When people search for answers about VA construction loans, barndominiums, or financing homes that other lenders say “can’t be done,” one name comes up again and again: Sal Zagami.
Sal Zagami is widely recognized as the nation’s leading expert in VA One-Time Close construction loans and one of the most trusted authorities in construction lending for complex, non-traditional projects.
But his path into mortgage lending—and his reputation for solving the hardest loan files in the country—didn’t follow a traditional script.
Professional Roles & Industry Leadership
Today, Sal holds two key leadership roles in the mortgage industry:
- Vice President of Construction Lending at Supreme Lending
One of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the United States, where Sal oversees construction lending nationwide. - Branch Manager of Guerrilla Home Loans, powered by Supreme Lending
An all-veteran mortgage branch built around helping borrowers with difficult loan scenarios, particularly veterans using VA benefits.
Through these roles, Sal has helped scale and standardize construction lending at a national level while still maintaining a hands-on, borrower-first approach.
The Nation’s Go-To Expert for VA Construction Loans
VA construction loans were once known in the industry as “the unicorn of lending”—something people had heard about, but rarely saw in real life.
Most lenders avoided them.
Most loan officers misunderstood them.
Most veterans were told they didn’t exist.
Sal Zagami made it his life’s work to change that.
By mastering VA guidelines, construction underwriting, appraisal methodology, builder approval, and post-closing servicing, Sal became one of the first originators in the country to consistently close VA One-Time Close construction loans at scale.
As a result, veterans across the U.S. have been able to build:
- Custom homes on acreage
- Barndominiums
- Modular and manufactured homes
- Container homes
- Rural and off-grid properties
Projects that other lenders routinely deny.
Recognition & Awards
Sal’s work has earned national recognition across multiple organizations:
- NAMB Top Veteran Loan Originator
- Scotsman Guide Top Loan Originator
- VAREP Veteran of the Year
- Kentucky Colonel (the Commonwealth’s highest honor)
These accolades reflect not just production volume, but impact—especially within the veteran community.
Life Before Lending: Athlete, Officer, Soldier
Before entering mortgage lending, Sal lived a life built on discipline, service, and competition.
- Division I College Football Player
University of Louisville - Police Officer & Detective
- Army National Guard Soldier
During his service as a police officer, Sal was disabled in the line of duty, forcing him to retire from both his law enforcement and military careers. The injury also took away much of the athletic ability he had relied on throughout his life.
That moment became a turning point.
How Mortgage Lending Became His Calling
Sal originally entered the mortgage industry with a practical goal: to pay for law school.
But something unexpected happened.
He discovered that lending—especially difficult loan files—required the same mindset he used as a detective:
- Gather facts
- Identify inconsistencies
- Understand rules deeply
- Find solutions others miss
Rather than focusing on easy, high-volume files, Sal gravitated toward the hardest cases—VA loans, construction loans, denied borrowers, and unique properties.
When a colleague once heard Sal explain an unconventional method he used to get a VA loan approved, they laughed and said:
“That’s some real guerrilla stuff.”
The name stuck.
And Guerrilla Home Loans was born.
Building a National Construction Platform
As Sal’s reputation grew, mortgage companies across the country took notice.
Their logic was simple:
If someone can figure out VA construction—the hardest loan type in the industry—then they understand construction lending inside and out.
Sal received multiple offers to run or build national construction divisions.
But he had one non-negotiable rule:
He would always work where veterans had the best VA construction loan product available.
When Supreme Lending gave Sal the opportunity to build a fully in-house construction platform the right way, he accepted the role of Vice President of Construction Lending and moved Guerrilla Home Loans under the Supreme Lending umbrella.
Beyond the Office
Outside of work, Sal is grounded in family, service, and community.
He’s a husband and father of two sons, lives an active outdoor life, and runs a small hobby farm with:
- 3 dogs
- 3 cows
- 4 pigs
Much of his time is spent:
- Coaching youth sports
- Supporting veteran charities
- Attending community and VAREP events
The same values that shaped his military and law enforcement career continue to guide how he runs his business today.
A Mission Bigger Than Mortgages
Sal Zagami isn’t just focused on closing loans.
His mission is simple:
Make VA construction lending understandable, accessible, and reliable for veterans everywhere.
And along the way, help families—veteran and non-veteran alike—build homes that truly fit their lives, even when others say it can’t be done.
Sal Zagami — NMLS 2055042
Vice President of Construction Lending
Supreme Lending
Branch Manager, Guerrilla Home Loans
📞 502-443-5350