I don't typically write Yelp reviews, but I feel the need to share my amazing experience with Scott Bonora for anyone looking for a mortgage in NYC. Scott comes highly recommended through various trusted sources, and he has been nothing but tremendous since the first time I've reached out. I have personally dealt with many mortgage brokers / bankers in the past, few things that stood out about Scott are: 1. Large mortgage banking network - Scott has a large network of banks where he has diligently shopped my deal around until he got me the best rate possible. Scott has represented my interests throughout the entire process. 2. Availability - Scott will make himself available at any time and any day of the week. I have a pretty demanding schedule at work and Scott has always made himself available for my inquiries. 3. Attention to details and great project manager - Scott is extremely detail oriented and was great at helping me manage and navigate the application process. He provided the first review to all my documents and ensured that I have all the necessary information needed to get a bank's approval on the first try, which is exactly what happened 4. Patience - My closing process was delayed by several weeks due to issues on the seller's side. Scott did a great job communicating my situation to the bank and at the same time helping me evaluate potential solutions. He stayed with me until the moment we closed on the deal. Scott's team also did a great job explaining every terms/clauses of the deal to make sure that I understood everything before signing. The mortgage process can be a daunting one for those considering purchasing in NYC. I would HIGHLY recommend Scott to anyone going through the process, as his team is really the best in the business who can deliver a seamless experience with the best possible rate read more

My name is Mahesh Shah, I applied for a refinancing of the loan with Loandepot.Agent name is James Vollenhals, NMLS#1123066,My Loan application is 104097340Mr.Vollenhals took the application on Phone and we went through every thing including different programmes of Loan and my personnel credit and ask me permission to pull credit and I discussed with him my finances including discussion about me being self employed..LoanDepot e mailed me all disclosures,fees and closing cost etc which I agreed and I Esigned all the Documents,and Next day I Uploaded all the income verification documents and all my Business Tax returns and personnel tax returns for last two years as he asked for.Following day I got a call from James telling me that they can not do this loan because I have too many tax returns and I should go to some local Guy to Refinance this Loan.I could not understand this,I did not know Loandepot punishes Successful people.Upcourse I can get Loan from anybank but the Idea that Mr.James was not transparent upfront bothered me,he should have told me up front that they will not do loan for Self employed people.LoanDepot agent wasted lot of my time ,First on taking the application,than eSign and verify everything and lot of time wasted for collecting and uploading all the tax returns I am looking for the clarification that what your agent told me is true? Mahesh Shah, RPh732-259-8100Vice ChairmanIndian Business Association (IBA)Mobile: 732-259-8100 read more

At the 11th hour, when I was waiting with bated breath to hear back from one Andrew Michael from Vanguard Funding, LLC, that we were "cleared to close"-I was dealt the most devastating blow of a denial-which literally took all the wind from me!! I felt paralyzed-totally unable to react!! This happened of course, because I had been dealing with a group of reckless and irresponsible incompetents, that were more than happy to risk my deposit-willy-nilly!!! Once able to breath again, I contacted my attorneys, who IMMEDIATELY recommended that I contact Scott Bonora!! So I did what my legal team had advised me to do, and let's just say, I closed on my house 3 weeks later!!! After having dealt with 5 different lenders to varying degrees over the last year and a half, I can honestly say that Scott's knowledge and level of professionalism, is hands down-the absolute best that I experienced. Everything was clearly communicated, quickly executed and followed up on and thorough, it felt like wizardry, comparatively. Because he knew the gravity of what we had been through with this other company-he came by the closing to meet us in person-I jumped up to hug him immediately!! DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER...THERE IS NO RATING HIGH ENOUGH FOR WHAT HE DID FOR OUR FAMILY!! SCOTT CAME THOUGH LIKE A SUPERHERO...I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL TO HIM!! read more

We worked with Stuart Kolinsky on the purchase of a new apartment. From the second we initially contacted him until after the deal closed he was always available to answer our questions and assist us in any way he could. Stu was always very honest with us, and everything he told us would happen happened in the way and time frame that he said it would. We know firsthand that some of the people you come into contact with while purchasing a property can stretch the truth to serve their purposes and found it very refreshing to have someone we could count on for any help we needed. Both Stu and our attorney Adam worked very hard to make our deal come to fruition. Their guidance, honesty and desire to make sure that we were getting everything we needed in a timely manner as well as completing the process in a satisfactory and positive manner cannot be overstated. Even when Stu had completed getting us a loan and getting all the paper work into the proper hands he still found time to stop by our closing to meet in person and make sure everything that he set in motion had indeed gone smoothly. He is the kind of hard working person that anyone would be lucky to have on their side and I highly recommend him read more

