LRG LendingYour best interest is our top priority.

Home loans with a partner in your corner.

We shop lenders on your behalf, explain every number in plain language, and stay with you from pre-approval to the day you get the keys.

Start your pre-approval Estimate a payment

Access to many wholesale lenders Local, responsive loan team No-cost pre-approval

Where to start

Whatever stage you're at, we'll meet you there.

Create a budget

Find a monthly house payment that fits your life, then save your plan to Excel.

Budget planner →

Learn the basics

Plain-English guides on pre-approval, rate locks, down payments and more.

Read the blog →

Run the numbers

See your full monthly payment with taxes, insurance, PMI and HOA dues included.

Payment calculator →

Find your loan

Conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, USDA, HUD 184, bank statement and non-QM, DSCR, refinance and reverse mortgage options from many lenders.

Loan programs →

How it works

Four steps from first call to closing.

What clients say

5.0 stars from 83 Google reviews.

Read reviews

From the blog

Straight answers about buying and borrowing.

All articles

For loan officers

Build your book with a partner, not a quota.

We're growing a team of licensed originators who want broker pricing, real support and room to run their own business.

Explore joining LRG Lending

Competitive, transparent compensation
Dedicated processing and ops support
LOS, pricing engine and CRM from day one
Your relationships stay yours

Purchase calculator

See the whole payment, not just principal & interest.

Taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance and HOA dues can add hundreds a month. Change any figure and the breakdown updates instantly.

Home price

$

Loan type

Loan term

First-time homebuyer?

Yes No

Minimum 5% down for Conventional Loans if not a first-time homebuyer; 3% for first-time homebuyers.

Down payment

$

%

Interest rate

%

Property tax rate

% / yr

Varies by county and assessments

Homeowners insurance

$/ yr

Estimated at 0.30% of price per year

Mortgage insurance

—

HOA dues

$/ mo

Total monthly payment

$0

APR*—

Loan-to-value—

Total interest—

Payoff date—

*Pricing assumptions

Rate and APR are based on the assumptions above and do not change when you adjust the price, down payment or other inputs. These numbers are estimates for illustration only. For a customized quote based on your financial situation, talk with one of our loan officers. Not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Your actual rate, APR, payment and costs depend on credit, property, loan program and market conditions at the time you lock.

Get a real quote for these numbers

Principal & interest

The loan repayment itself, based on loan amount, rate and term. Early payments are mostly interest.

Taxes & insurance

Usually collected monthly into an escrow account and paid on your behalf when due.

Mortgage insurance

Conventional loans with under 20% down carry PMI that can be removed as you build equity. FHA loans carry upfront and annual MIP. VA loans have a funding fee instead of monthly MI.

Refinance calculator

Will a refinance actually pay off?

Compare your current loan with a new one. See your new payment, monthly savings, break-even point, and the cash or debt payoff a refinance could free up.

Your current loan

Home value

$

Current loan balance

$

Current interest rate

%

Years remaining

yrs

Your new loan

New interest rate

%

New loan term

Closing costs

$

Estimated at 3% of the new loan

Roll closing costs into the loan

Monthly savings

$0

Current P&I

New P&I

*Pricing assumptions

Payments shown are principal and interest only; property taxes, insurance and HOA dues are assumed unchanged. These numbers are estimates for illustration only. For a customized quote based on your financial situation, talk with one of our loan officers. Not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Your actual rate, APR, payment and costs depend on credit, property, loan program and market conditions at the time you lock.

Get a real refinance quote

Loan programs

The right loan, from the right lender.

As a broker we compare pricing and guidelines across many wholesale lenders, so you aren't limited to one bank's menu.

From 3% down

Conventional

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans with flexible down payment options.

PMI removable as equity grows
Fixed and adjustable terms
Primary, second home and investment

Learn about conventional loans →

From 3.5% down

FHA

Government-insured financing with more forgiving credit guidelines.

Popular with first-time buyers
Gift funds allowed for down payment
Streamline refinance available

Learn about FHA loans →

No down payment

VA

For eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses.

No monthly mortgage insurance
Competitive rates
IRRRL refinance option

Learn about VA loans →

High balance

Jumbo

Financing above conforming limits for higher-priced homes.

