Mortgage Lender Lake Forest, CA | theLender

Not just any lender, theLender!

At theLender, we know everyone’s financial journey is unique. That’s why we’ve developed loan products with your specific goals in mind. If a lender that truly aligns with your vision is what you seek, you’ve found us!

theLender is proud to be recognized as fastest growing real estate company in the U.S. for 2022 by Inc. Magazine

Short-Term Rental DSCR Loans

The most ambitious vacation rental loan ever created.

No personal income needed with as little as 15% DOWN. 

Self-Employed Bank Statement Loans

Qualify based on the cashflow from your bank statements; NO W2, Paystub or Tax Returns needed.

Purchase

Are you ready to buy a home but don’t know where to start? Answer a few quick questions and we’ll take care of the rest.

Refinance

Whether you want to save on payments or take cash out, we have the solutions to fit your needs.

Everything is Easy With theLender

At theLender, we specialize in making what can be a completed process of securing home financing easy. Whether you’re purchasing or refinancing, we have the products you need to reach your goals.

Not sure where to start?

Book a quick call with one of our mortgage analysts to help get the process started.

theLender Advantage

TheLender blends streamlined technologies with a dedicated team of professionals to deliver a smooth process with results you can trust.

Apply

The combination of our tech and experienced team will ensure you get through the process swiftly.

Approval

Our process is streamlined to keep us on track and meet your closing timeline. You can expect our team to be there every step of the way.

Closing

You’re almost done! After you sign your closing docs, our team will move fast to get you closed.