My wife and I were as new as new buyers could be. We had never seriously considered buying a home during over twenty years of renting. Stan came very highly recommended by the realtor we were working with. Rarely does a professional recommendation prove to be so perfectly on-point as this one did. Everything she predicted about Stan's intelligence, skill, professionalism, and availability were exhibited from our first conversation to our last. Stan's patience with my never-ending questions and worries turned out to be the essential key to my relative equanimity during this long, nerve-wracking purchase of our lovely co-op in Forest Hills. His tutorials about every aspect of the mortgage process were cogent and excellently fitted to my level of ignorance and insecurity; with me, Stan needed to use his talents as a counsellor. Since we will not be buying another property in any foreseeable future, the only way we can give something tangible back to Stan for his personal support is this recommendation. Give him a call early in your own process of financing your purchase. We feel sure you will stay with him to a very successful -- and economically satisfying -- completion of your dream purchase. read more

It is rare to find a professional who cares more about doing the right thing than anything else. I have known Stu Kolinsky for probably close to a decade. When I first met him, he took the time to educate me and point me in the right direction on financing he couldn't even write. I passed his name on to a few people, and he actually advised one of them against refinancing. In the past few years, however, he's worked with me on (an incredibly smooth) refinancing - and most recently, purchasing a new home. The new home purchase was a whirlwind experience. He was not only available to us, literally, 24X7, he was the quarterback for the entire transaction - keeping in touch with me, the realtor, the attorney, etc. Closing a large purchase in just about a month was insane - and no matter what ridiculous issue came up, what had to get done, or where he had to go - nothing was ever a problem for Stu. I could trust that whatever Stu was working on, would be done right - and on time. And, I always felt well-informed and that he was on top of things (even when he was supposed to be on vacation.) At this point, I have been so spoiled, I don't think I could ever work with any other mortgage broker. read more

Rob Raush was unbelievable throughout our loan process and closing. This was our first home purchase. Being new the process we had many questions and Rob patiently explained the entire process answering all of our questions. I work a hectic schedule at times with odd hours but Rob worked around this to make sure I was comfortable throughout the process. He provided guidance and made this stressful time easy on us. He was able to work with me to understand what I was looking for and provided me with multiple options. Rob provided detailed instructions step by step throughout the process. He outlined what we needed at each step along the way and anticipated what would be needed next. We closed quickly without any complications or delays in any of the process. He worked seamlessly with our Real Estate agent and Lawyer. He provided answer to all of our questions promptly and followed up with us consistently throughout the process. I am completely satisfied with the service. I would highly recommend Rob Raush to any and all those going through the home buying process. I cannot thank him enough for his time, patience and expertise. read more

Being a first-time buyer is an intimidating process. Not to mention, with a world feeling a little bit uneasy. Lance immediately puts you at ease, ensuring that you can rest assured that you are in the best hands. He's knowledgeable, he's experienced, he's expert, he's thoughtful, he's understanding - and he goes above and beyond. It's true, we learned from him, he took calls at all hours of the day - often pestering calls, no less! - but he handled it all with compassion, empathy, and a sober, pragmatic outlook. We would not want to consult with any other mortgage broker on any further purchase, and we would recommend him to anyone looking for guidance around buying a home and taking a mortgage. It was a pleasure working with him. The only issue with working with him successfully, is that the regular calls and consult comes to an end! Of course we're all delighted by the outcome, but Lance is a pleasure to work with, and we miss speaking with him as often as we did. Our advice: work with Lance whenever you have the chance. Thanks for being such a great partner and team member, Lance, we really appreciated it. read more

I have known Lance Tarhan for quite a long time, originally meeting him through business networking 13 years ago. He has been a font of knowledge and trust throughout that time. My first experience working with Lance was just after the crash when he managed to prevent my HELOC from being cut in half; a feat that many told me was not possible. When I asked him about refinancing my home and rolling in the HELOC he worked with me over a TWO YEAR stretch to get my (self-employed) finances to the proper state to allow it to happen. Considering the challenges he faced along the way I can state with perfect honesty that I am certain he is the only reason I was able to close on my new mortgage this week. Lance's dedication to my cause and constant reassurance throughout the process kept me sane, and the rate he managed to lock in (at the perfect moment as it turned out) was better that I had reason to hope for. I am proud to consider Lance a friend, and guide those I care about to him at every opportunity. Lance is a gem, and if you are in need of an expert your search is over. read more

Stuart Kolinsky was incredibly helpful and absolutely essential in maintaining our sanity during our recent sale of one home and purchase of our new home. Throughout the process, Stuart kept me and wife up to date both on what was happening and how to prepare for what would happen next, always anticipating our needs without overwhelming us with information. As the closing dates approached for both the sale and purchase, both sets of dates were shifted due to items beyond our control. However, Stuart was able to reassure us and make the necessary adjustments so that we did not miss a beat or a detail. His understanding of the process, his depth of familiarity with the field and the market, and his sage advise all combined to make this an outstanding experience. I cannot recommend him enough and while I am not certain I ever want to move again, would absolutely use Stuart the next time because I know I had a real partner to help during this stressful transition, a partner who brought professionalism, knowledge and a positive attitude to the task at hand. read more

