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!

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!:)

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 purchased my home in Irvine, CA at an interest rate of 6% in October 2022. Everyone knows that…read morerates increased to between 6.8% and 7.5% from 2023 to 2024. The Federal Reserve cut the rate by 0.5 percentage points on September 18, 2024. My friend informed me that the refinance rate dropped below 6%. I began searching for a new deal to refinance my primary home and submitted some requests with my property and personal information online. At the end of September, Hugo at the Loan Exchange texted me about a great deal. He mentioned that since my credit score was over 800, I qualified for a 5.625% APR with free refinance (0 points, $0 lender fees, and $0 third-party fees). That's exactly what I wanted. The refinance process went smoothly, and my loan was finally funded. If rates continue to decline in 2025 and 2026, I will definitely contact Hugo to arrange another free refinance. I highly recommend Hugo as a capable and professional loan officer.

I recently just refinanced my mortgage with Loan Exchange. I…read moreworked with Daniel Chau. I am a 34 years Real Estate as well as 10 years as a loan processor. My expectations are set very high with my experience and how I managed my files. When I first spoke with Daniel I let him know that I normally work with a person that I have had many wonderful experiences with. I was very concerned about trying someone new. Daniel asked me to give him a try. I decided to and I am so happy I did. Daniel met every expectations that I had. He always answered my questions and took the time to explain different scenarios. He answered my emails and phone calls every time. Even know sometimes I would call or email him on the weekends. He was in the office or on his cell he was there for me. Since, I am in the business I tend to want to mico manage. I didn't have a do that with Daniel. I plan on doing a home equity loan with Daniel as well as another refinance. I highly recommend giving Daniel a try if you want a smooth transaction. Everything Daniel promised me to expect he delivered. I also would like to add that after the loan closed. I received a phone call from Angela from customer support to make sure my experience went well working with Loan Exchange. I appreciate the fact that they do a follow-up.

Simply the best. Most responsive and reliable. She will get things done for you asap. Most…read moreprofessional. We will ask her to help us with our future projects.

Buying a home is not easy. It can be hard to find a good team of people to help you with the…read moreprocess and I'm so glad that Laura was one of the people on my team. She was helpful, supportive, encouraging, and positive throughout my home buying journey. She left no question unanswered and went above and beyond overall. I can't wait for the opportunity to work with her again in the future!

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.

Full circle home loans was an absolute joy to work with. The transition of buying a home was so…read moresmooth and easy. My wife and I would definitely use there services on our next home. Thanks everyone at Full circle.

The only mortgage lender I would use from here on out. Seth is honest, knowledgeable, and truly…read morecares for his customers. He spoke to me about some concerns about the deal to make sure I was aware, and I don't think any other lender would have done that because they would just want the deal. They have competitive interest rates and even matched the fees I quoted. His team, Summer and Bernie, were organized, communicative, and so quick that we were able to close in 21 days. Can't thank them enough.

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.

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!

I recently worked with Rapid One Lending to secure a loan, and the entire process was smooth,…read moreprofessional, and surprisingly quick. From the first call to closing, their team made me feel confident and informed every step of the way. Communication was clear, they answered every question promptly, and there were no hidden surprises, just honest guidance and great service. What really stood out was how efficient and transparent they were. The approval came through faster than I expected, and they helped tailor the loan to fit exactly what I needed. You can tell they truly care about their clients and take pride in making things easy and stress-free. If you're looking for a lending company that combines speed, integrity, and genuine customer care, I highly recommend Rapid One Lending. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them again!

From the owner: Rapid One Lending, our mission is to accelerate the mortgage process with speed, technology, and…read moretransparency. Like a trusted pit crew, we work tirelessly to ensure a seamless, efficient, and stress-free experience for our clients. From start to finish, we provide the right mortgage solutions tailored to individual needs while offering 24/7 loan status updates for complete transparency. Our commitment is to simplify the process, save time, and help our customers cross the finish line with confidence.

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.