Fixed and ARM options
Options for strong-asset borrowers

Learn about jumbo loans →

No down payment

USDA

Zero-down financing for homes in eligible rural and suburban areas, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Household income limits apply
Primary residences only
Many communities outside major cities qualify

Learn about USDA loans →

From 2.25% down

HUD Section 184

A HUD-guaranteed home loan for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska Natives.

Low down payment and flexible underwriting
No monthly PMI; low guarantee fees instead
Available on and off tribal lands in approved areas

Learn about HUD 184 →

Self-employed

Bank statement & non-QM

Qualify using bank deposits, assets or rental income when tax returns don't tell the full story.

12–24 month bank statement programs
Asset depletion and 1099 income options

Learn about non-QM loans →

Investors

DSCR

Qualify for an investment property using its rental income (debt service coverage ratio) instead of your personal income.

No tax returns or pay stubs required
Close in your name or an LLC
1–4 unit and short-term rental options

Learn about DSCR loans →

Rate · term · cash-out

Refinance

Reduce your rate, shorten your term, drop mortgage insurance or tap equity.

Debt consolidation
Renovation funding

Refinance options →Home equity loans →Run the numbers →

Age 62+

Reverse mortgage (HECM)

Turn part of your home equity into cash with no required monthly mortgage payment, while you keep ownership and continue living in your home. You remain responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance and upkeep.

Take funds as a lump sum, monthly payments or a line of credit
Pay off an existing mortgage to free up monthly cash flow
HECM for Purchase: buy a new home using a reverse mortgage
FHA-insured, with independent HUD-approved counseling required before you apply
Learn about reverse mortgages →

Down payment assistance

Help with your down payment and closing costs

These programs can lower the cash you need to buy. Terms, income limits and availability change, so we’ll confirm which ones you qualify for.

California

CalHFA programs

The California Housing Finance Agency pairs its own first mortgages with down payment and closing cost help.

MyHome Assistance

A deferred-payment second loan of up to 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (conventional) of the price or appraised value, whichever is less. For first-time buyers within CalHFA income limits.

Dream For All

Up to 20% of the price (up to $150,000) for down payment and closing costs. You repay the original amount plus a share of the home’s appreciation when you sell, refinance or pay off the loan. For first-generation, first-time buyers; vouchers are awarded by drawing in funding rounds.

ZIP with CalPLUS

A zero-interest loan for closing costs, paired with a CalPLUS FHA or conventional first mortgage.

CalHFA programs are for a primary residence and require homebuyer education from a CalHFA-accepted provider. See CalHFA programs ↗

Click n’ Close

SmartBuy

A down payment assistance second loan paired with an FHA or USDA 30-year fixed first mortgage. Funds can go toward your down payment, closing costs or a rate buydown.

Forgivable option, forgiven after five years
Or a repayable 10-year second loan
No first-time buyer requirement and no income limits

Fannie Mae

HomeReady® and 97% LTV

Conventional loans with as little as 3% down.

HomeReady: for buyers earning up to 80% of the area median income; first-time buyers don’t have to apply
97% LTV: no income limit when at least one buyer is a first-time homebuyer
Mortgage insurance can be removed as you build equity

Freddie Mac

Home Possible® and HomeOne®

Conventional loans with as little as 3% down.

Home Possible: for buyers earning up to 80% of the area median income
HomeOne: no income limit when at least one buyer is a first-time homebuyer
Mortgage insurance can be removed as you build equity

Some programs require a free homebuyer education course. See the courses we recommend or book a free consultation to find out which programs fit you.

How it works

Four steps from first call to closing.

Common questions

Good to know before you apply.

What's the benefit of using a mortgage broker?

A broker can compare rates and guidelines across many lenders at once. If one lender says no or prices poorly, we can move your file to another without you starting over.

Does getting pre-approved hurt my credit?

A pre-approval involves a credit check, but multiple mortgage inquiries within a short shopping window are generally treated as a single inquiry for scoring purposes.

How long does it take to close?

On average, loans for well-qualified borrowers are ready to close in less than 21 days. Timing can vary with loan type, appraisal scheduling and how quickly documents come in.

What documents will I need?

Typically recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, two months of bank statements and a photo ID. Self-employed borrowers may provide bank statements instead.

