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Best Mortgage Brokers in Santa Barbara

2023

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Website
1525 State St Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Refinance
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

Susan Bonanno serves Santa Barbara residents as a Finance of America Mortgage-affiliated senior loan advisor. Susan assists clients in locating, qualifying for, and closing a variety of lending options, such as VA loans and reverse mortgages. She discusses the processes involved in applying for private and government-backed lending options with potential borrowers and assists them in weighing the benefits and drawbacks of available options. Susan also helps homeowners refinance their existing mortgages for lower monthly payments or shorter terms.

License Verified:

License: 245778

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (9)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
351 Hitchcock Way, Suite B230, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Gold Coast Lending provides custom mortgage solutions to the communities in Santa Barbara and the nearby areas. Its loan officers guide individuals and families planning to refinance their homes, buy or invest in properties, and refinance rental properties. They analyze loan scenarios for every need and help clients navigate through the mortgage process. The company deploys strategies to streamline the pre-approval process and solution implementation. It is managed by professionals who have a combined experience of over 50 years.

License Verified:

License: 1990994

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Website
6 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
  • Refinance
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

C2 Certified Reverse Mortgage provides its services to borrowers across the Santa Barbara community. Associate Craig Greene is a reverse mortgage loan officer who has been in the industry since 1989. Through his years of industry experience, he has funded over $1 billion in loans for seniors, advisors, and adult children. These options include jumbo loans and reverse mortgages. Greene recommends loans based on each borrower's long-term financial goals. The company is listed as a National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association member.

License Verified:

License: 135622

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1224 Coast Village Circle , Ste 24, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

MacFarlane Team is a Santa Barbara-based mortgage group that deals with the various housing needs of its clients. The company strives to make the home-buying process easy by narrowing it down to seven steps. It offers government-backed loans, as well as different refinancing options. Owner Diana MacFarlane has been in the mortgage industry for more than 25 years and has funded $3 billion in home loans. She was also selected as an ambassador for Donna Karan's Women Who Inspire campaign.

License Verified:

License: 338207

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (21)
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Heather Barrow is a Citibank mortgage consultant who offers loan options in the Santa Barbara metro. She provides brokerage solutions to help clients find financing programs that will match their requirements. She guides individuals about the selection of mortgage programs they can take advantage of, such as interest-only, fixed-rate, adjustable ARM, and graduated payments. The loan officer also offers FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo loan programs. Heather Barrow is a former senior account executive of American Bullion Inc.

License Verified:

License: 909520

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Zillow
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
351 Hitchcock Way, Ste. 230-B, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Vanguard Hard Money brings over 25 years of mortgage experience to the needs of borrowers and Realtors across Santa Barbara and the state of California. As a division of Commercial Loan Express, a direct lending agency, the company arranges loans for its clients, aiming to pair them with a program that fits all their needs. Its products included fix and flip, rehab, private money, and construction loans for either purchasing or refinancing residential and commercial properties.

License Verified:

License: 1990994

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
150 Arboleda Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

Five Star Group deals with clients across Santa Barbara. The company provides fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages for individuals aiming to purchase properties. It also offers solutions that combine the characteristics of a fixed-rate mortgage with an adjustable-rate loan. The company educates clients on the impact of credit reports on their mortgage application process. Jeff McCune, its primary broker, has been working in the lending field for more than three decades. He maintains a website that contains information on current interest rates.

License Verified:

License: 399268

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1215 De La Vina St suite g, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Commercial Loans
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

Dan Marchiando is a mortgage broker and senior loan officer with Paragon Mortgage Group, serving individuals and families in the Santa Barbara metro. He informs clients about the mortgage process and offers them solutions that match their specific circumstances, allowing them to choose loans fit for their needs. He caters to home buyers seeking financing, as well as homeowners who want to refinance their mortgages. Marchiando has more than two decades of experience in the mortgage industry.

License Verified:

License: 337165

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Zillow
4.9 / 5 (13)
Google
5.0 / 5 (11)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1601 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • New Construction
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

SB Mortgage Group provides various financial solutions to borrowers in Santa Barbara. It offers FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages. It also has interest-only and graduated payments programs. Additionally, it provides refinancing for owners of single- and multi-family units, condominiums, townhouses, and manufactured homes. SB Mortgage Group uses online calculators to let clients compare the interest rates of various programs so they can make the best choice suited for their financial needs.

License Verified:

License: 1211574

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Santa Barbara, CA
  • Reverse Mortgages
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Craig Greene is a professional mortgage broker serving clients in the Santa Barbara community. He maintains a network of FHA, portfolio, jumbo, and Fannie Mae lenders that allows him to provide various financing options to his clients. The mortgage products he carries cover single- and multi-family residences and commercial properties. Greene was raised in the real estate business by his father and California Ranch Home pioneer, Paul Greene. He started working as a mortgage loan originator in 1989.

