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2024

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Best Mortgage Brokers in Lake Forest, CA

Our Recommended Top 13

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 Lake Forest Mortgage Brokers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

32Reviewed

24Curated

13Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

9891 Irvine Center Dr., Ste. 200, Irvine, CA 92618
WebsiteLicense: 1636298

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (68)
Yelp
5.0 (20)
Facebook
5.0 (18)

Why choose this provider?

Oso Creek Mortgage is a direct lender offering residential and commercial solutions to property buyers in Lake Forest. With its network of over 50 wholesalers, it helps self-employed clients who were not able to secure mortgage financing from banks. Financial advisor Mark Stillman guides home buyers in applying for CalHFA, CHADAP, and HARP programs, reverse mortgages, and alternative-income loans. Stillman has been operating the company since 2003 and delivers solutions for commercial property investors with stated incomes.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

3100 W Ray Rd, 201, Lake Forest, CA 85226
WebsiteLicense: 1252052

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Don Dedo is a loan officer at Nexa Mortgage, serving Lake Forest residents and those from nearby areas. He matches borrowers with potential lenders and seeks out mortgage terms tailored to clients' financial resources and interest-rate needs. In addition, Don provides financial advice based on market conditions and changes in mortgage programs. Nexa Mortgage is a brokerage that offers an online loan application and approval process, custom digital quotes, and mortgage calculators to help clients project their potential expenses.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

26632 Towne Centre Dr Suite 300, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
WebsiteLicense: 153213

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Jason Delaney is a mortgage consultant who caters to Haven West Mortgage clients from areas throughout Lake Forest. He and his staff possess a diverse range of custom loan options, from jumbo mortgages and conventional plans to cash-out refinancing programs, that match the needs and income capabilities of homebuyers. They calculate the coverage and term of each option by drawing upon assessments of property values and interest rates. They also have a variety of comprehensive financial products that cover property acquisitions for real estate investors.

  • New Construction

15615 Alton Pkwy #450, Irvine, CA 92618
WebsiteLicense: 856820

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (76)
Yelp
5.0 (36)
Facebook
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Dan the Man for Mortgages has been serving buyers and investors in and around Lake Forest since 2009. It offers residential mortgage assistance to help families and individuals purchase their dream properties. The company processes a wide selection of mortgage programs, such as conventional, jumbo, interest-only, foreign national, and FHA loans. It also provides reverse mortgage, bank statement, self-employed, and hard money loan options. Founder Dan Stone has been in the mortgage services industry for over two decades.

  • Refinance

9891 Irvine Center Drive Suite 190, Irvine, CA 92618
WebsiteLicense: 284615

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (91)
Facebook
5.0 (85)

Why choose this provider?

Charter Pacific Lending Corp. lists the Lake Forest metro as one of its service areas. It guides clients who are buying their first or investment homes, looking for vacation properties, or moving to a bigger house. Its loan professionals, led by founder Babak Moghaddam, assist borrowers in refinancing and seniors in securing reverse mortgages. Additionally, they offer the RateWatch service, which keeps buyers informed of market financial changes. Moghaddam has been serving the homeownership needs of the community for over 20 years.

  • Refinance

25182 Miles Avenue, Lake Forest, CA 92630
WebsiteLicense: 353699

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (55)

Why choose this provider?

LoansDirect is a mortgage broker company founded in 2003 that offers its services to clients in Lake Forest. It aims to find rates, services, and options for a home by creating a loan package best suited for its clients' needs. The company's loans and program include products like purchase, no-cost refinancing, investor line of credit, cash-out refinancing, and hard money loans. Its owner Rob Innerarity is a mortgage broker whose areas of expertise include conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, debt consolidation, and HARP programs.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

25531 Commercentre Drive Suite 250, Lake Forest, CA 92630
WebsiteLicense: 133519

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (328)
Facebook
4.7 (30)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Lender.com offers a variety of financial solutions to borrowers and mortgage brokers in Lake Forest. It offers purchase, refinance, bridge and rehab, and short-term and long-term rental loans. The team provides asset-based, self-employed, and multi-family unit home programs as well as fix and flip financing. QM, non-QM, and theNada options are also available for brokers. Aaron Iverson, the company president, has over 20 years of experience in the industry and has helped fund over $10.5 billion in loans.

  • Refinance

28181 Tinajo, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
WebsiteLicense: 125152

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Zillow
5.0 (70)
Google
5.0 (46)

Why choose this provider?

