New Location! - Chris Mason - Mortgage Broker

FAQs ?

Below are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. If at any point you need assistance, please call (415) 846-9211 or schedule a consultation via our online form for a FAST & FREE quote with Chris Mason.

What’s an “independent mortgage broker”?

As an independent mortgage broker, we aren’t tied to one bank, lending institution, or single portfolio of loan programs. Which means we are able to shop the entire marketplace to find the best mortgage solution for your particular needs.

Whereas, you might also be familiar with the terms mortgage banker or direct lender, which we are not. Direct lenders work for one bank or lending institution and are only able to sell mortgages from the loan programs made available to them by their bank. In the state of California, only independent mortgage brokers are legal fiduciaries. So when you walk into a Wells Fargo, the direct lender you speak to is only held to the standard of a sales person, not a fiduciary, which means he or she can put their bank’s and their own personal financial interests above your financial interests.

When shopping for mortgages, you should never just speak to a direct lender because you’d be excluding yourself from a broad set of loan programs that most likely offer lower rates, better terms, and faster closings.

Why are my bank’s rates so much higher than the ones you offer?

Banks can get away with offering non-competitive rates because they are oftentimes where new home buyers begin and end their mortgage shopping. (Which is a mistake!) All big banks do is take the profits they made on originating your loan and then immediately sell your mortgage to another institution.

An independent mortgage broker like America’s Home Loans lets you cut out the middleman (the banks) and find the best rates directly with these other lending institutions. This is why once home buyers and investors discover independent mortgage brokers, they never shop mortgages with banks ever again!

What type of clients do you work with?

At America’s Home Loans, we have loan programs that cater all the way from first time home buyers to experienced investors — plus everyone in between. As a locally operated independent mortgage broker, we look to grow long term relationships with our home buyer and investor clients, and value business of any loan size.

Which areas do you service?

We are licensed by the Department of Real Estate in California and serve clients all over the state of California. Our offices are headquartered in El Cerrito, California but our remote mortgage services allow us to service clients from San Diego to San Francisco and every city in between. Even though we’re working remotely, our clients tell us that our personalized and attentive service is like having us in the same room. Read our testimonials from satisfied clients.

Where are your rates?

Many websites post APRs (annual percentage rates) online to attract home buyers into beginning the loan application process with them. However often time those advertised rates are not available to you after your application is submitted, or the rates themselves don’t include the expensive upfront origination fees which are discovered later, or they assume a 50% down payment which is ridiculous!

At America’s Home Loans, we highly value transparency and make it the cornerstone of all of our marketing and client communications. While we can offer competitive rates like the ones you see advertised online, and simultaneously offer better terms and phenomenally fast closings, we do not publicly display our rates so that we can begin the conversation with REAL numbers. It only takes a few minutes and a little bit of information to get a FAST & FREE rate quote.

How do I get started?

The easiest way to get a FAST & FREE rate quote is to call Chris Mason at (415) 846-9211 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation. Let us see how much we can save YOU on a home mortgage!