I worked with Jim Pomposelli and his team Peyton, and Christian for their lending services on my first home purchase. I could not have been more pleased with their assistance and high levels of knowledge. They were all incredibly prompt in their response times. Jim was even texting me answering questions at 10 pm! 10 of 10 would recommend. read more

Our experience with Jim was stellar. After hearing no from Citibank and Bank of America, we were referred to Jim who found a loan product that worked for our particular needs. He gave really quick responses and was clear with his explanations. This is worth its weight in gold as real estate purchases can be very time-sensitive and financially stressful. He showed up to our closing and made sure to follow up with us afterwards. I would recommend him without reservation. If he doesn't quote you the absolute lowest price, he will make every effort to match what you find, and if not, his responsiveness and service are worth the cost. read more

I recently used Jim for a new home and once again, he delivered! Jim is extremely professional, communicative and honest. He helped keep me calm during the entire process. Securing a mortgage is always a stressful process but Jim makes it manageable. Highly recommend him and his team! read more

Jim got the job done on time (early, even), but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't painful. It wasn't Jim's fault, of course. Regulations, underwriters, and the process in general is stressful, even for a straight-forward mortgage like ours. It's just the way getting a mortgage is these days. Jim fielded several after hour calls and emails, and traveled to us to pick up paperwork,etc. Jim explained things thoroughly, and was patient when we felt like things weren't moving as quickly as we would have liked. read more

Went to Jim Pomposelli for pre-approval and got great advice on raising my credit score while house hunting. Later, I went with another lending for the loan - who didn't deliver what he promised just weeks before closing. I called Jim and he came in and delivered the rate and loan amount in crunch time. Amazing work. read more

When my wife and I were ready to purchase our first home, we enlisted Yelp to help us find a qualified mortgage guru. After reading Jim's reviews we decided to give him a call and set up an appointment. Jim was very responsive to our initial communication and asked plenty of good questions over the phone so he could start have the basic framework for us when we went to his office. We scheduled a face-to-face meeting a few days later. Jim was very pleasant and accommodating. He gave us a list of documents that we needed to bring with us so he could get our loan rolling. The first home we tried to purchase was a short sale and Jim was very knowledgeable about everything involved in this process. Due to unforeseen circumstances on the part of the seller, the deal for the short sale was cancelled. We found another property that was more expensive than the first and also decided to purchase a 3 unit building instead of a single family home. Jim was able to handle these changes and keep the process moving without even slowing down. Throughout the entire process, his communication remained as great as it had been in the beginning. He told us that he was always available to answer questions, no matter if it was late at night or a weekend. He always responded to calls and emails within an hour (more times than not, it was within minutes). Jim was able to close the loan on time even though we had minor issues that popped up (again related to the seller) during the due diligence period. Not only was he able to close the loan on time, but he actually attended the closing to make sure that there were no last minute issues that kept the deal from closing. I have worked in the real estate industry and never had a mortgage officer attend a closing. I would highly recommend Jim to anyone looking for a mortgage guru that's responsive, knowledgeable, pleasant and hardworking!!! He was a pleasure to work with. read more

Jim was quick and thorough in getting our pre-approval and loan done for a new home on which we wanted to move on quickly. Each step was transparent and Jim and his team were always available when we had questions. Thanks! read more

Jim was a great help to us when came to him regarding a re-fi. We had a lot of trouble working with other companies/brokers who ultimately were unable to get the job done. Jim was able to execute for us allowing us to take advantage of these great rates. It took some time but in the end the job was done, and that is all we could have asked for. Thanks Jim. read more

I am so thankful that my realtor suggested Perl Mortgage when I started looking at condos in Chicago! Jim and all the folks at Perl were so helpful and communicative throughout the whole process. Jim first met me for a consultation, walked me through what to expect, and was very helpful in helping me assess whether home-buying was the right thing for me at this point in my life. I decided to go ahead with the pre-approval, and again everyone was so helpful (particularly Christian, who ended up talking to me a lot over phone and email). Once I got pre-approved, I found the perfect place very quickly, and the closing process was entirely smooth on Perl's end. They called several times to update me on everything, even though most of the updates were simply, "everything is going smoothly and you're still scheduled to close as planned." I should also mention that in addition to being communicative about all aspects of the process directly related to the loan, they were also very helpful with any and all questions I had about the home-buying process, and helped me feel much more confident in my decisions. I really appreciated their constantly reaching out, because if they had not, I probably never would have asked the questions that ended up being really important. Bonus: This might be a bit too much information, but I have a slightly unusual job (I'm a STEM graduate student) and I wasn't sure what to expect from the loan process or if I would even qualify for a loan with my income classification (stipend). In fact, I had talked to a Bank of America loan person a few months prior and he had been completely confused by... everything. If you have a slightly non-traditional financial situation, and especially if you're a STEM graduate student, I highly recommend Jim and Perl Mortgage! Of course, if your finances are textbook "normal", Jim is still your guy! read more

