I've just completed my 6th loan with Al & Team at Stratis. My first two were completed when I was a small business owner in 2010-2011. This was post the financial crisis when it was incredibly difficult to get any funding as a W2 employee. Nearly impossible as a small business owner. My most recent transaction was for investment/rental property. Al & Team have been consistent and dependable through every transaction. I simply can not recommend this team more sincerely and enthusiastically. Thanks! read more

As a former lender, I am very thorough in my vetting of mortgage lenders. Mike is exceptionally talented and thorough making certain the focus is on the client's goal both in the short term and long term. Mike has been in lending and one of the partners in his firm for over 30 years. You can expect knowledge, experience and a smooth transaction with Mike and his team. read more

Mike is always available to answer my questions, even on weekends and evenings! He's very patient, understanding, and knowledgeable about the different types of mortgages available. Mike is caring, efficient, and very personable...I always feel like I am a top priority. Highly recommend! Thank you, Mike! read more

Dennis knows his stuff!! This is my second purchase with Dennis. The investment property was a bit of a challenge but Dennis Smith made it look easy...he wasted no time. During this pandemic time, he beat the odds. The market went haywire and all offers were above asking... really competitive and challenging. I am happy and really relieved to know that Dennis had my back and protected my interest and guided me through the process. I will definitely ask for Dennis again.!!!!! Got my first home with him and now an investment property... Dennis will make it happen. Got one heck of a deal with money to spare. Thanks Dennis read more

Todd is great to work with. In this market we needed everything fast and he was on it! This is the third loan we have done with Todd and we highly recommend him. read more

Dennis is fantastic to work with. He is a consummate professional and incredibly knowledgeable - he's answered about a million of my questions. He's made the process very quick and painless. Would use him time and time again. read more

I consider Todd Gan at Stratis Financial, part of my "team" when it comes to all things real estate. He came highly recommended by a friend of mine, when I first moved to Orange County back in 2002. Since then, Todd has helped me purchase 3 homes, and do a refinance. What makes Todd so valuable, is that he understands the whole process of purchasing a home, not just his role as a lender. He is always available to bounce questions off of, and to discuss things with your realtors, your escrow agents, and pretty much anyone else involved in the transaction. Because he fluently speaks the language of real estate, I have at times leaned on Todd to help expedite elements of a transaction, in order to make deadlines, and just to keep the lines of communication open between all parties. Is this technically in his job description? I have no idea, but I like that Todd Gan is always looking out for my best interest, and is always easy to get a hold of when I need him. Lets put it this way, I have used other realtors in my 3 different home purchases, but I have always used Todd. Sure realtors will tell you, "they have a guy," to handle lending. To which I am very comfortable knowing..."I have a guy, and he's my own guy." With no allegiances to anyone but me. Todd has in the past advised me NOT to refinance, and when I asked why, he showed me the numbers of why it was not in my best interest to refinance at that time. Other friends of mine were refinancing their homes, and he even explained why it was a good move for them......but not me and my goals. A few years later, when the question came up again, we did do a refinance to a 20 year mortgage, as this time the numbers did support doing a refinance. But still Todd took the time to go through all the different scenarios, to make sure it matched my long term goals to do so, and presented several different options....including once again...doing nothing. In fact I can only remember one time, where Todd was "pushy". When I bought my last home in November 2016, Todd called me and said...."we need to lock in this rate now." Todd usually doesn't give strong opinions like that....but it was clear in his voice, he wasn't messing around. So I did lock it in. Sure enough the rate went up within the next few days, and by locking it in at the lower rate, Todd saved me a nice chunk of money. In closing, I can't give Todd a higher recommendation, and I hope you take my advice and use him. I for sure will in all of my future real estate transactions. read more

My husband and I just completed a home purchase. This was our 5th home purchase and this was by far the worst experience of the 5. Our experience was very different than the other posters. We were not kept updated on what was happening and things were delayed (then we were blamed for the delays). It was terrible customer service. If pulling out of the transaction hadn't cost us so much we would have pulled out and tried to go with another lender. Yes, we did get a great rate but I don't know that the rate was worth the aggravation and frustration. We won't be using Stratis again. read more

