”

What It Means to Be Unforgettable

When asked what being “unforgettable” means, Drake didn’t hesitate.

“It’s about making a lasting impression and building real trust. By the time we get to closing, it should feel like we’ve known each other for years.”

That mindset—combined with consistent communication—creates relationships that last well beyond the transaction.

Advice for Other Loan Officers

Drake’s advice for others looking to better serve the veteran community is simple:

“Learn your VA guidelines—and really understand them. That’s how you’re able to truly help.”

Because in his business, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s opportunity.

Closing Thought

Drake summed it up best:

“Stories sell and facts tell.”

And his story is proof that when expertise, empathy, and consistency come together, you don’t just close loans—you change lives.