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2024

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Best Mortgage Brokers in Merced, CA

Our Recommended Top 10

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

29Reviewed

21Curated

10Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

1609 Howard Road, Madera, CA 93637
WebsiteLicense: 2427

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (257)
Facebook
5.0 (248)

Why choose this provider?

ZABE Mortgage Group serves homebuyers in Merced. The company takes a more thorough and thoughtful approach to homeownership by educating its clients and becoming a timely resource on home loans. It offers conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, and down payment assistance mortgages. Its mortgage brokers also provide refinance programs like cash-out and FHA streamline refinance, which allow borrowers to reduce monthly payments, shorten loan terms, or consolidate high-interest debt. The company has served thousands of families since its inception in 1997.

  • Refinance

3507 Tully Road, Suite 20, Modesto, CA 95356
WebsiteLicense: 190260

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (57)
Facebook
4.9 (45)

Why choose this provider?

Joshua Dobson is a branch manager that serves clients throughout Merced. He works with BluPrint Home Loans to deliver solutions for first-time homebuyers and real estate investors, including programs insured or guaranteed by the USDA, FHA, and VA. Dobson educates them on how the mortgage pre-approval process affects their credit scores. He also works with property owners seeking to refinance their loans. He has experience assisting clients in refinancing their mortgages multiple times. Dobson holds a Certified Mortgage Advisor designation from MBS Highway.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

3430 Tully Rd., Suite. 46, Modesto, CA 95350
WebsiteLicense: 235659

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (15)
Yelp
4.5 (11)
Google
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Carrollton Mortgage is a family-owned and family-operated business that has been catering to the home purchasing and refinancing goals of residents in Merced since 1989. Its mortgage experts advise customers on their home-buying plans and walk them through every part of the loan process, including underwriting, document drawing, and closing. The company recommends various programs suitable for clients' needs, such as conventional, FHA, jumbo, VA, and farm loans. It also offers reverse mortgages for senior citizens.

  • Refinance

1156 Scenic Drive Suite 200, Modesto, CA 95350
WebsiteLicense: 252939

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (40)
Google
4.8 (16)

Why choose this provider?

Scenic Oaks Funding is a local mortgage banker offering solutions to the homeownership dreams of the Merced community. It guides homebuyers and refinancing borrowers in considering their finances, needs, and credit history. It creates customized programs for first-time homebuyers, investors, vacation property buyers, and veterans. Its team of loan professionals assists clients throughout the financing process, from mortgage analysis and application submission to closing. Scenic Oaks Funding has been serving Californians for more than 20 years.

  • Refinance

324 W. Yosemite Ave., Madera, CA 93637
WebsiteLicense: 297030

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Zillow
5.0 (34)
Facebook
4.9 (21)

Why choose this provider?

Jose Sahagun is a senior loan officer who operates under Big Valley Mortgage. He serves borrowers in Merced and across California, whether looking at a first-time home purchase, refinance, or debt consolidation options. He finds programs that match customers’ financial situations, including jumbo, VA, FHA 203k, fixed-rate, and adjustable-rate loans. Additional products offered are hybrid ARMs and HARP refinance for homeowners with an outstanding Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae mortgage. Sahagun manages a team of over 10 home loan specialists to provide services to clients.

  • Refinance

1127 13TH ST, Suite A, Modesto, CA 95354
WebsiteLicense: 1629802

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (46)

Why choose this provider?

NorCal Mortgage serves individuals throughout Merced and the neighboring areas. The company serves assists first-time homebuyers in choosing loan programs with five- to 30-year terms. These programs include jumbo, super jumbo, USDA, VA, and FHA loans. It also carries adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgages. In addition to home purchasing loans, the company's team handles the mortgage refinancing needs of clients who wish to reduce their loan rates and payments. NorCal Mortgage is available for property evaluation services.

  • Refinance
  • New Construction

301 Banner CT #3, Modesto, CA 95356
WebsiteLicense: 1030017

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Nate Henderson is a mortgage broker that serves clients in Merced. He caters to the lending needs of homebuyers, realtors, and custom builders, for all real estate properties bought, sold, or constructed for a primary residence, vacation home, or investment. He also has industry tools and resources available on his website. These include calculators for refinancing, APR, extra payment, tax benefits, and interest-only computations. Nate Henderson is NMLS-registered and is an Equal Housing Opportunity lender.

  • Refinance

622 Moonbeam Way, Turlock, CA 95382
WebsiteLicense: 366403

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Golden Valley Mortgage is a family-owned and family-operated brokerage firm that serves residential and commercial clients in Merced and other areas in California. It provides a variety of home purchase loans, including conventional, conforming, jumbo, VA, USDA, and FHA loans. It also offers home equity loans for cash-out or debt consolidation purposes. In addition, it helps clients lower the interest rates of existing mortgages. Golden Valley Mortgage has been in business for more than a decade. Principal broker Albert Khamis is also Realtor.

  • Refinance

3522 G St., Merced, CA 95340
WebsiteLicense: 1640351

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group is a direct lender serving a diverse clientele in Merced. Its team processes programs such as jumbo financing, USDA rural development loans, conventional mortgages, and down payment assistance programs. The staff creates mortgage solutions for DACA residents, aspiring condo buyers, medical professionals, and elderly homeowners. With its technology-driven services, the company guides clients through the entire real estate financing process, from consultation to closing. It was established in 2000 and is the 2018 Ellie Mae Encompass Innovative Challenge awardee.

  • Reverse Mortgages
  • Refinance

7644 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711
WebsiteLicense: 219418

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (71)
Yelp
4.0 (17)

Why choose this provider?

Mid Valley Financial has mortgage broker services for residents based in Merced. The crew has Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac options and government-backed programs for borrowers with inadequate FICO ratings or who are part of the military. The company also has products for buyers of commercial assets. It maintains a blog that educates clients on matters such as title insurance and escrow. Mid Valley Financial is a local agency that has been operating since 1985.

  • Refinance

Compare our Top Mortgage Brokers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
ZABE Mortgage Group
1609 Howard Road, Madera, CA 93637
Joshua Dobson
3507 Tully Road, Suite 20, Modesto, CA 95356
Carrollton Mortgage
3430 Tully Rd., Suite. 46, Modesto, CA 95350
Scenic Oaks Funding
1156 Scenic Drive Suite 200, Modesto, CA 95350
Jose Sahagun
324 W. Yosemite Ave., Madera, CA 93637
NorCal Mortgage
1127 13TH ST, Suite A, Modesto, CA 95354
Nate-Henderson
301 Banner CT #3, Modesto, CA 95356
Golden Valley Mortgage
622 Moonbeam Way, Turlock, CA 95382
Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group
3522 G St., Merced, CA 95340
Mid Valley Financial
7644 North Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711

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.