First-time homebuyers

Your first home, one step at a time.

Buying your first home is a big step. Here is how the process works, the free homebuyer courses we recommend, and the tools we point every first-time buyer to.

Schedule a free consultation Estimate a payment

How it works

The homebuying process, step by step

Most buyers move through these eight steps. We guide you through every one.

1
Create a budget
Before you look at homes, decide what you want to spend each month. Our homebuyer budget planner walks you through your income, spending and savings, shows a house payment that leaves room for the rest of your life, and lets you save your plan as an Excel file.
Open the budget planner →
2
Take a free homebuyer education course
Some first-time buyer loans require a homebuyer education certificate, and every buyer benefits from one. Both courses are free, online and self-paced:
- Fannie Mae HomeView ↗
- Freddie Mac CreditSmart Homebuyer U ↗
Ask us which certificate your loan needs before you start. More about each course below ↓
3
Get pre-approved
We review your income, assets and credit and issue a pre-approval letter that shows sellers you are ready to buy. Gather your last 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s (or tax returns if you are self-employed), two months of bank statements and a photo ID. Learn why pre-approval matters.
4
Find an agent and shop for homes
Work with a real estate agent who knows your area, and shop within your pre-approved budget. Don’t have an agent yet? We can refer you to agents we’ve vetted for their production, customer service and knowledge of the area where you’re buying. Ask us for a referral. Before you fall in love with a home, check its property taxes, HOA dues and insurance costs so your payment holds no surprises.
5
Make an offer
Your agent helps you write the offer. Expect to put down an earnest money deposit, and ask about contingencies for inspection, appraisal and financing, which can protect your deposit if something goes wrong.
6
Lock your rate and update documents
Once you are in contract, we compare lenders and lock with the one that best fits your needs. You will receive a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application. See how to read it.
7
Inspection, appraisal and underwriting
Schedule your home inspection, and the lender orders an appraisal. Answer underwriting requests quickly. Until closing, avoid opening new credit, changing jobs or making large deposits you can’t document.
8
Closing day
You will receive your Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. Compare it with your Loan Estimate, then sign, fund and get your keys. Always confirm wiring instructions by calling us at a number you already know. Never trust wiring changes sent by email.

Free homebuyer education

Courses accepted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Each course is free, online and self-paced, and ends with a certificate. Your loan program decides which one you need, so check with us before you start.

Fannie Mae

HomeView®

Fannie Mae’s free course covers budgeting, credit, the mortgage process and life as a homeowner, in six modules. Available in English and Spanish. Score 80% or higher on the final assessment to earn your certificate.

Meets Fannie Mae’s homeownership education requirement, including HomeReady loans and purchases above 95% loan-to-value when all borrowers are first-time buyers.

Start HomeView ↗

Freddie Mac

CreditSmart® Homebuyer U

Freddie Mac’s free course walks you through budgeting, credit, shopping for a home and closing, in six self-paced modules. You receive a certificate of completion when you finish.

Meets Freddie Mac’s homebuyer education requirement for Home Possible® and HomeOne® mortgages.

Start Homebuyer U ↗

HUD

HUD-approved housing counseling

Prefer to talk with a person? HUD-approved housing counseling agencies offer free or low-cost one-on-one guidance on budgeting, credit and buying a home.

Counseling from a HUD-approved agency completed before closing also satisfies Fannie Mae’s education requirement. Some down payment assistance programs require it.

Find a counselor ↗

Tools & resources

Helpful tools for first-time buyers

Trusted, free resources from government agencies and the loan programs themselves.

Homebuyer budget plannerFind a comfortable house payment and price range, then export your plan to Excel.Open →Free credit reportsAnnualCreditReport.com, the official site for free reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.Open site ↗Buying a house (CFPB)The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s step-by-step guide and tools for homebuyers.Open site ↗Your Home Loan ToolkitA free CFPB guide to shopping for a mortgage and understanding your closing costs.Open site ↗CalHFA homebuyer programsCalifornia Housing Finance Agency first mortgage and down payment assistance programs.Open site ↗Fannie Mae HomeReadyLow down payment conventional loans for buyers with moderate incomes.Open site ↗USDA property eligibilityCheck whether a home qualifies for a zero-down USDA loan.Open site ↗HUD housing counselingFind a HUD-approved housing counselor for free or low-cost one-on-one help.Open site ↗

Our first-time buyer guides

You may need less down payment than you think →Pre-qualified vs. pre-approved →What goes into your monthly payment →FHA loans →Conventional loans →USDA loans →Down payment assistance programs →

Step three starts here

Ready to get pre-approved?

