Shirley Mueller has been a loan originator since 2003 and has specialized in VA home loans for over 20 years. She specializes in the parts of the VA program most lenders avoid — one-time-close construction loans and complex refinances — as well as everyday VA purchases and IRRRLs. For buyers assuming a seller’s VA loan, she offers the second lien that helps bridge the equity gap.
How I got here
My path to VA lending started right after college. I joined a mortgage company that partnered with Military.com, and nearly every inquiry that came across my desk was from a service member, a veteran or a military family. I learned the VA program inside and out, built my business serving veterans, and never looked back. More than 20 years later, it’s still the work I love most.
Why it’s personal
Both of my grandfathers served in World War II. My mom’s father, James, served in the U.S. Army. My dad’s father, Louis, was a pilot in the Army Air Forces — the forerunner of today’s Air Force. I grew up listening to their stories, and I’ve never lost my respect for what it means to serve. Helping veterans use the home loan benefit they earned is my way of honoring that.
No surprises at closing
The worry I hear most from veterans is simple: Will I be misled? Will there be a surprise at closing? It’s a fair question — too many people have been hit with fees they didn’t expect or numbers that changed at the last minute.
That’s why every guide on this site lays out the real rules and the real costs, and why I walk you through your numbers — the funding fee, closing costs and cash to close — before you’re committed. By the time you sit down at the closing table, there should be nothing on it you haven’t already seen.
What working with me looks like
The feedback I hear most often is that every question got answered. That’s the standard. You’ll know what you qualify for and why, I’ll tell you plainly when a loan doesn’t make sense, and you’ll be able to reach me and my team from application through closing.
What veterans say
4.9 95 Google reviews“Shirley and her team were an absolute pleasure to work with. They helped my wife and I obtain a VA Construction Loan which gave us the ability to build our dream home.”
April 2026 · Google review
“Great experience with them. Shirley and her team are awesome. They do everything to make sure it is a smooth process for a VA loan. I read a bunch of great reviews about them and went with them because of that. I highly recommend using Shirley at Cross Country Mortgage.”
April 2026 · Google review
“Ms. Shirley and her team are the BEST. Clear communication, specialized VA knowledge, responsiveness, and reduced stress. Thank you all for your help .”
April 2026 · Google review
Real Google reviews of VALoansTexas.com, shown word for word. Team members named in reviews were part of Shirley’s team at the time. Read more reviews →
Credentials
- NMLS #336103 — verify on NMLS Consumer Access
- Sr. VP of Veteran Lending, CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC (NMLS #3029, Texas: SML Mortgage Banker Registration)
- Originating since 2003; specializing in VA loans for over 20 years
- Based in Austin, Texas; serving veterans nationwide through CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC
Recognition
- Scotsman Guide Top VA Volume originators, ranked as high as #7 in the nation (2018), most recently in 2024
- Mortgage Executive Magazine Top 1% Mortgage Originators (2014, 2016–2021)
- National Mortgage Professional Best Military Lenders and Originators (2018)
- Texas Veterans Land Board Top Producer (2014, 2018, 2019)