After a bad condo-buying experience with a small mortgage banker, I found Jim on Yelp and sent an email on the chance he could help me out or at least give advice on how to resolve the problem and get back on the buying path. My credit was nonexistent after living in Europe for 7 years and foreign-source income + self-employment...well, I thought it would take 3 years to get back into the house game. Jim agreed to meet me at my convenience in my neighborhood, listened and was totally honest, giving me an insider's take on what had happened. He offered to do a "What If" scenario for me so he could give frank input on my situation -- even though it could show that I was a no-go for any future business for him. He turned around the "what if" in 24 hours, with good news and advice on how to get my financials back on track. Jim knows good business is about honesty, relationships and delivering on your word -- not just selling your service. When we've found the perfect place and are ready to buy, I'll absolutely go to Jim for our lending. read more

As a first time homebuyer, I feel like I probably required kitten gloves from my lender. Perl Mortgage delivered! They turned around my mortgage in less than 30 days and were a pleasure to work with throughout my closing. I highly recommend Jim! read more

Jim was very helpful in explaining from day one the entire process and what to expect. No matter when we reached out to him, whether in the evening or early morning he was responsive to us always within the same day. If you are new to home purchasing, or just want someone you know will get a deal done for you Jim is that person. Will definitely work with him again! read more

Jim was great! I had a pretty tight deadline before my condo closed and Jim was great at helping me get everything in. He was responsive to my phone calls and emails and made sure everything was dotted and crossed. I would highly recommend him if you're looking for someone who is detail oriented and efficient (which, why wouldn't you be?)! read more

Great to work with, made things simple and got us ready to close ahead of schedule. What could normally be a consuming process ended up being fairly straight forward with the help of Jim and his team. read more

Jim and the Lakeside Bank team were great! It was my wife and I's first condo purchase in the city of Chicago and we had absolutely no clue what we were doing. Jim, however, was with us every step of the way, answering all of our questions any time of day (even 11pm), outlining every step in the buying process and going above and beyond to secure our loan in such a tight timeframe. He was transparent about costs, dedicated, and extremely knowledgable of the buying process in Chicago. Our first ever meeting with him was on a Saturday afternoon at his Lakeside Bank office, where he patiently took us through the entire process and showing us several estimates. After leaving, my wife and I knew right away we wanted to work with him. With Jim, everything ran smoothly and he really helped take away a lot of the anxiety and pressure involved in purchasing a first home. Highly recommend him to anyone in the Chicagoland area! read more

I have used Jim for two mortgages and a re-fi. He provides the best service and answered all my questions. Jim is also honest throughout the whole process, which seems pretty hard to come by in the industry. I refer all my friends and family to Jim. read more

Jim Pomposelli and the team at Lakeside bank are simply the best! As first time home buyers, the process can be very intimidating. Jim took away that anxiety and made the process so incredibly smooth and worry-free! From the minute we reached out for our mortgage loan to the final closing meeting, Jim was very responsive to all of our questions (which you can imagine was a lot :)) We would highly recommend Jim and the team at Lakeside bank for your next home purchase. He truly does make it an enjoyable experience for all! read more

It was a pleasure working with Jim during the entire process. He is very professional and knowledgeable and will guide you in the right direction and make sure you are getting the best deal out there. I would recommend him to anyone buying a home. He is not just trying to get a sale, you can tell he really enjoys helping people. Having a very busy schedule was no problem as Jim made himself available whenever there was any questions. read more

Nowadays, going through the mortgage process can be grueling and lengthy....and dont think for a minute that you can find ANYWHERE that it happens overnight! The biggest mistake people make is going with just any mortgage broker, not realising that this is the person you will be communicating with the most throughout this entire process! If your lucky, you went with Jim Pomposelli who has a ton of patience and is available when you need him. Not only he is personable and professional, he was able to get us a great rate for our new home purchase. read more

Jim and his team were great to work with in executing all aspects of our mortgage process!

