Kylie Raffi - Loan Officer at Southern Trust Mortgage - Nmls# 2233835

06/17/2026

Morning meetings at sign STM up! Thanks Nick’s for letting us crash!

06/09/2026

Over 100 real estate professionals joined us at the Delta Hotel for our Condo Seminar, and what a great afternoon it was! 🏢

With so many upcoming condo guideline changes, reserve requirements, insurance updates, and financing considerations, we wanted to make sure our agent partners had the knowledge they need to confidently guide their clients.

A huge thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to attend, ask questions, and invest in their business. The turnout was incredible, and it proves that education is still one of the most valuable tools in our industry.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share, learn, and grow together. If you missed it, don’t worry we’ll have more classes and industry updates coming soon!

SouthernTrustMortgage

05/20/2026

🚨 REALTORS — if condos are part of your business this is a class you do NOT want to miss.

Major condo financing changes are here, and they’re going to impact approvals, HOA reviews, reserve requirements, insurance, delinquency limits, and even how much buyers can put down to “cure” issues.

Translation? Deals that used to work may not anymore. 👀

Join us June 3rd as Southern Trust Mortgage Condo Specialist Cheryl Young breaks down:

✔️ The new FNMA/FHLMC condo changes
✔️ What’s changing immediately vs. 2027
✔️ Why some condos may become ineligible
✔️ How these updates affect buyers, sellers, and agents
✔️ What you need to know BEFORE writing offers

PLUS waterfront happy hour, networking, and raffle prizes after 🍹🌊

📍 Delta Marriott – Virginia Beach
🗓 Wednesday, June 3
⏰ 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

The agents who understand condo financing are going to stand out BIG over the next year. Be the one clients call when everyone else is confused. 👏

05/01/2026

2025 President’s Club 💫

I sat here for a minute trying to think of something polished to say… but that wouldn’t be me.

Because this year? It wasn’t pretty.
It was gritty. It was emotional. It was a whole lot of “we’ll figure it out” moments.

$25 MILLION.
98 families.
And a version of me that got built in the middle of the chaos.

Because let’s call it what it is…
$25 million doesn’t come from easy loans.
It comes from the files that make your stomach drop.
The ones that unravel… then somehow come back together at the very last second.
The ones people say “no” to… and you decide you’re not done yet.

There were nights I stared at my phone waiting for updates.
Weekends that didn’t feel like weekends.
Moments I questioned myself… and then chose to show up anyway.

Because this was never just about numbers for me.

It’s about the single mom who didn’t think it was possible.
The first-time buyer who needed someone to believe in them.
The families who trusted me in one of the biggest moments of their lives…

That’s what this $25M actually represents.

To every realtor partner and friend who put their name next to mine thank you. You trusted me with your people, and that means everything to me.

And to Wes Flowers you didn’t just teach me how to do loans… you taught me how to change people’s lives. You pushed me, challenged me, and believed in me long before I fully believed in myself. The last 4 years changed everything for me.

Also thanks to Meg… she absolutely crushed it for us this year every chaotic moment she kept me level headed.

3rd President’s Club trip… and it still doesn’t feel real.

But if you know me… you know it’s not stopping here.

2026 ➡️ $35 MILLION.

Let’s run it back.

04/23/2026

From slinging drinks AND placing… to pulling up in matching shirts like we had a strategy all along 😂⛳️

At the Tidewater Mortgage Bankers Association golf charity tournament:

Drinks were flowing
Swings were… questionable at times
But the FITS?? Unreal.

Somewhere between hole 3 and “one more round,” they decided we were athletes 🏆

Nothing more dangerous than a coordinated group of mortgage lenders with a little confidence and a leaderboard spot 😎

04/20/2026

Still taking this one in… 🥹

Last month at Sales Summit, I was honored with the All Star Award voted on by the entire company.

And on top of that, I had the opportunity to speak on the Emerging Stars panel… which was just as meaningful. Being in a room full of people pushing to grow, sharing experiences, and learning from each other is something I don’t take lightly.

Out of everything, being recognized by the people you work alongside every day means the most. The ones who see the behind-the-scenes, the long hours, the tough files, and the wins… that says a lot.

Grateful for this team, this journey, and everything that’s ahead. 💙💚

Let’s keep raising the bar.

03/18/2026

02/20/2026

Congrats Kelly & Paul! 🎉

They both truly put in the work to get to the finish line, and it absolutely paid off in the best way possible. From start to finish, they stayed committed, patient, and focused — and now officially homeowners!!! This is such a huge milestone and something to be incredibly proud of.

This journey took effort, planning, and trust in the process, and they handled every step like pros. Seeing it all come together at the closing table is the BEST feeling, and they earned every bit of this moment.

Also, major shoutout to, 👏✨
Securing over $15,000 in closing cost assistance is no small win that is HUGE!!!

Thank you again for trusting me to be part of such an exciting chapter. I am so honored to have helped you get into your new home. Now it’s time to celebrate, pop the champagne 🍾, and start making memories in a place that is officially YOURS.

02/11/2026

🚨 GRANT UPDATE — READ THIS 🚨

Virginia Housing just reduced the Community Heroes Grant from $10,000 ➡️ $5,000.

I know… not the news we love to hear. BUT before anyone panics — let’s talk strategy.

✨ $5K is STILL $5K in free money.
✨ It can STILL be layered with other assistance programs.
✨ It can STILL get you into a home with less out of pocket.

And now for the GOOD news… 👀

💥 FHLB Workforce & First-Time Homebuyer Grants are right around the corner.

That means:
🏡 Up to $15,000 (Workforce)
🏡 Up to $17,500 (First-Time Buyer)
📅 First-come, first-serve
📑 Must be under contract to secure funds

If you have buyers shopping right now — this is the time to tighten up pre-approvals and be ready to move. These funds go FAST every year.

Grant money shifts. Guidelines change.
But having a lender who stays ahead of it? That part doesn’t. 💙

If you want to game plan how to stack VH + FHLB the right way, my phone is on. 📲

01/27/2026

This milestone isn’t about production — it’s about people.

Every dollar represents a client who trusted me and a partner who believed in my work. $25,223,033 funded in 2025 is a reflection of the community I’m lucky to be part of.

Thank you for allowing me to make home happen, one family at a time. 💚