We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lourdes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lourdes thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
The best investment I ever made was buying a four-unit building using my VA loan. It took me three years of discipline—paying off debt, saving reserves, and working over 400 days straight without a day off—to get there. The plan was simple: use my VA loan for investments, and my ex-husband’s VA loan for the homes we lived in.
Although my marriage didn’t survive, the strategy did. I closed on the building, lived in one unit, and now it cashflows $40K–$60K a year. At first, I was terrified the maintenance would be too much, but building the right team—contractors, attorneys, mentors—changed everything.
Today, three years later, I’m sitting on enough equity to buy 6–10 more units and expand into supportive housing for veterans. One of my units going to be converted to a 12-week program for women veterans to help them rebuild and thrive.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Lourdes Fernando – Veteran Advocate, Realtor, and Community Leader
Lourdes Fernando is a dedicated advocate for veterans, leveraging her own experiences to empower others, particularly women veterans, to achieve financial independence and stability. As an 11-year Army National Guard veteran and a Chicago realtor specializing in VA loans, Lourdes has made it her mission to educate veterans on how to strategically use their VA home loan benefits. Over 90% of her business focuses on helping veterans achieve homeownership, but her service extends far beyond real estate transactions. She provides ongoing support to veterans by assisting them with VA disability benefits, educational opportunities, and community engagement.
Her commitment to the veteran community extends through her involvement with organizations such as Chicago Veterans, Merging Vets and Players, and the Travis Manion Foundation. She has spearheaded initiatives like VA housing education programs and all-women veteran gatherings, creating supportive spaces where women veterans can network, build confidence, and develop strategic plans for success. One of her most impactful contributions is the launch of the All-Women Veteran Division within Chicago Veterans, which has hosted over 20 successful events to date.
In addition to her work in the veteran space, Lourdes serves in leadership roles within Keller Williams Realty. As chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, she leads initiatives that celebrate real estate success stories from diverse backgrounds. As the Regional Ambassador for KW Military in the Midwest, she provides critical support and guidance to fellow agents working with VA loans and military clients.
Lourdes is also actively involved in community-building initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build, where she has contributed her time and skills for three years, helping construct affordable housing for veterans and their families. Her advocacy efforts have been widely recognized, including an appearance on WGN9 News, where she shared her personal journey and emphasized the importance of housing stability for veterans. In 2023, she was nominated for the True Grit Award by Merging Vets and Players and was honored with the REALTOR® Community Service Award for her unwavering dedication to the veteran community.
Through her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to giving back, Lourdes continues to make a lasting impact on veterans and real estate professionals.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
After an unfortunate personal experience—being kicked out of my home by my ex-husband—I was forced into survival mode. Rather than letting this setback define me, I turned adversity into opportunity by purchasing a multiunit property with my VA loan. This decision allowed me to create passive income, which became a cornerstone of my financial stability. It was a challenging time, but it fueled my determination to help other veterans do the same. Today, I share my story widely to inspire others to leverage their VA benefits to build wealth and secure their futures.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What helped me build my reputation within my market is a combination of dedication to service, personal experience, and a strong commitment to supporting veterans. By focusing on helping veterans achieve homeownership through VA loans, I’ve built trust and credibility in my community. My personal journey—purchasing a multiunit resonates with many veterans who are looking to leverage their benefits for financial stability. I make it a priority to share this experience, empowering others to create passive income and secure their futures. Additionally, my active involvement in organizations like Chicago Veterans, Merging Vets and Players, and the Travis Manion Foundation, along with my leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion within Keller Williams Realty, has allowed me to expand my network and strengthen my reputation as an advocate for veterans and a reliable real estate professional.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lourdes_lu_fernando/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lourdes.hurtado.39
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lourdes-fernando-4294689b/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vahousingeducation
Image Credits
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