If Mamba Mentality was a loan officer, her name would be Christina Cho…read more My fiancé and I discovered the dream of a first home and within that same week of expressing our interest, Christina and her team got us pre-approved and equipped with the knowledge we needed to confidently move forward with the financial component of buying a home. From the get go, Christina had our best interests in mind, making sure to call and check in with us at key points throughout the loan process and ensure that we actually understood all that we were moving forward with. More importantly, when we did have questions or concerns, Christina carved out the time to help get us caught up to speed. Despite the two major end of year holidays, Christina's decisiveness and practicality combined with the precise foresight by her team - Tiffany and Ann - allowed us to steamroll through loan process. We went from expressing our interest in a home without any prior knowledge to the process or having been pre-approved to, within 30 days, receiving our keys to our new place. If you're serious about buying a home and can take care of business, Christina and her team will see you through the finish line.

I am incredibly grateful to Christina Cho and her team at Lock & Key for guiding us through both…read moreour first home purchase and, most recently, our refinancing. From start to finish, they supported us every step of the way--negotiating the best possible deals and breaking down complicated terminology and processes so we could make informed decisions with confidence. They were always available to answer our questions and even made time during the Christmas holidays to help us navigate some difficult decisions, which truly meant a lot to us. A special shout-out to Ann, who was amazing and consistently helped us work through logistical challenges. We are so thankful for the dedication, professionalism, and care from this entire team. Highly recommend!

Honestly, my refinance started off pretty stressful, but Angel Chavez completely turned things…read morearound. He stepped in and took over my loan and from that point on, things felt much more manageable. He was always clear, easy to talk to, and kept me in the loop. He also made sure the original terms I was quoted were honored, which I really appreciated given how much rates were changing at the time. We closed on time and everything went smoothly in the end. I'd definitely recommend working with him. I'm really grateful for his help and would absolutely recommend him.

​Caution: Non-Standard "Teaser" Rates & Bait-and-Switch Tactics…read more​I had a very concerning experience with Optimum First Mortgage. I was initially quoted a highly specific interest rate of 5.123% (a non-standard figure in this industry). Based on this quote, I submitted my sensitive financial documents and authorized a hard credit pull. ​Once they had my data, the rate was significantly increased. When I questioned this, the Sales Manager (James) admitted in writing that the original quote was based on "incorrect input assumptions" and was a "human error." This feels like a classic bait-and-switch: lure the borrower in with an unrealistic rate to harvest their data and credit authorization, then claim "clerical error" to move the price. ​I have officially withdrawn my application and filed formal complaints with the CFPB and the California DFPI regarding these deceptive practices. If you are shopping here, be extremely wary of any quote that seems too good to be true--it likely is. UPDATE TO RESPONSE: Nice try shifting the blame. The data I provided didn't change, but your numbers did. You provided a correct quote, then dangled a fake 5.123% rate to get me to apply, then 'switched' back to the higher rate after harvesting my data. Your Sales Manager already admitted the error was on YOUR end, yet here you are publicly blaming me. This is exactly why I've filed formal complaints with federal and state regulators (CFPB and DFPI). Prospective borrowers: if they quote you a weird number like 5.123%, run. They are just 'capturing the lead' with a rate that doesn't exist.

A huge huge huge thank you to Carrington (and specifically to the awsome Ira) who approved me for a…read moremortgage on the house I've rented for the last 12 years. My landlady finally decided she was ready to sell and gave me the first chance at the house - but practically at the last minute. Scrambling to find a mortgage before my lease ran out, jumping through all the hoops, gathering all the paperwork (102 separate items - I counted), and wondering if we were going to make it was hugely stressful. Ira did a fantastic job of keeping everything on track, keeping me informed, and talking me off the ledge a few times. :) No, seriously, I can't say enough good about the company. As a first time homebuyer, there was so much I didn't know and so many things to be confused and worried about. Everyone I spoke to at Carrington took the time to explain things to me and make sure I knew what was going on at every step of the process. We closed this past Friday and I couldn't be more thrilled knowing that my house is now TRULY mine.