Book a free consultation. We’ll review your goals, explain your options and tell you exactly which documents to gather. No credit pull to start.

Schedule my call →

← First-time buyers

Homebuyer budget planner

Find a house payment that fits your life.

Three quick steps: what comes in, what goes out, and what you have saved. We’ll show a comfortable monthly payment and the price range it supports.

Example numbers are filled in so you can see how it works. Replace them with your own.

1

Money coming in

Monthly take-home pay, after taxes and deductions.

$0

2

Money going out

Your typical monthly spending, not counting rent. Your new house payment will replace it.

$0

3

Savings for your home

Cash for your down payment and closing costs.

Cash saved for buying a home

$

Keep in savings after closing

$

An emergency fund you won’t touch

First-time homebuyer?

Yes No

First-time buyers can put as little as 3% down on a conventional loan.

Planned down payment

Set aside first: 20% of your take-home pay

Emergency fund, retirement savings and charitable donations$0per month

We set this aside before suggesting a house payment, so your plan always leaves room for your emergency fund, retirement and giving.

Client reviews

Real families. Real closings.

Every review below is copied word for word from our Google and Yelp pages. Reviews posted on both sites are shown once.

5.0

★★★★★83 Google reviews

41

reviews on Yelp

Leave us a Google review See the Gallery of Joy

Joy, the Lewis family's Maltese Shih Tzu

Gallery of Joy

The best part of our job.

Named after Joy, our Mascot and Chief Happiness Officer. Here are closing-day smiles from families we've helped home. Tap a photo to see it larger, along with their review when they wrote one.

Read all 83 on Google Read all 41 on Yelp

The LRG Lending Journal

Straight answers about buying and borrowing.

Practical guides from our loan team.

About us

Twenty-two years of helping families come home.

LRG Lending was built on a simple idea: treat every client like a neighbor, and every loan like it's for family.

Carl Lewis, President and CEO of LRG Lending

22 years in lending

Carl LewisPresident / CEO, LRG Lending
NMLS 666574 · DRE 01968382

Meet Carl

I've seen lending from every side of the table.

I'm Carl Lewis, and I've spent the last 22 years in mortgage lending. I started in banking, where I spent eight years learning how loans are built from the inside out. From there I spent three years in direct lending, then went independent as a mortgage broker, which I've now been doing for eleven years.

Becoming a broker changed the way I serve people. Instead of fitting every client into one lender's box, I can shop the market and match each borrower with the lender and loan that truly fit their situation, whether that's the lowest rate, the lowest cost, the right guidelines or the smoothest timeline.

At LRG Lending, our loan officers share that same belief: the right loan starts with really listening.

22 years, three sides of the business

8 yrsBanking

3 yrsDirect lending

11 yrsIndependent mortgage broker, leading LRG Lending

Beyond the office

Family first. Community always.

My favorite title? Dance Dad.

When I'm not helping clients, I'm with my beautiful wife, Negin, and our daughter. Most weekends you'll find me in the audience cheering her on, the loudest one there and a proud Dance Dad. Family is the reason I do this work, and it's why I treat every client's home like it matters as much as my own.

Giving back is part of the job.

We believe a mortgage company should make its community stronger. Our team loves to give back and serve the people around us, from supporting local organizations to showing up for neighbors when they need it most. Helping someone buy a home is a big part of that, but it's not the only part.

What we stand for

How we work with every client.

Partnership

You're not a file number. We stay with you from the first conversation to the closing table and beyond.

Straight talk

Clear numbers, honest advice and no surprises, even when the answer isn't the one you hoped for.

Service

Serving our clients and our community is why we're here, and it shapes every decision we make.

Careers for loan officers

Build your book with a partner, not a quota.

LRG Lending is growing a team of licensed originators who want broker pricing, real support and the freedom to run their own business.

