After having a terrible experience with another mortgage company, we were devastated to find out at the last minute prior to closing that our funding fell through. My husband, who usually is very upbeat and optimistic, lost his energy and desire to continue the housing search. Buying a house takes such an amount of energy, with a variety of paperwork required. My husband was led to Veterans First Mortgage Company and connected with Rosa "Romo" Altamirano. Rosa was very understanding, empathetic and encouraged my husband to persevere, with her assistance. She asked my husband to tell her what happened with the other company so she could understand where she might be able to clear things up and helped us achieve the purchase of our home. It was important to have such a home that was handicap accessible for me, and for others who visit, and give us peace of mind. Rosa explained the process of application, assuring us that she would be with us all the way. She invited us to call or email her anytime, as she wanted to be available for any concerns or questions. She would even call us at times to check how we were doing. I so appreciated talking with her as needed, and so did my husband! She also stayed in touch with our realtor as needed, to keep the lines of communication open for a smooth purchase. The value of having such support during this home purchasing process was so beneficial. We were able to "lean" on her for advice or clarification of issues. In a heartbeat, if anyone is searching for the right mortgage company and right loan officer, we recommend Rosa to provide your needed support! Rosa is licensed in all 50 states, and so knowledgeable of the laws for home purchase. We highly recommend Rosa as the right loan officer for your home purchase! read more

We were dealing with this mortgage company since September 2020. Unbeknownst to us the representative Cynthia Kowalski had dropped the Ball and never received a certificate of eligibility for our VA loan. As we were seeing various houses she would give us updated verification of the loan amount so we can present to the sellers Realtor. When we finally decided on a house in March of 2021, We were told 3 weeks before the closing, that the VA loan was not approved since November 2020. We lost money on the inspection fee of the house, the expedited DD214 form fee & in the binders fee of $5000. A representative of a bank should always ascertain their customers are eligible for the services they require and not falsely lead them to purchases they are not entitled to. Had we been informed on a timely manner back in November, we could have requested an appeal From the military review board. This facility receives letters regarding the decision for their customers sent to their office address which is not acceptable to us which should have been notified With documentation sent to our home address back in November. read more

I was just contacted by Ephrem at Veterans First about refinancing my home. This young man has more integrity than so many people I've worked with! I told him my situation and he was straight forward and completely honest with me that he didn't currently have a helpful solution for me. Wow! When was the last time you had such straight forward honesty from a sales person? He sent me his business card via e-mail and I can guarantee that anyone I happen to know who has a need in an area where Ephrem and his company could be of assistance - I am going to give them his contact information and ask them to let me know about the outcome. We didn't do business. And yet, my Monday has already been made so much better by listening to Ephrem tell me with complete candor about the situation and that I was "set up with the best situation I possibly could be in current market conditions, but that if that ever changed he would contact me". How can you start your week any better? I've made a new friend, he lives in San Diego and he's got a bright future ahead. So bright, he needs to wear shades! Ha! What a pleasure it is to recommend to the Yelp community such a great representative for a company that values our country's veterans. My week has been made and I haven't even had my second cup of coffee. read more

If they are that great why aren't there more reviews? Now I don't know about any other state but I'm speaking about San Diego's location. Sometimes when people receive bad service they just move on because they're so disgusted. I on the other hand, depending on the situation sometimes I don't waste my time with reviews because I'm just so glad to be from underneath the bad organization. However as I told them I will make how I feel about them completely transparent. For them the word "transparent" isn't in their vocabulary. Take heed stay away if things don't work out for you there's no one to blame but yourself I wish I didn't have to give any stars same credit report three loan officers three different loan amounts and they expect me to take them seriously I demonstrated how much I need them. I walked away from their insulting offer and soon as I get established in my new home, I will definitely make an official Complaint to the proper authorities. Their name was ifreedom which shows who they really think about first. Everything is about the name. And they agree with this philosophy or else they would not have changed their name to Veterans. A business tactic to make their company more appealing, however they still put themselves first and none of them are veterans. Anyone who's interested I will show you the pre-qualification LETTERS I will show you the EMAILS read more