I found Jim through his fantastic Yelp reviews, which turned out to be spot-on. Jim is extremely professional, proficient, and knowledgeable. There wasn't a question he couldn't answer for me throughout the entire process, and he was available around the clock. I won't hesitate to use Jim again in the future and refer him to others. read more

I had a stellar experience working with Jim and his team! He kept me in the loop throughout the entire process and continuously provided valuable insight. Jim was always available to talk whenever I had any questions. I wouldn't hesitate recommending Jim for your mortgage needs! read more

I worked with Jim when buying my first home. He was very easy to work with, and walked me through all of the necessary steps in home buying. He was able to make the process easy from start to finish. Thanks Jim! read more

In 2013 we were moving back to the city from out of state, looking for a very particular kind of property in a very specific location. Let's just say it was a complicated move, on multiple fronts. The place we found was a tricky foreclosure/short-sale mess, and we didn't have room for error on the financing. Jim was absolutely masterful in getting things done (and quickly). As other reviewers have noted, he is extremely responsive and knowledgeable. When the short sale was finally approved and we had a very tight timeline to get our financing approved, Jim delivered! Not only that, he somehow made the horrible underwriting process and lending climate of late 2013 bearable and humane. We are so glad we had Jim on our team! read more

Jim was an absolute pleasure to work with. We chose him because some friends had said good things about Perl Mortgage. Jim exceeded our expectations in every fashion. He was calm, thoughtful, responsive, and willing to work through the inevitable challenges in these situations. He went the extra mile to make sure we got the absolute best deal we could get and was with us every step of the way. And, he is responsive to texts, which is a huge plus. We will use Jim for every mortgage related need we have from this point forward. He is really outstanding and is a great and honest partner. Could not be happier with his service! read more

Given buying a condo was simultaneously the scariest and most tedious process I've ever gone through, I couldn't be happier to have had Jim & his team on my side. Jim was great from the get-go; in addition to taking a call on a Saturday and making things happen for me IMMEDIATELY so I could put in a bid on my dream place, he consistently lead me through the process by answering questions I didn't know I had. He and his team made sure my application kept moving, which is absolutely no small feat, and were a pleasure to work with in the process. While I REALLY hope I don't have to buy another home for quite some time, when I do I will absolutely work with Jim again. read more

I really enjoyed my home buying experience with Jim. From our very first meeting, I was impressed by his candor and transparency. I felt no pressure to use his services over other lenders. I did quickly learn that the depth and thorough nature of Perl's services made the home buying process easier. Jim's team, particularly Johnita, were in weekly contact with me, my realtor, and the sellers agent to keep us all up to date on the process. When complications arose, they were there to help solve problems and provide accurate and unbiased guidance. My experience was complicated, but Jim and his team were creative, resourceful, and even generous (!) in getting me to and through closing. I would not hesitate to use Jim's team again and highly recommend them to anyone engaged in buying a home. read more

I just wanted to take the time to thank Perl Mortgage for helping me . The knowledge & professionalism left me impressed ! And always accessible & patient ! I never had a problem getting a question answered or getting timely & intelligent advice ! THANK YOU PERL MORTGAGE FOR EVERYTHING ! read more

I worked with Jim this summer on a mortgage application. I came across to his profile here on Yelp. I was on a pretty tight deadline and he immediately responded my inquiries. He and his team are excellently efficient, kind, and understanding people. They expedited everything, as much as it could be, to meet my paperwork deadlines. Every time a roadblock emerged, Jim handled it very professionally and calmly, ensuring that things were in order. Believe me when you are buying a home for the first time and also have other things going in your life, you need a lender like him. Understanding, facilitating and very professional. He explained everything patiently and we worked quite well. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone! I listened to the other reviewers and was super happy. Thank you Jim and your team! read more

I was a first time home buyer in the west loop. Jim was incredibly helpful and made himself available on weekends and after hours to answer questions and keep me on track through out the process. Genuinely nice guy! Great to work with. read more

