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Mary Ellen Vanaken assisting Gulf War Veterans with VA home loans in Georgia

Gulf War Veterans

August 30, 20253 min read

Assisting Gulf War Veterans

Mary Ellen Vanaken is an approved real estate agent for Gulf Water Veterans. 

Gulf War Veterans is an organization that helps veterans utilize their VA loans. When you use Gulf War Veterans, a real estate agent is assigned to you to ensure that you receive the most from your benefits and will be there to walk you through the entire process. Mary Ellen Vanaken represents the following Georgia counties: Cherokee, Cobb, Forsyth, and Fulton. 


Mary Ellen Vanaken's Story

As the owner of the Mary Ellen Vanaken Team, one of the top real estate teams in the Keller William Realty North Atlanta (KWNA) office, I look forward to working with you. My backyard has everything available from starter homes, condominiums, and investment properties to large luxury homes and estates. I enjoy working with all types of clients including first-time buyers, investors, and builders.

Besides being, a realtor and team owner with KWNA, I am also a member of Keller Williams Luxury and Keller Williams Sports & Entertainment Divisions. I have served on the Keller Williams North Atlanta Agent Leadership Council for 15 years and have been with KWNA for over 18 years.

I was born and raised on Long Island in New York. My father, Donald, was in the Army and served in the Vietnam war. I am passionate about helping our military and military families as they buy and sell homes worldwide.

Retaining the services of the Mary Ellen Vanaken Team entitles you to a network of professional individuals committed to helping you all the way through to the closing table. I utilize the latest technologies, market research, and business strategies to exceed my client’s expectations. 

Beginning your home search can be an overwhelming and daunting task. Because of that, our team makes sure that you, and all other potential buyers, understand each of the 8 steps that we take to make the process as easy and painless as possible. By the end of your search, with our support and guidance, you will live happily ever after in your new, dream home.

If you are selling a home in North Atlanta, my team and I will provide a comprehensive digital marketing strategy to sell your home. Our approach includes targeted Facebook advertising, email marketing, content marketing, and personalized 1-to-1 outreach.

I can also assist you with your investment needs. Using your VA loan to buy a multi-family unit can offer you years of income.

I work with the best VA Lenders and will work to make your transaction stress-free. 

I believe that a home is not a home because of its room dimensions or the color of the walls. It is about how you feel when you walk through the front door and how you can instantly envision your life unfolding there. It is about your life and your dreams. Contact me today and allow me to assist you in finding your next dream home.

Your Georgia Lender

Marc Budnik has been a Mortgage Advisor for over 20 years. He has helped thousands of families into homes.  

As a professional, Mark is extremely driven and passionate to help everyone, especially Veterans.  Helping Veterans hits home.  His brother-in-law is a Chief Master Sargent - Air Force.  His best friend is a Lieutenant Colonel- U.S. Army. Understanding mortgage options and loan choices are key to a stress-free home-buying process. Communication is everything. Mark will provide the most detailed information and options for Veterans,  families, and first-time buyers.

Mark focuses on consulting, advising, and providing the best possible options. "Everything I do is based solely on expectations and goals. Tremendous pride is taken when I am working to ensure all the best interests are met.  My flexible schedule allows me to talk with others 7 days a week. I feel being flexible provides comfort, support, and security. I look forward to talking with you one day."

Contact Marc Budnik today!


Several images on blog by pch.vector on Freepik

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Mary Ellen was born and raised in Long Island, New York. After graduating from college, she worked on Wall Street for JP Morgan in New York City. For the past 25+ years, she has been living in the Alpharetta, Georgia with her husband and daughter. International travel and business are her passions and she loves to go to as many different countries of the world as possible and to indulge in the culture.

Mary Ellen has an outgoing personality and is known to be aggressive in marketing real estate. Her goal is to make YOU happy and she knows that buying and selling houses can be very stressful. Her job is to make it as stress-free as possible. With her background in accounting and finance, she will be able to help you find the best value your money can buy.

Her professional associations and certifications include Atlanta Board of Realtors, Leadership Council for Keller Williams Realty, CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) and CFIS (Certified Foreign Investor Specialist) as well as being a member of KWGPS (Keller Williams Realty Global Property Specialist). In the past several years, Mary Ellen has worked to achieve several additional designations including CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist), SFR (Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist, e-Pro Certified and a Certified DRS AgentTM

Mary Ellen Vanaken

Mary Ellen was born and raised in Long Island, New York. After graduating from college, she worked on Wall Street for JP Morgan in New York City. For the past 25+ years, she has been living in the Alpharetta, Georgia with her husband and daughter. International travel and business are her passions and she loves to go to as many different countries of the world as possible and to indulge in the culture. Mary Ellen has an outgoing personality and is known to be aggressive in marketing real estate. Her goal is to make YOU happy and she knows that buying and selling houses can be very stressful. Her job is to make it as stress-free as possible. With her background in accounting and finance, she will be able to help you find the best value your money can buy. Her professional associations and certifications include Atlanta Board of Realtors, Leadership Council for Keller Williams Realty, CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) and CFIS (Certified Foreign Investor Specialist) as well as being a member of KWGPS (Keller Williams Realty Global Property Specialist). In the past several years, Mary Ellen has worked to achieve several additional designations including CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist), SFR (Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist, e-Pro Certified and a Certified DRS AgentTM

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