Lance Tarhan is the most patient and helpful mortgage person I have ever worked with (this is my second purchase). I spoke with many financial institutions, and people who could say they could help in securing a mortgage. I felt like a fish in grubby seedy net. Lance was not only a breath of fresh air, he was calm, patient and helped me navigate through my various unending questions drawn out over a long period of time. He advised me of my options and helped us secure a great financing package. He was honest, reliable, professional and a true New York personality, with a lightness and wonderful way of communicating. I am now a very happy home owner thanks (literally) to Lance, the process was made MUCH easier and better with his help. In conclusion, I will and in-fact do recommend his services to anyone looking for a mortgage, and when we need to remortgage in the future, I know who I'll be contacting! Big thanks for you all your help Lance Sylvia and the Dix family read more

My loan officer Daniel totally Misrepresented the loan closing cost. We were told the closing cost was $1600. $495 for the appraiser & $35 for the credit check. We were refinancing to a 15 yr Mtg @ 4.375%. We were at 5.375%. This was on 9-15-2025. We faxed over our tax returns & income for my spouse. The next day, we were approved. He told us that we would receive a phone call or email from the appraiser. He came on that Saturday. The same day I received a action required email to esign the loan estimate & other documents. Once I opened up the document, I saw that the Closing costs were $18,990 & the origination fee was $1990 along with $10,620 for buying the points down to 4.375%. I was never told this at all. Our Balance was 276k & this was going to be $307k. This was over 31k. I knew Daniel would be calling me on Monday, asking me did I receive the email. I never answered the call. I would never recommend this company. At least we will get an appraisal out the deal. read more

I worked with Scott Bonora and he was amazing. Scott and loanDepot were extremely attentive and helped to make what is normally a complex process easy and convenient. Scott was always available and responsive and more than willing to answer all of my questions (and I had a lot of questions). I had a challenging buying experience that was filled with many delays from the sellers side. Scott stayed in touch with me throughout and made sure that I was in position to close as soon as the seller was ready. I had always heard that securing the mortgage was the most difficult part of the purchasing process but with Scott's help I found it to be the easiest. With Scott's help I was well informed and confident in my ability to move forward. Even after I closed Scott was still willing to work with me and made sure that I understood everything. I will recommend Scott and loanDepot to all of my friends and family. This was truly an amazing experience. read more

Before I met Stu, I had a horrible experience buying a condo. The loan officer, days before I was supposed to close, responded to me with, "Oh, is that still happening?" Now, I will only work with Stu Kolinsky. (This is my third or fourth time working with him.). He was the reason I was able to get into my current home in just over a month (in time for my wedding) - and now, I was able to (easily) complete a refinancing while the COVID-19 pandemic ravages deals worldwide. Stu is wonderful at explaining options, checking in, keeping you up to date - and keeping you sane. Most importantly, he makes things happen. His calls and emails update you on activity rather than you having to track him down or listen to excuses about why things aren't done. Whether you think your transaction will be smooth or complicated, there are so many things that can crop up, go wrong, and create issues. If I work with Stu, I know that I don't have to worry. read more

As a foreign national with no US credit and no US income, I never thought I would be able to get a mortgage for the condo I wanted to purchase in NYC. So, I thought I would be limited to only to properties I could afford to pay for all cash. But, then I met Ellen Morgenthal and my vision immediately expanded when she told me she had several mortgage programs that I could potentially qualify for. Now, I could afford to buy a bigger place. Ellen was able to do even better - she was able to get me maximum financing by cross-collateralizing the new purchase and tap into the equity I had in a NY condo I purchased for cash previously. Doing this has now allowed me to also purchase a condo in Miami where I am opening another office. Ellen has been wonderful to deal with, is highly responsive even late at night and early in the morning when we are in different time zones. I wholeheartedly recommend Ellen - you can't do better! read more

After very stressful and less than satisfactory encounters with other loan agents, my son-in-law, a Manhattan attorney, suggested I talk to Lance Tarhan at Loan Depot. Lance was not only very professional, but very patient. He walked me through all the steps for obtaining a mortgage, my first, and was always quick with his responses to my questions. Best of all, he secured a very low interest rate. Lance's explanations were always clear and made what could have been a very stressful time, much easier to deal with. What makes Lance truly unique is that he was able to do all of this for me even though we were located in two different states and the house I was purchasing was in a third. Not only was Lance great to deal with, but others I interacted with were equally helpful. I highly recommend Lance Tarhan to anyone looking for a mortgage especially if you are not an experienced home buyer. Make him your first stop! read more

We just closed on our first home and honestly I don't think we could have done it without Stan. From our first phone conversation 6 months ago to toasting our new apartment on a cold March afternoon, he was with us every step of the way. And by every step, we mean emails at 11:30pm on Friday nights and phone calls on Saturday afternoons - he is incredibly dedicated to his clients and, literally, always available to answer questions (no matter how silly). Stan is very knowledgeable and is able to impart his knowledge in a manner that is both kind and realistic - which can be a difficult and fine line to walk. Not to mention that he got us a fantastic rate! On a personal note, he is just a very pleasant and positive person to interact with - which can make such a difference when you're crunching numbers and signing documents for months and months! We wholeheartedly recommend Stan - you will be in very good hands! read more