Jim is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and dedicated to his clients. His responsiveness -- even on weekends and evenings -- enabled us to submit a fully-baked offer before other buyers could jump in, and his reputation gave our offer additional legitimacy. He also has a strong team behind him that made the underwriting process smooth and relatively painless. Long story short, I highly recommend Jim. read more

Jim was recommended to us by our financial advisor and from the start was great at helping us first time home buyers understand the process. He took his time with us and explained things well. We had quite the roller coaster of a home buying experience, in the end we were under contract for 3 properties and did a total of 4 mortgage applications. Jim and his team hung in there with us over the months and through the ups and downs. The paperwork is painful no matter who you work with but Jim and Perl were very responsive and overall very organized and helped us stay on track. Jim told us at the beginning he would be available whenever and this was completely true. In fact I accidentally called him at 3 am and he called back (sorry again Jim:). We would recommend PERL and specifically Jim especially if you are looking for a more personal and involved team. read more

Jim was helpful from beginning to end. We were first time home buyers and we had a lot of questions. We never felt lost throughout the whole process. He explained everything in detail, and was always available either through email or through phone. His team was also very fast at answering our questions. He made the process very straightforward.We will be returning customers from now on. read more

I found Jim via Yelp about 1.5 years ago when I started looking for a house; he had excellent reviews, but I ended up working with another lender simply because he got back to me quicker. I did some searching, but decided to put the house hunt on hold to save a bit more. After a 1.5 year house hunt hiatus, I reached out to him and set up an appointment once my fiancé and I found a house. He explained the process, what they would need from us in order proceed and answered all of our questions. Once our offer was accepted, Jim and his team got to work and were very thorough which I appreciated. His assistant Ben was also very helpful and quick to return my many calls/emails. They send out a weekly update on Tuesdays so you know the status of the loan and request anything they need from you as necessary. We've heard horror stories about the mortgage process and working with Jim and his team definitely reduced a lot of stress that I think we would have experienced if we secured our loan via other lenders. They take on majority of the work and if you are responsive and on top of what they ask of you the process goes much smoother. We got a great interest rate and overall are very happy with the process and help we received from Jim and his team at Perl! read more

Jim and his team were the smartest, nicest and most prompt people I have ever worked with. Every question I had was answered quickly, thoroughly and courteously. We were kept up to date on every step of our loan process. I highly recommend Jim and Lakeside Bank. I promise you that you will not be disappointed. read more

As a first time home buyer my wife and I wasn't sure what to expect actually heading into the market. Jim patiently walked through the entire process and answered every question we came up with, in person. Even though they say home buying is a painful process, Jim and his staff walked us through, almost effortlessly. I would highly recommend Jim! read more

Was great to work with Jim and helped me along the process every step of the way as a first time home buyer. Would highly recommend. Him and his team kept the entire transaction on track. read more

As our first home buying experience, Jim and his team helped everything go smoothly and efficiently. Both Jim and Ben frequently called and checked in with us on the progress of our approval, any more documents needed, etc. We really appreciated that they would call both my fiancé and I separately, knowing we were both at work and would have to report to the other otherwise, so nothing was lost in communication. Again, being our first home, we were unfamiliar with the process, the terminology, our options, etc., and they always made sure everything was presented to us fully and that we understood each step. I will definitely be recommending Jim to everyone I know! read more

Jim was recommended to us by a close friend and my relator. As a first time buyer, my original knowledge base of the buying process was pretty minimal. Jim simplified the process for me and really helped me to understand all the steps I needed to take to get the home I wanted. I have already recommended Jim and his team to a few friends and will continue to do so. read more

We weren't looking to purchase a home but suddenly found ourselves with the opportunity to purchase a home at a great deal. Jim was so personal and helpful from the start to the end. He met us at our home the next day, listened to our concerns, questions, and helped us through the entire process. He responded quickly and returned calls and emails and reached out to us and kept us in the loop. Jim made sure that everything was in order and was there even on the day of our closing. We felt very reassured knowing that he was doing everything possible to help us secure our loan and in a timely manner. His expertise and knowledge of the business is a great asset. He's diligent and a hard worker. We really believe him when he says that he loves seeing people be able to settle into their home. He is highly recommended! read more