License Verified:

License: 248793

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Zillow
5.0 / 5 (30)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1736 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Direct Mortgage Funding-Santa Barbara delivers government and private solutions to homebuyers in the metro. The company helps low-income to moderate-income families apply for local and state housing programs. Its professionals guide homebuyers in securing options such as reverse or fixed-rate mortgage, refinancing, and jumbo, VA, and conventional loans. Branch manager Guy Rivera is a native of the metro, serving clients in the mortgage industry for over 24 years. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

License Verified:

License: 2035263

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.6 / 5 (27)
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (18)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (15)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1215 De la Vina Street, Suite G, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Refinance
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

For over 30 years, locally owned and operated Paragon Mortgage Group has been representing the goals and visions of Santa Barbara clients to various financial institutions, wholesale lending sources, and boutique mortgage bankers. It offers multiple products that match the needs of prospective homeowners, such as fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans, buydown options, and refinancing programs. They abide by the ethical standards of the California Association of Mortgage Professionals working as your fiduciary, and keeping your best interests at the forefront of the lending process. Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned property owner, all loan options are explored and costs reviewed in order to help guide the client to the best option for them.

License Verified:

License: 240525

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Zillow
4.9 / 5 (13)
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
217 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

McAdams Financial Services caters to borrowers in Santa Barbara. It is a local family business that has been providing residential loan financing solutions since 1982. It offers a wide variety of home loan programs, including interest-only, jumbo, FHA, and fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. Its professionals help people navigate the overwhelming loan process by using their knowledge and experience in the mortgage industry. They also help home buyers find the right mortgage program for their specific situation.

License Verified:

License: 321459

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
7 W. Figueroa Street, Suite 300, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Reverse4u2 caters to the residents of Santa Barbara and its surrounding communities. It helps individuals aged 62 and older apply for various types of reverse mortgages to help them eliminate their debts or pay for a new home, medical expenses, or a dream vacation. These include HECM, jumbo reverse mortgage, HECM for purchase, and HECM line of credit. The company is led by Jeannette Macias, who carries more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

License Verified:

License: 484400

Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    It’s the American dream to buy property, and almost everyone who purchases a home does so with the help of a mortgage broker. It can be intimidating when you don’t know where to begin, what information is necessary, and how to receive a loan. A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between the applicant and the financial institution.


    The mortgage broker’s role includes comparing loan terms across lenders to find applicants the best options, collecting paperwork the financial institution needs to analyze the application, and guiding the buyer through the underwriting and closing processes. Mortgage brokers can significantly simplify the home buying process.

  • Can mortgage brokers work across state lines?

    Yes, mortgage brokers can work across state lines. However, each state has different licensing requirements for mortgage brokers. Customers should ensure their broker can legally work in another state before going across state lines. Lastly, don’t forget the mortgage process is often time-sensitive, so being in different time zones can be problematic.

  • How do mortgage brokers find lenders?

    Mortgage brokers work independently and act as a bridge between the client and the lender. They reach out to several lenders to form a network and build professional relationships with those they work with often. They use lenders who best meet a client's rates and terms, and some lenders only do business through mortgage brokers.  

  • What credit score do mortgage brokers use?

    There are two credit scoring models in the United States: FICO and VantageScore. Mortgage lenders typically prefer to use FICO. However, each credit bureau uses a different version of the FICO score:

    • Experian uses FICO Score 2
    • Equifax uses FICO Score 5
    • TransUnion uses FICO Score 4

  • Do mortgage brokers help with refinancing?

    Yes, mortgage brokers can help with refinancing. Individuals who have a solid credit score will typically go to their bank to refinance their mortgage. However, if you don't have excellent credit, a mortgage broker may be able to secure you a better interest rate than you could get on your own.

    You pay a fee to the mortgage broker, so you'll want to consider this fee versus your savings in your cost-benefit analysis.

  • Can you work with two mortgage brokers?

    You can definitely work with two mortgage brokers. The advantage of using multiple brokers is that you'll have two people reaching out to several lenders to secure the best rate possible. However, you must ensure you provide matching information to all your brokers. If two brokers provide mismatched information about your application to the same lender, it can send off red flags and delay your approval process.

  • Do mortgage brokers get better deals?

    Yes, a mortgage broker should be able to get you a better deal. Mortgage brokers go to several lenders on your behalf and find the one with the best terms and interest rates. However, note that some mortgage brokers have preferred lenders. A broker may bring you their preferred lender's offer, even if it's not the best one; however, this isn't a regular practice.