Start a confidential conversation

Competitive compensation

Transparent comp plans with broker-level pricing across a deep wholesale lender lineup.

Processing & ops support

Dedicated processing so you spend your time with borrowers and referral partners.

Modern tech stack

LOS, pricing engine, CRM and co-branded marketing ready on day one.

Your brand, our backing

Keep your relationships and your name in front of clients, with compliance and licensing support behind you.

Why brokers win

Retail Bank vs. LRG Lending

	Retail Bank	LRG Lending
Product shelf	One lender's programs	Many wholesale lenders
Pricing	Retail rate sheet	Wholesale pricing
When a file gets declined	Start over somewhere else	Move it to another lender
Non-QM and niche loans	Often limited	Bank statement, DSCR, asset-based
Your client relationships	Belong to the bank	Stay with you

Let's talk

A conversation, not a sales pitch.

Tell us a little about your business and what you want in your next shop. Everything you share stays confidential. A member of leadership will reach out personally.

“The best loan officers want three things: transparency, better pricing for their clients and fewer obstacles getting to the closing table. That's what we're built to provide.”LRG Lending leadership

Start a confidential conversation

Takes about a minute.

← Back to the hub

Coaching with Carl

Coaching for our loan officers.

Videos, scripts, loan scenarios and tips to help you serve clients and grow your business.

Loading coaching content…

Get started

Ready when you are.

Whether you're browsing listings or already in contract, a short conversation now can save you money later.

Reach our team

Phone(916) 758-8000

EmailTeam@LRGLending.com

Office2140 Professional Drive, Ste 130
Roseville, CA 95661

HoursMon–Fri 8am–6pm · Sat by appointment

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Pick a time on our calendar

Choose a time that fits your schedule, and a loan officer will call you to review your goals, answer questions and explain which documents to gather. No credit pull to start.

How would you like to start?

If you'd like to start an application, click Start an Application. If you'd like to schedule a call first, click Schedule a call.

Start an Application →

Opens our secure online application in a new tab.

Schedule a call →

A free, no-pressure 15-minute call with a loan officer
Talk through your goals, budget and timeline
Leave knowing which documents to gather

Opens our scheduling calendar in a new tab. Prefer to talk now? Call (916) 758-8000.

Home loans with a partner in your corner.

Whatever stage you're at, we'll meet you there.

Create a budget

Learn the basics

Run the numbers

Find your loan

Four steps from first call to closing.

5.0 stars from 83 Google reviews.

Straight answers about buying and borrowing.

Build your book with a partner, not a quota.

See the whole payment, not just principal & interest.

Principal & interest

Taxes & insurance

Mortgage insurance

Will a refinance actually pay off?

The right loan, from the right lender.

Conventional

FHA

VA

Jumbo

USDA

HUD Section 184

Bank statement & non-QM

DSCR

Refinance

Reverse mortgage (HECM)

Help with your down payment and closing costs

CalHFA programs

MyHome Assistance

Dream For All

ZIP with CalPLUS

SmartBuy

HomeReady® and 97% LTV

Home Possible® and HomeOne®

Four steps from first call to closing.

Good to know before you apply.

Your first home, one step at a time.

The homebuying process, step by step

Create a budget

Take a free homebuyer education course

Get pre-approved

Find an agent and shop for homes

Make an offer

Lock your rate and update documents

Inspection, appraisal and underwriting

Closing day

Courses accepted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

HomeView®

CreditSmart® Homebuyer U

HUD-approved housing counseling

Helpful tools for first-time buyers

Our first-time buyer guides

Ready to get pre-approved?

Find a house payment that fits your life.

Money coming in

Money going out

Savings for your home

Real families. Real closings.

The best part of our job.

Straight answers about buying and borrowing.

Twenty-two years of helping families come home.

I've seen lending from every side of the table.

Family first. Community always.

My favorite title? Dance Dad.

Giving back is part of the job.

How we work with every client.

Partnership

Straight talk

Service

Build your book with a partner, not a quota.

Competitive compensation

Processing & ops support

Modern tech stack

Your brand, our backing

Retail Bank vs. LRG Lending

A conversation, not a sales pitch.

Start a confidential conversation

Sign in to LRG Lending Connect

Everything you need, in one place.

Your tools