I was referred to Jon Altizer through a neighbor who recently purchased a new home in Downer's Grove (our purchase was in Chicago). Our transaction had a number of challenges (self-employment, bank owned property, new job, etc.), but Jon and his team (CJ, Rick, Jenna, and Linda) helped us through the process and we ultimately closed on our new house in only three weeks, only days after Christmas. Jon and his team also acted as a sort of counselor, putting me at ease and assuring me that everything was going smoothly and was on track to an on-time closing. Did I mention that we got an awesome interest rate without having to pay any points? I highly recommend them and would definitely use them again! read more

Jon Altizer was terrible to deal with. His wife Andrea was just as bad. They crossed the line several times eventually I went another loan officer who was much more professional and responded to my emails and calls. Andrea kept telling me she could not read or see my paperwork properly after I scanning it. I work in airport job where security is at its highest and had sent the exact same paperwork to the FBI and government and they had no problem seeing it. Do not go with these people. There appraisal (no refund) was more expensive than the company I went with plus their rates were higher. read more

Don't ask more than one question in an email, as you will get only one question answered at a time. I can show several examples of this with screenshots from emails CJ treats as though they're multiple choice. I am an Illinois teacher who receives an annual pension statement. Andrea, a member of this group, insisted upon my getting a quarterly pension report. I told her such a thing didn't exist. She insisted she needed the non-existent document, so I called the Teacher's Retirement System of Illinois. They do not ever issue quarterly statements, and never have done so. Apparently, this group has never before given a mortgage to an Illinois teacher. Because Andrea didn't believe me, and wasn't happy with my frustration at her lack of knowledge, so she sent in her husband Jon to mansplain the reason they need this information. Still, I can't produce a document that doesn't exist. Also, his communication of his knowledge of my loan application was full of erroneous information. I also found that this group crossed the line when looking at a $1000 gift from my parents that I used as earnest money. They wanted my parents to provide personal account information, such as bank account # and two months worth of banking statements, to prove the money was a gift and not a loan. Maybe you can tell me this: why is a legal document we all signed saying it was a gift not suffice? How can the difference between a gift and loan be determined from a banking statement??? Incidentally, I'd received a small gift from them on my previous mortgage, and the mortgage broker I worked with at that time needed only the letter--not intrusive, personal, financial information. After expressing my displeasure at their tone and lack of competence, mansplainer Jon wrote in his condescending tone that the "good news" was that they would not be processing my loan, so I can work with someone who can "better handle my concerns." He felt the need to add that "most Americans work WITH their lender" to make sure the process goes smoothly. Wow. How dare I question the people that I'M PAYING TO WORK FOR ME?!?! Clearly, this group does not like being questioned, and would rather lose someone the home they've purchased than deal with any criticism. They claim they'll refund the money for my appraisal, but clearly I'm not getting it back as quickly as they debited it from my account. I've already found a new broker from whom I've received a rate at .25% better and he worked out a way for me to put down less money without increasing my payment. Perhaps all the fuss with GR was a blessing in disguise!! read more