See what our clients are saying about their experience with theLender

The Lender is a top-notch organization. I’ve processed many loans with other companies in the past and have been consistently let down. Not this time. These guys continued to surprise me! They under promise and over deliver.
Kris R.
I had my first experience working with The Lender when they saved a loan at the last minute that another lender dropped the ball on. My overall experience with them was extremely positive. I've worked with several lenders in my time processing and they stood out to be very professional and timely. Tiffany Friedman was especially great! She ensured everything went smoothly and gave us as well as the client a positive turnaround. Look forward to working more with them in the future!
Karena Kessler
If you are looking for a Lender that will provide the customer experience and go above and beyond to assist you with home lending needs then you need to try theLender. Their communication is outstanding and their programs competitive. I highly recommend theLender.
Nadia L.
My experience working with the lender was hands down the smoothest process to date. My AE and his team were efficient and professional. Moving forward I am confident in choosing The Lender.
Katey K.
The products that they offer their customers are some of the best in the industry.
Margaret N.
theLender was amazing! Such a great experience with everyone we spoke with. Quick close and with great service! Thanks for making our journey a great one! Highly recommended!!
Jarrett K.
Fantastic service. Industry experts who know their products in and out. I have been in the industry for 25 years and have yet to find a company that offers the products, and has the knowledge their staff has. Haven’t found a better lender to do business with.
Chad H.
theLender is the best in the business. NONI APPROVED. Use theLender you cannot go wrong. Top notch and very professional.
Liss B.
I refinanced 2 properties with theLender and was very happy with the result. Great experience with the team who assisted me!
Bobback T.
Everyones situation is different. Around December 2021 is when we were looking for a loan. This was right at the time when 15% DSCR loans were suddenly becoming scarce. We found theLender through online search and saw that reviews were overwhelmingly positive so we went with them for a 20% DSCR. I had already been in several discussions with other mortgage companies. All offers I was receiving were in the same ballpark for rates and costs. In the end, we found theLender to be super competitive in pricing. Their online system has matured and is not cumbersome in any way. And lastly, a very special thanks and kudos to our loan officer Len Hamilton and the documentation expert Monica Olmos. These two professionals were very courteous, knowledgeable, and they both were continually fast in responses. I am hoping to be contacting theLender again for another real-estate investment purchase!
John Coogan
I found the Lender to have an outstanding team that is customer service oriented. I appreciate their promptness and speed from beginning to end. It is easy to get in touch with a live person as they answer the phone and are extremely approachable and solution oriented with challenging files. For investment loans, I Highly recommend to ANYONE wanting to get into the investment property arena. This place makes it so simple, fast and enjoyable. Great vibe and energy all the way around. Thank you for a great experience!
Marilyn Sanchez
Donald Deaton and his team at theLender are THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS!!!! Wild story… At the end of last summer (during the craze), my wife and I got a pre-approval from another mortgage company. Alas, we found the home we wanted and built a nice rapport with the sellers – enough that they chose us! To our dismay, after already getting pre-approved, the mortgage company inexplicably reversed their decision on our loan roughly a week into underwriting. I had 700+ credit and made six figures (still do). My wife and I panicked as we were on the verge of losing our dream home. In desperation, I reached out to a friend who retired from the mortgage business and asked for his help. He told me that the most reliable group he knew was theLender, then he referred us to them. Wow, did we get lucky!! When I connected with Donny, he was incredibly knowledgeable and practical. He didn’t over-promise anything. He knew we were up against the clock to get our loan approved and closed. He walked us through the entire process and emphasized how long each phase could/would take. Donny and his team were thorough but efficient. THEY CARED!! We ended up closing on our loan in UNDER 30 DAYS!! I’m delighted to report that we are living in the home we dreamed of thanks to Donny and his team. They literally saved our mortgage. To cap it all off, we could have easily been just a number (or commission) to Donny and I would have understood if we didn’t hear from him again after the deal was done. But to his credit, Donny followed up multiple times afterward to congratulate us and see how things were going with our new home. It was awesome to know he cares on a personal level. If you are looking for a mortgage company and loan team, I CANNOT GIVE A STRONGER RECOMMENDATION FOR DONALD DEATON AT theLender. Donny will get your loan closed fast and he will do it with integrity and class from start to finish!!!!
Jason Tilton
I found the Lender to have an outstanding team that is customer service oriented. I appreciate their promptness and speed from beginning to end. It is easy to get in touch with a live person as they answer the phone and are extremely approachable and solution oriented with challenging files. For investment loans, I Highly recommend to ANYONE wanting to get into the investment property arena. This place makes it so simple, fast and enjoyable. Great vibe and energy all the way around. Thank you for a great experience!
Marilyn Sanchez
Donald Deaton and his team at theLender are THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS!!!! Wild story… At the end of last summer (during the craze), my wife and I got a pre-approval from another mortgage company. Alas, we found the home we wanted and built a nice rapport with the sellers – enough that they chose us! To our dismay, after already getting pre-approved, the mortgage company inexplicably reversed their decision on our loan roughly a week into underwriting. I had 700+ credit and made six figures (still do). My wife and I panicked as we were on the verge of losing our dream home. In desperation, I reached out to a friend who retired from the mortgage business and asked for his help. He told me that the most reliable group he knew was theLender, then he referred us to them. Wow, did we get lucky!! When I connected with Donny, he was incredibly knowledgeable and practical. He didn’t over-promise anything. He knew we were up against the clock to get our loan approved and closed. He walked us through the entire process and emphasized how long each phase could/would take. Donny and his team were thorough but efficient. THEY CARED!! We ended up closing on our loan in UNDER 30 DAYS!! I’m delighted to report that we are living in the home we dreamed of thanks to Donny and his team. They literally saved our mortgage. To cap it all off, we could have easily been just a number (or commission) to Donny and I would have understood if we didn’t hear from him again after the deal was done. But to his credit, Donny followed up multiple times afterward to congratulate us and see how things were going with our new home. It was awesome to know he cares on a personal level. If you are looking for a mortgage company and loan team, I CANNOT GIVE A STRONGER RECOMMENDATION FOR DONALD DEATON AT theLender. Donny will get your loan closed fast and he will do it with integrity and class from start to finish!!!!
Jason Tilton

Let us give you the experience so many of our customers have enjoyed by allowing our team to help you achieve your home financing goals.