One of the biggest waste of time I have ever experienced from a company claiming to be…read more"professional". I'm sure people have had great results but after 3 years, I did not and wasted upwards of $15,000 on false promises and hopes, they will tell you to wait for this answer pay for this result "if you clear this ypure 100% approved". The first person who took my application was fired, and for months, I didn't hear back lol then two people called me and said I would be rushed through the process as they felt bad. Of course, I did not have credit that AAA banks would invest in due to the pandemic. Hence, when carrington claimed 500 credit score I was excited since the house was a family house and CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP but guess what, their "underwriters" had this excuse and that excuse this paper and that paper lol I filled out the application once every 3 months (ive never bought a house before so I didnt know) they wouldn't call so I had to bug them then they would give credit advise that hurt me not help me lol pay this off and pay that off THEN they would tell me it didnt work lol they are a joke 100% joke when someone says $225,000 on a 4 time appraised house at $325,000 was a no go then I don't know what is. 3 of the appraisers read all the emails and said I should report them to the VA and even speak with legal counsel which I have. I could go on for days on how bad this was but whats the point in today's world there's no room for the littleman.

I can't thank Giving Tree Lending enough, especially Christine, for her incredible support. We…read moreencountered a very tricky HOA issue during our closing process that could have delayed everything. Christine stepped in, communicated proactively with all parties, and made sure we stayed on track. Her expertise and dedication are the reasons we were able to close so quickly. Highly recommended. https://www.experience.com/reviews/christine-15948352

My husband and I purchased our first home with The Giving Tree. We went through the process, we…read morewere extremely satisfied with their excellent work and quick responsiveness.  Specifically, Mortgage loan originator Romi Chun handled everything swiftly while providing me with detailed explanations every time. CEO Peter Kim was also a very passionate leader who personally conducted a presentation and explained everything in detail before the final CD signature. Furthermore, despite a shutdown issue occurring during the contract process, they managed to complete the work successfully without any negative impact. Thank you so much for genuinely celebrating our first home purchase with us, and a huge thank you to Giving Tree Company for all your hard work in helping us throughout the process!! 피터님&로미님, 다시 한 번 감사드려요!:)

Working with Vivienne and Michelle throughout our loan approval process was great and we would…read moreabsolutely recommend them for your next home loan. We were initially paired with another loan officer from another company and we were frustrated with their lack of transparency and communication style. Vivienne, on the other hand, was super helpful, transparent, and great with her communication. We are so happy that Vivienne was able to step-in so quickly and was able to save us over $7k right from the first loan estimate. As first-time home buyers, we are very grateful for Vivienne's help navigating us through this loan process.

We had an excellent experience working with Vivienne throughout the purchase of our home. From…read morestart to finish, she was responsive, knowledgeable, and incredibly organized, which made a complex process feel much more manageable. Vivienne took the time to clearly explain our options, helped us secure a competitive rate, and stayed on top of every detail to keep things moving forward--especially when unexpected challenges came up close to closing. Her communication was outstanding--she was consistently prompt and even responded outside of normal working hours, which gave us a lot of confidence and peace of mind during a stressful time. What stood out most was her ability to problem-solve quickly and advocate for us when timing became critical. We truly appreciated her professionalism, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond to get us to the finish line. We would absolutely recommend Vivienne to anyone looking for a reliable, responsive, and highly capable lending partner.

Julie and her team are hands down the best. From the very beginning, they were incredibly…read moreresponsive, easy to approach, and made us feel completely comfortable discussing our budget and finances. There were many times we felt like we were asking "silly" questions because of all the mortgage jargon, but her team always took the time to explain everything clearly and made the process feel simple. Beyond their great communication, Julie guided us through a fast 21-day escrow that successfully closed--something we truly appreciated. This team doesn't mess around; they genuinely work in your best interest and go above and beyond to get the best outcome. Even after closing on our home, Julie continues to be just as responsive and helpful, answering our questions and proactively guiding us as we start thinking about refinancing. The Aragon Lending Team is always three steps ahead. It was such a pleasure working with this team during one of the biggest milestones of our lives. Thank you all so much!

Julie Aragon and her team are simply exceptional. I've had the opportunity to work with Julie on…read moremultiple transactions, and every single time I walk away impressed, not just by the results, but by how she gets there. Her professionalism is top-tier, but what really sets her apart is the way she builds relationships. Julie brings a rare mix of creativity, energy, and genuine care to her clients. People don't just feel "handled"...they feel understood, supported, and confidently guided through what can be a very complex process. She's honest, communicative, and relentlessly hardworking. You always know where things stand, and you always feel like you have a true advocate in your corner. If you're a first-time buyer, especially, Julie is a no-brainer. She has the ability to simplify the process, remove the stress, and actually make it an enjoyable experience.

