Leaman Team  |  LoanPeople

We refinanced our 6.5% mortgage to a 3.625% mortgage.

03/12/2013 by John K.
Location: Frisco, Texas

From first contact on 1/18 to the closing on 3/1 and funding of the mortgage on 3/6, the process was smooth, painless, and had none of the usual ‘surprises’.

We tried to refinance in mid 2010 shooting for a rate around 4.875%. We worked with one of Dave Brennan’s recommended firms, but found the required PMI costs would rise to $160/mo from our current $61 on a 6.5% mortgage. That plus closing costs of over $5000, not counting escrow deposits, reduced the savings too much, so we did nothing.
late Jan 2013, with rates now in the 3.5 – 3.625% range, we decided to try again. I provided this to each of four candidate lenders: Home value based on realtor’s comp study, mortgage balance, credit score for wife and myself, w-2 and 1099 incomes, debts, annual real estate tax and insurance costs. I told each I wanted to get written ballpark quotes – cost per month, escrow requirements, estimated closing costs; then I would pick one or two to proceed with formal refinance application.
Costco: I found out Costco was contracting with banks and with an Executive Costco Membership, their handling fees would be maxed at about $500. As soon as I requested a quote and submitted basic facts, I received a call from Bank of the Internet within minutes. They were able to provide verbal rough quotes on monthly costs, stated I needed $100/mo PMI, and mortgage amount needed, but could not or would not provide detail closing costs, which looked like $4K based on other numbers. But after that first call, I could never talk to the rep in person and exchanged emails and voice mails and played phone tag. They were quoting 3.625%
A 2nd bank recommended by Costco also called almost immediately, and gave me rough verbal estimates. This one also said I needed PMI for about $100/mo. Quote was 3.625%. Quoted closing costs were vague.
Navy Federal Credit Union – my main bank – I called in, gave enough facts over the phone to submit a rough quote request, and received an emailed detailed quote the next day. But it included exhorbitant max numbers such as a $2000 survey charge, $500 appraisal, too many months of escrow, etc., which totally turned me off. No one ever followed up by phone or email, ever. Quote was 6.25%. I know they were quoting on the high end, but this was ridiculous.
Then I found Max Leaman, and submitted quote request about noon, Friday 1/18. I received a reply soon, and a call from Jori Stern. I discussed my desires and facts with her, and had numbers from her that afternoon. I had given her the comp analysis from my realtor friend and she assured me that PMI was not needed. I received answers on Sat, and by Monday was given a written quote with closing costs in the range of $3100, not counting escrow. By Tuesday, 1/20, I was emailing past tax returns, pay stubs, etc. Jori was always prompt in her replies, and gave me sound advice on whether I should buy down the rate with points (not worth it) and on other issues. We were shooting for a 3/1 closing date. With their low closing costs and the absence of PMI, our mortgage cost per month, including escrow for tax and insurance will be about 29% lower and the savings will pay for the cost of refinancing in about 9 months. By 2/5, Jori had confirmed a target close date of 3/1/2013.
Over the next week Jori promptly emailed answers to any questions I had and kept me informed of the status of our mortgage
In Mid Feb Jori told me my Loan Processor. promptly contacted me, and asked for a few more documents.
Then I was contacted by Bryan Adair of Patten Law, which was handling the Title, letting me know when the notary public man would conveniently visit us in our home at a time of our choosing to sign the paperwork. We did not have to go to a title company office. Paperwork was signed in about 30 minutes on 3/1. On 3/7 Jori let me know the mortgage had been funded. The notary handed us a DVD with all of the documents on 3/1, and on 3/4 Bryan Adair emailed us copies of the 140 pages of signed documents

Throughout this process, everyone we dealt with – Jori Stern, Patten Law, and the notary public – were professional, knowledgeable,courteous, and efficient. Overall, I probably spent no more than 3 hours on this, primarily gathering,scanning, and emailing the initial set of income, tax return, employment and other documentation. I really felt like a customer in the hands of professionals.

I worked with what seems like pretty much the entire Leman Team.

06/26/2014 by Aaron B.
Location: Austin, TX

We were under contract 3 times until we got a deal that worked out and each time Leman was on point and got us taken care of.

Very Very Impressed

06/23/2020 by Russell
Location: Austin, TX

We recently completed a REFI with Jori and the Max Leaman team. All I can say is how impressed we are with the speed, accuracy and efficiency of their work. We closed on time and got the BEST rate from all the lenders we shopped for. Keep up the amazing work!

I had a great experience working with Max Leaman Austin Mortgage via Misty.

01/23/2019 by Ahmad
Location: San Jose, CA

My agent recommended them, and I believe the great reviews here reflect that clearly:
* Misty explanation were clear and straightforward. All the fees were clear and I had a good understanding of what to expect.
* They gave me the best rate, and could easily beat other options.
* I actually enjoyed working with them. Some other lenders kept harassing by constant phone calls/emails.
Do I recommend them to my friends and family: absolutely
Will I work with them in future: absolutely :)

5 Stars

07/10/2024 by Ting Y.
Location: Austin, TX

Very efficient working process! Commit and completed Closing on time!

Wonderful team! From start to finish, Jori was patient, attentive and fun to work with.

06/18/2019 by Kavitha S.
Location: Cypress Texas

The Leaman team seamlessly coordinated all the proceedings with other parties (Title company etc.) and made our entire mortgage process a cake walk. We are out-of-towners for Austin and without a team of impeccable, local professionals such Leaman, we could not have done bought our home so painlessly! Highly recommend. You wont regret it!

Once again thank you guys for helping me buy my dream home. Highly Recommend.

11/17/2023 by Matthew L.
Location: Lago Vista, TX

I recently purchased my first house. I want to say a big thank you to Candy, Patty, and Sarah. From what I have been told the process of buying a home is supposed to be super stressful but it actually was super easy dealing with them. I am so thankful everything got done so quickly.

Best Rate!

08/09/2019 by W.A.
Location: Texas

Always available – I mean always like any day of the week available. Very fast to respond and always provided the numbers while going through each item line by line. Closing was a breeze. I am grateful that we used your services during our home purchase. Thanks again!

I look forward to working with them again in the future.

01/08/2024 by Payal J.
Location: Austin, TX

Max Leaman and his team helped close my loan in 3 weeks (during the holiday season). Fantastic team!!

Recently purchased an investment property in Austin.

02/17/2015 by Giselle W.
Location: Austin, Texas

It took some time to find the right house and to get a contract settled. Jori and her team were wonderful and patient. They offered suggestions and guided us through the loan process professionally and efficiently. I definitely recommend them and will use them again in the future. Thank you Jori!