I have always enjoyed working with Dennis Smith on getting a mortgage loan (purchases and refinancing) and discussion on how to save money. He has 30 years of experience. Having him taking care on one of my purchases and a refinancing, it shows that he has a GREAT wealth of knowledge. He is always very customer service oriented and very approachable. Buying a property is already stressful enough. Dennis is a person that can get the job done. Most importantly, he makes time for his clients to get any questions answered. I highly recommend him and his team. read more

I worked with Arlene Spellman, who was referred to me by my Realtor. I love my Realtor!. She is a trusted friend and the person I credit fully for getting me my home. Unfortunately, the serious lack of professionalism on Arlene's part negatively affected this experience, almost causing me to walk away completely, and has left a black mark on my home buying experience. This was not my first home purchase. This was my third, as well as having gone through a few rounds of refinancing with past homes. The process was not new to me. I understand that the process today is different than it was 10 years ago, however the disorganization, excuses for such and the stress I endured with this purchase was above and beyond. Stress that lingered and left a damper on my purchase well after moving in. I was out of town when closing occurred, and had to hire an atty to bring documents to me to sign. During the signing, I discovered a discrepancy in the figures, costing me $3500 more than expected. I paused the signing and called Arlene to have this discrepancy explained to me. She proceeded to explain, rather rudely and loudly, something very different than what was understood by me prior, yelling at me repeatedly that "I understood this". I feel after having gone through this process a few times, I have a good basic understanding of what is explained to me (most especially when it affects my overall payout), and have never incurred such a surprise with past deals. To not only be thrown a $3500 loop, but to then be yelled at in explanation of it.... then followed by being told that she did not have time to discuss the matter with me as she was in the middle of something else more important - well there are no words to describe the feelings..... Once we were so rudely disconnected from our call with Arlene, the attorney, looking as dumbfounded as I felt, stated he had never encountered such an experience in all his legal dealings. He didn't feel comfortable proceeding, however I was a bit stuck. I was signing papers while out of town as I needed to obtain keys and move the day after returning home, so sign I did. What has remained with me a full year after this experience occurred, is the feeling that I was wronged and I accepted it, at great expense. People tend to react negatively to situations when they are in the wrong, or feel guilty. Arguing, yelling, wanting to end the call as quickly as possible - these do not appear to me to be the actions of a person in control of a situation, or someone that feels confident they handled things properly. Not to mention, all of the above is simply downright unprofessional on every level. I have been trying to put the negative experience behind me and focus on the positive - my new home. However, in recently sharing it with another industry professional, it was suggested that i use this avenue to share my story with others, as I'm possibly not the only one..... read more

I have worked with Mike Cleveland at Stratis for over 15 years. I feel very comfortable referring my clients to Mike. His straight forward, good natured approach to every scenario is client centered. He has great communication skills. Stratis is a direct lender which is what most transactions require. You and your clients will be impressed. read more

I highly recommend Mike Farah the third! I was working with two other lenders when I was referred to Mike he not only beat the rates but was able to approve us for much more. Mike answered all my questions promptly and educated me on every document and decision. He saved me thousands of dollars on an almost possible bad sale that after speaking with Mike I did not buy. Once we found the right home everything was a breezy he took care of us like we were his only clients. We own a business and have crazy schedules he respected that and worked with our restrains . He is the best home loan specialist we could have chosen I have already referred him to many of my clients and they have felt the same. If you want a smooth home loan with less stress Mike is the best!! Thank you Mike!! read more

The Bottom Line: Stratis Financial got our loan funded and escrow closed in 28 days even when we had to change escrow companies TWICE! These folks know their stuff and work hard to get the job done and we could not be more pleased. I will highly recommend Albert Farah and Barbara Uhlman to any of my family and friends! They communicated with us every step of the way and we felt comfortable throughout the entire process. Top Notch Professionals!! read more

This is the second time we used stratis for a new home loan. Fast, efficient, professional and personable. Doug is "all over it" in making sure his clients get the best rates and best service. Their integrity is second to none and I've never experienced any delay. I would highly recommend them to anyone. read more