Integrated Lending Group provides mortgage products to clients in the Lake Forest community. It offers a diverse selection of home purchase loan programs, including government and jumbo loans for first-time home buyers and manufactured homes. It assists with mortgage refinancing to take cash out or to change the loan rates and terms for future savings. Integrated Lending Group was founded in 2003 by brothers Anthony and Nick Ingoglia, who started their careers in the mortgage industry in the 1990s.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

26180 Enterprise Way #200B, Lake Forest, CA 92630
WebsiteLicense: 1875715

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (38)
Yelp
5.0 (26)

Why choose this provider?

Synergy Lending delivers simplified home purchasing and refinancing services in Lake Forest and the surrounding areas. The company helps the community achieve its homeownership goals by offering programs like ARM, FRM, reverse mortgages, and VA, FHA, or refinancing loans. Its team uses technology, such as interactive calculators and The Loanzify App, to help clients evaluate their options, make sound decisions, and apply for mortgages. Synergy Lending has already funded loans totaling more than $150 million.

  • Refinance

100 Spectrum Center Dr Ste 150, Irvine, CA 92618
WebsiteLicense: 1838

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (783)
Yelp
4.5 (346)
Zillow
5.0 (43)

Why choose this provider?

Watermark Home Loans serves the real estate needs of buyers and investors in and around Lake Forest. It offers a variety of mortgage solutions to help individuals and families acquire their dream residential properties. The company processes different mortgage programs, including FHA, USDA, VA, non-QM, jumbo, and conventional loans. Its team also assists borrowers in refinancing their loans to lower their interest rates and monthly payments. Watermark Home Loans has been in operation for over 15 years.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

2 South Pointe, Suite 110, Lake Forest, CA 92630
WebsiteLicense: 244283

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (111)
Zillow
5.0 (96)
Yelp
5.0 (46)

Why choose this provider?

Alliance West Mortgage has been providing financial services to clients in Lake Forest since 2009. The business has mortgage consultants who assist first-time home buyers or customers looking for investment properties in finding the right loan program. It also offers refinancing options with lower monthly payments or converting home equity to cash to pay off high-interest debts. Alliance West Mortgage aims to help clients get the right loan option by educating and guiding them through the entire process.

  • Multi-Family Loans

23101 Lake Center drive #355,, Lake Forest, CA 92630
WebsiteLicense: 365033

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (95)
Facebook
5.0 (13)
Zillow
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

First Rate Lending & Real Estate Solutions provides mortgage services to individuals and families across Lake Forest and the nearby communities. It guides first-time home buyers and experienced real estate investors in choosing loan options, such as VA and FHA, that suit their financial goals. It also caters to clients wishing to apply for home loans with five- to 30-year terms to consolidate or pay off their debts. Jeff Kutnick, the company's president, has been in the industry for over 15 years.

  • Refinance

23172 Plaza Pointe Dr. Suite 195, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
WebsiteLicense: 397815

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (146)
Facebook
5.0 (56)
Yelp
4.5 (10)

Why choose this provider?

The Park Place Real Estate Company provides various mortgage options to prospective home buyers and real estate investors in Lake Forest. Its team addresses the long-term purchase and refinancing needs and goals of applicants following a holistic analysis of their current loans, financial situations, and outstanding debts. Its selection of choices includes HELC improvement loans, stand-alone second mortgages, and short-term refinancing plans. It also helps clients adjust their prospects using information gained from routine evaluations of local mortgage rates and market trends.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

Compare our Top Mortgage Brokers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Oso Creek Mortgage
9891 Irvine Center Dr., Ste. 200, Irvine, CA 92618
Don Dedo
3100 W Ray Rd, 201, Lake Forest, CA 85226
Jason Delaney
26632 Towne Centre Dr Suite 300, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
Dan the Man for Mortgages
15615 Alton Pkwy #450, Irvine, CA 92618
Charter Pacific Lending Corp.
9891 Irvine Center Drive Suite 190, Irvine, CA 92618
LoansDirect
25182 Miles Avenue, Lake Forest, CA 92630
The Lender.com
25531 Commercentre Drive Suite 250, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Integrated Lending Group
28181 Tinajo, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Synergy Lending
26180 Enterprise Way #200B, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Watermark Home Loans
100 Spectrum Center Dr Ste 150, Irvine, CA 92618
Alliance West Mortgage
2 South Pointe, Suite 110, Lake Forest, CA 92630
First Rate Lending & Real Estate Solutions
23101 Lake Center drive #355,, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Park Place Real Estate Company
23172 Plaza Pointe Dr. Suite 195, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

FAQs

  • 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.