Okay so brothers & sisters [BT LPD gator navy of the old days] Veterans, we need to get a few things straight right off the bat. This is not the company to use for any number of reasons but let's start with the basics. I quote from a recent OCC Communication dated 02/03/22 {3 days after Mr. Wehmer CEO\Chairman of Wintrust Mortgage the parent company of this monster stepped down} "The bank has taken unilateral action" let me be clear my home has no valid appraisal when I can find my credit report, literally, the rating is always exceptional [lowest 810 highest 834 FICO] but lately there is no listed Mortgage. It has been transferred to another N.A. (National Association Federally Regulated) of Wintrust in Dallas TX however TX Wintrust has no Registered Agent sole responsibility for Wintrust, and thus Veterans "First" [hereinafter "VFM"], literally LIES in Rosemont IL. In December 2020 VFM wrote me an email offer to refi by way of streamline VAIRRL presently, and since my purchase of a Fannie Mae Homepath Home [FL], my Fixed Rate rate is 3.75 APR the offer was for 2.25% APR and after doing all the math at the end of the day it simply was not worth it. VFM would just profit more from their offer to do the "Streamlined" Interest Rate Reduction Loan (VAIRRL) and the home still would not have a valid appraisal but they assured me that didn't matter to them nor the VA. Watch yourself all things matter & as Veterans we know that. But to some people what they do to us really don't matter. Like presently I paid the taxes\assessments on 11/01/2022 of $331.22 [FL disabled Honorably Discharged P & T Service Connected no Taxes just assessments] & because I also paid into escrow in 12 monthly installments for those assessments, we'd think no biggie they'd send me back my own money, so I'd be made whole. Not a chance in, well you know where. I still can't get the tax money I essentially paid twice back from my own escrow; answer - they don't have to again that letter from the OCC this "bank"\company acts "UNILATERALLY". I paid twice to ensure my home is not sold out from under me because of the negligence that is so pervasive within this Company. Oh did you also not know that the owner of BB&T [Barrington Bank & Trust] sits on the board of directors for this company, well he does. So don't be surprised when you begin seeing things that "just ain't right" & worse when you read things you know are wrong. Sure, you may get the home if you have an exceptional FICO even without a valid appraisal and maybe even the VA will back the loan, I opine they're all in one bed together. In a recent interview Mr Wehmer was quoted as saying "the company was started over cigars, drinks\beers and cards" well heck those are three things my momma told me to stay away from. But it don't end there no not for a second. Let's talk insurance, in fact let's talk FORCE PLACED insurance and even though I paid this too out of pocket while they collected those escrow payments to fund the required Hazard Insurance it took them 2 partial payments to cover $920.00 and the Insurer refused to reliquish my Visa Card Payment of $920 stating the checks from escrow had to clear first. I was born at night just not last night so I promptly filed a chargeback & a day or two later got an email releasing my Visa payment. Still it gets worse six months down the road I get another letter, actually two letters from Springfield OH the office that handles insurance for the company that can't handle anything. They notified me that my insurance had lapsed in the first letter, which I had paid a yearly policy good for seven more months after that letter in the second letter they notified me that my deductible was too high as "5% is required" but as you might guess I can read and I even understand my terms & worse for them I can notify state agencies about frauds being perpetrated upon the citizens. Needless to say 5% deductible on a Homepath home [law requires as does the OCC handbook any asserted insurance need be based off the purchase price at the time of settlement] and because I bought a foreclosure for pennies on the dollar their assertions were nothing more than more poppy cock. But the killer is when they explained to me they were going to purchase insurance on my home for me at a cost that I would surely not appreciate & that it would not cover my home in a manner that my own insurance would. At the end of the day Sister and Brother Veterans if you use this company know I've told you they have no accountability nor accounting. Your peril will soon be apparent and your headaches and heartaches not worth the spit needed to seal your next payment. They've been served process [by my math five (5) times and your right they are presently in a "Court of Competent Jurisdiction" quoting that OCC\Regulator from before Mr. Wehmers stepping Down & the letter written & sent, again unsigned. But also let it be known "Stan" of BB&T is still there & you'll be very very sorry read more

Worst experience in many many years dealing with a Lender that promises the moon but digs a deeper hole to bury their head in and avoid responding to calls. This loan is now 10 weeks into the "process". Both Buyer and Seller have promptly responded to conditional demands only to have another minutia demand thrown back. Having practiced Real Estate since 1985 and as veteran, this mortgage company needs to be stripped of its right to use "Veterans" in their title since they clearly are not working for the veterans. Run as quickly as you can to a reputable mortgage company who does not string you along with false incentives to go with their services! Do not recommend this mortgage company to anyone!!!! read more

Worked with Andrew on our house hunt and had no problems everything went as smooth as expected. Working with Chelsi now on to lower our interest rate and will update once that process is finished if we decide to go with them. read more

We had the unfortunate experience of working with David Hawkes with veterans first one a VA home loan. We were looking to find a better rate with a lender so pike with David. At first he was great, told us he could get us a lower interest rate on the home we were under contract with and also pre approve us for a higher number than the lender we had been working with. We let him know Thursday and Friday that we had a deadline to finalize finances by that Monday evening at 5 pm. We got all the documents in to him Saturday by noon. On Monday I reached out to him asking if he had everything he needed as I had not yet heard from him. He stated he needed a few more things which I immediately sent. His response was that his manager had gone home and he they would review it the next day. I did not receive anything from him until today (Wednesday). He had not followed through with a high pre approval number and had not been diligent in finalizing paperwork on time. He did not answer our calls often and did not call us back. The whole process was completely unprofessional and we took our business elsewhere. I do not recommend veterans first. Go somewhere else. read more

they came to me at a time and in the beginning they were on top and as i got closer to close the numbers were astronomical they wouldn't give me a closing cost till 2 days before close and said i needed 5000 in two days did not show any empathy, compassion, or any type of customers service experience and excuse my language but it was a absolute crap show from beginning to ends. the rep Steve sloan was horrible. he stopped calling and i was in the dark for 90%of my time with them, lied to my Realtor stating i never picked up when he constantly call WILE IM AT WORK. i even talked to his manager and he was rude to me and complexly un apologetic given the circumstances and didn't even want to admit they messed up. i was stress i was gonna be out of a home and on the street and they treated me like garbage. DI I ALSO MENTION THIS IS MY FIRST HOME EVER BUYING. if there were 0 stars i would give that. unprofessional, only cared about taking my money and not even helping me in the slightest and didn't care whether me as a vet would be homeless until they get their stuff together and thats not even the whole story. read more