By Terra Avilla
This week I wanted to talk about Kristina Shafer, Lassen County’s unofficial mortgage whisperer, math translator and all-around home-buying superhero.
She does so much, except without a cape, and what would appear to me as a lot more actual paperwork.
You see, when my family stumbled into the housing world in 2019, numbers were attacking from all sides and my toddler, Pearl, was in the “scream, drool, repeat” era.
Somehow through that mess, Kristina made us feel like we found a safe person to help us, because let’s be real, your mortgage lender knows your life pretty dang well by the end of the process, every debt, paystub and weird purchase on your bank statement.
Back when Omega was called Summit Financing, Kristina sat with us – sometimes for what felt like days – while she patiently navigated every confusing form.
We showed up with kids, questions and a mild fear that we were asking the same thing for the 10th time. Yet, she never once rolled her eyes, even when I tried to math using only hope and caffeine.
At that time, we didn’t have a realtor… just Kristina. I feared buying directly from private owners was supposed to be complicated, but the process felt less scary and more like, “Just follow Kristina, she knows where all the hidden snacks are.”
She always explained things in regular human language, not in banker speak, which as first-time home buyers we can never thank her enough for.
Fast forward to now – we are back at it, and Kristina continues to be a gem.
Lassen County’s charm will always be its people, and Kristina’s blend of expertise and genuine kindness has saved more than just mortgages… it has saved our sanity.
When your loan officer not only gets the job done but also laughs at your dumb jokes and lets your sticky toddler crawl under the desk, you know you found a keeper.
Kristina is also involved in all sorts of local activities, from supporting events with donations to showing up for fundraisers that most people avoid unless there’s free cake (me… I’m people).
Several times a year Kristina picks a local nonprofit and quietly donates a chunk of her profits, because she loves where she lives, and she is one of the reasons I do too!
Kristina Shafer is more than just excellent at her job – she’s the kind of person who genuinely makes Lassen County better (and frankly, sets off the “is she secretly a superhero?” alert).
Not only is she a loving wife and community supporter, but every single month she gives a portion of her earnings to nonprofit organizations in town – because that’s how you actually walk the walk. Who does that? Kristina does, and she does it without turning it into a big Facebook brag.
Community Involvement
Kristina is involved in all sorts of local activities, from supporting events with donations to showing up for fundraisers that most people avoid unless there’s free cake. Her generosity is so well-known that groups like the Susanville Police Officer’s Association publicly thanked her for stepping up to help local causes.
Giving Back All Year Long
Every month without fail, Kristina picks a local nonprofit and quietly donates a chunk of her hard-earned cash. If you’re wondering whether anyone actually does this, look no further. Kristina is the real deal.
She doesn’t just support the town with paperwork and patience; she backs it up with action (and, let’s be honest, probably good snacks for volunteers).
The Heart Behind the Hustle
On top of everything else, Kristina is a dedicated wife, often seen cheering on her family and friends in ways that make small-town life feel like one big group hug. So, when the question is “Who gives back?”—here’s the answer, printed in bold, highlighted and maybe even written in glitter: Kristina does.
