Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Mortgage Brokers in Santa Monica

Our Recommended Top 14

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Santa Monica Mortgage Brokers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

35

Reviewed

26

Curated

14

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
3130 Wilshire Blvd Suite 100, Santa Monica, CA 90403
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Eric Otfinoski is a mortgage officer who supports Santa Monica individuals and families with their homeownership goals. He guides homebuyers in choosing programs from VA or FHA and products like fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages and jumbo loans. Otfinoski creates financing solutions for clients buying their first homes, trying to manage their mortgage payments, and planning to afford renovations. He is affiliated with the banker Prosperity Home Mortgage and has been working in the industry since 2007.

License Verified:

License: 254462

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
Zillow
4.8 / 5 (25)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (7)
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
11845 West Olympic Blvd Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA 90064
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Mortgage Help Los Angeles assists local borrowers in Santa Monica. The company recommends a variety of loan programs to customers who wish to buy their first home, refinance to take out cash from equity, and invest in a commercial property. These include fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages, as well as conventional, FHA, and jumbo loans. It also helps individuals who are unable to submit income tax returns and those with poor credit scores. Additionally, the firm offers buyout home loans for divorcing spouses.

License Verified:

License: 262951

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

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
401 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Since 2005, Evoque Lending has been providing hard money loans to homebuyers and real estate investors in Santa Monica. It offers conventional, ARM, jumbo, private money, and government-sponsored loans. It selects loan products with interest rates, terms, and closing costs that match clients' financial conditions and objectives. The mortgage lender blends technology and customer service through its end-to-end encrypted online submissions and personalized consultations. Its lending specialists strive to obtain same-day loan approval and funding in 10 days.

License Verified:

License: 337415

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
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (41)
Facebook
4.0 / 5 (13)
Google
4.0 / 5 (8)

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.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Santa Monica, CA
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Secure Funding Group is a full-service mortgage brokerage firm that caters to individuals and families in Santa Monica and the rest of California. It offers various loan products to first-time and experienced homebuyers, including FHA and VA loans. It also accommodates applications for jumbo loans or those loans that exceed the FHA limits. The company, based in Chula Vista, has been in business for more than 20 years and has served more than 11,000 clients.

License Verified:

License: 329246

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.
4.2
Facebook
4.2 / 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
6475 Pacific Coast Highway #250, Long Beach, CA 90803
  • Refinance
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

Elite Realtors delivers mortgage broker services to clients living in Santa Monica. The company has a partnership with C2 Financial Corp. and has access to more than 100 lenders. Its products include reverse mortgages for elderly homebuyers and government loans fit for purchasers with less favorable credit history. The team works with individuals who are looking into their first home and seasoned investors. Elite Realtors is a full-service real estate venture that also handles home valuation and listing tasks.

License Verified:

License: 1173805

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 (30)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (16)

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
100 Wilshire Blvd Ste 700, Santa Monica, CA 90401
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Westside Mortgage Group provides home loan brokerage services to residents of Santa Monica and nearby areas. It collaborates with a wide range of lenders and bankers to provide financing for jumbo, VA, and FHA loans, as well as interest-only and adjustable-rate mortgages. With the Ez Qualifier program, it also assists self-employed clients. The mortgage broker has helped 339 clients obtain mortgage approval. Broker-owner Brian Guth has over two decades of experience in real estate investing and finance.

License Verified:

License: 351173

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 (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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
11601 Wilshire Blvd, STE 500, Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Sunset Lending & Realty is a Los Angeles-based business that deals with clients across Santa Monica. It provides a variety of mortgage products, ranging from FHA and VA loans to adjustable-rate programs. The company also offers reverse mortgages, a way for senior homeowners to transform a part of their home's equity into cash. It maintains a website that contains tools like mortgage calculators to guide clients with their decision-making. One of the company's team members, Paul Anyankor, holds a master's degree in public administration.