Are you just coming across Paul for the first time ? Then I would say you are in amazing hands…read more Paul is straight forward and shows you everything up front so you know what you are looking at. This is the 3rd I think time I have used Paul we were able to close in two weeks ! That is a turn around you just don't see. When gathering documents and any items needed to purchase a house he is on it to make sure you gather everything needed and whatever the underwriting needs. Thank you Paul again I know I'll use you in the future. The Wise Family.

Paul helped us close on our first house in just 2 weeks. His guidance, responsiveness, and…read moreattention to detail made a stressful process feel smooth and manageable. We found Paul after submitting a request online for mortgage quotes from several brokers. It was a Sunday night so we didn't expect any responses until Monday morning, but Paul replied immediately to our inquiry. He remained responsive and prompt the entire time we worked with him. When you're making offers on houses and especially when you're looking to close on a home, you want a loan officer who works fast and is readily available like Paul. We actually vetted several other mortgage brokers before finding Paul, but did not feel that they were forthcoming or transparent. When you're looking for someone to help you get the best deal on a loan and potentially save you thousands of dollars, you want to feel that you can trust them to have your financial interests in mind. Paul was honest about rates, costs, and what we qualified for. He guided us on our best options while also never being pushy - all while also helping us get a better rate and lower closing costs than competitors. From the early rate discussions to the final steps of funding, Paul was always on top of everything and made sure we understood what to expect at each stage. We especially appreciated how patient he was with our questions and how proactive he was in helping us meet every deadline. We've been recommending him to friends and family and will happily work with him again when it's time to refinance.

We were first time buyer and Mina held out hands the whole way through. She helped us make a very…read morecompetitive offer and close even earlier than anticipated. She was a calming presence in a very hectic process. We are very grateful.

Mina was absolutely amazing to work with. We were referred to her by our agent, which turned out to…read morebe one of the best decisions we made. From our very first call, we were extremely impressed with her knowledge and professionalism. She took the time to truly get to know us and understand our homebuying goals. As first-time homebuyers, the process was entirely new and, at times, overwhelming. However, Mina has a calming and reassuring presence that helped alleviate many of our concerns. She was able to help us close on a very tight timeline, which made our offer stand out. She also turned around mortgage scenarios quickly for multiple properties we were interested in, with varying financing options--sometimes even multiple times in a single day. Every time we spoke with her, she was transparent about the process and clearly communicated next steps. Thanks to her diligence, she was able to lock in our rate just before they increased significantly, which we are very grateful for. She was always available when we needed her, and we truly could not have asked for a better lending partner. We look forward to maintaining our relationship in the years ahead as we settle into our new home.

I'm pleased to write another review for CLS Financial, specifically for Brad Fish. This is my…read moresecond time working with Brad, and he makes the entire process from offers to escrow incredibly smooth and efficient. His exceptional communication skills and calm demeanor are comforting during the stressful experience of making offers and going through escrow. Brad's stellar reputation in the Long Beach community is well deserved. I highly recommend his services.

My wife and I just closed on our fist home and truly couldn't have done it without Brad Fish and…read morehis team. He is extremely professional and will do what is needed to best serve his client's needs. I couldn't recommend him more. We always felt that we were in good hands.

Kelvin Thai, David Bui, and the rest of the Namy team, are the epitome of care and professionalism…read more My wife and her mom had the unfortunate task of handling the final affairs of a beloved family member. Kelvin and David showed empathy and patience while guiding our family through each step of the process. They answered all questions clearly and the communication was consistent and effective. We are very grateful for their assistance during a difficult time. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the good people at Namy Inc. as they assist our family with purchasing a home. I would highly recommend this dedicated company to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. Thank you for everything!

My family and I just closed on our home, and we are extremely satisfied with the service provided…read moreby Namy. Throughout the entire process, Ngoc and Kelvin were incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and professional. * They explained everything clearly and guided us step-by-step * Always followed up on paperwork and helped us solve issues quickly * Patiently answered all of our questions, even the small ones * Recommended the best loan options that fit our financial situation * Honest, reliable, and truly cared about our best interests Thanks to their dedication, a normally stressful home-buying process became much smoother and worry-free for us. We are very grateful for all their hard work. I highly recommend Namy, especially Ngoc and Kelvin, to anyone looking to buy a home. You will be in very good hands!