License Verified:

License: 1622845

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 (86)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (13)

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
730 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
  • Multi-Family Homes
  • Refinance
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

CHER is a mortgage brokerage and real estate company that offers simple and affordable homeownership loan options and co-ownership programs for residents of Santa Monica. The business gives low- to middle-income renters the opportunity to become co-owners and accumulate equity. Its loan alternatives include Freddie Mac HomeOne mortgages, CalHFA forgiving loans, and government-backed FHA loans. CHER also links lenders, investors, brokers, and first-time homebuyers; provides MLS data feeds for thousands of houses; and offers direct client service.

License Verified:

License: 1898741

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 (14)

Website
1575 Westwood Blvd. Suite 201, Los Angeles, CA 90024
  • Refinance
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

City Bridge Loan is a mortgage brokerage firm that serves borrowers in Santa Monica and nearby areas. It offers home mortgage programs based on current industry rates and the financial situation of each client. It specializes in hard money loans for immediate cash flow, also managing funds for private investments and pension plans. City Bridge Loan is owned and operated by Shawn Rabban, a loan officer and real estate broker with over 20 years of experience.

License Verified:

License: 298861

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
11845 West Olympic Blvd. Suite 830, Los Angeles, CA 90064
  • Commercial Loans

Why choose this provider?

Vault Mortgage Group, a division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, serves clientele in Santa Monica and neighboring regions. Its home loan specialists advise and recommend the mortgage refinancing program for clients based on their current finances and history records. They address the mortgage needs of first-time and seasoned homebuyers and those planning to renovate their properties and fund their active loans. Vault Mortgage Group's available loan programs are FHA, VA, jumbo, and 15- or 30-year fixed rate mortgages.

License Verified:

License: 526846

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.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (203)
Zillow
5.0 / 5 (139)
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (33)

(+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
10200 Venice Blvd #201, Culver City, CA 90232
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Terranova Real Estate Group is a Culver City-based business that caters to sellers, buyers, and investors in Santa Monica and its surrounding areas. It helps clients finance their homes by providing them with a wide variety of lending options. These include conventional, VA, USDA, and FHA loans. Its team members also assist seniors aged 62 and older in applying for a reverse mortgage loan. Additionally, the company handles real estate transactions involving condominiums, townhouses, and single-family units.

License Verified:

License: 2324284

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 (12)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

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
11677 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 206, Los Angeles, CA 90049
  • Refinance

Why choose this provider?

Empyrean Funding and Management is a mortgage lending company serving customers in the Santa Monica area. Its representatives match clients with the right loan and guide them in the mortgage process. In addition, its agents also ensure each loan closes on time. The company offers services to residential and commercial clients. Its loan options include fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans. P. Jacob Yadegar, the company’s founder, has been in the real estate business for over 20 years.

License Verified:

License: 293626

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.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
12400 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

Mortgage Capital Partners offers various financial solutions to borrowers in Santa Monica. It provides FRMs with 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, and 30-year terms and ARMs with three, five, seven, and 10-year periods. It likewise has FHA, interest-only, and self-employed borrower loans as well as second and reverse mortgages. Mortgage Capital Partners underwrites all of its mortgage products and employs a team of officers, each with an average of 20 years of experience, who work together and collaboratively for its clients.

License Verified:

License: 239902

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 (567)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (39)
Google
5.0 / 5 (8)

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.
2.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
12400 Ventura Blvd Suite 222, Studio City, CA 91604
  • New Construction

Why choose this provider?

Reverse Your Thinking caters to the Santa Monica metro. Mathius Gertz, the firm's Principal Broker, assists homeowners in applying for HELOC, HECM, and Jumbo reverse mortgage loans. Mathius, who has been in the industry since 1990, also received the Certified Divorce Lending Professional designation, allowing him to handle divorce mortgage planning. A previous client praised Mathius for working diligently to obtain a reverse mortgage for their father-in-law, which allowed him to remain in his home while receiving home care.

License Verified:

License: 1125159

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 (15)
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
––

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.