Smarter mortgage decisions, built around your next move.

EstaR Mortgage is an independent mortgage broker, not a bank. As a broker, we shop each loan across more than 30 wholesale lenders to find the program and rate that fits your situation. Banks can only offer their own in-house products, so the rate they quote is the only rate they have. As a broker we compare options side-by-side and present the best fit. Our brokerage is licensed in California, Oregon, and Washington (NMLS #1547521), and broker/owner Chris Freck is individually licensed under NMLS #241125.

Initial consultations are completely free, with no obligation and no upfront fees. We will review your situation, run scenarios, and answer questions before you decide whether to apply. When you do move forward, broker compensation is paid by the wholesale lender — not by you out of pocket — and is fully disclosed in writing on your Loan Estimate before you commit. There are no surprise fees and no charge for getting a rate quote or pre-approval letter from our team.

Yes. EstaR Mortgage is licensed to originate loans in California, Oregon, and Washington. While our office is in Alameda, CA and many clients are in the Bay Area (Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont, San Leandro, and surrounding cities), we routinely close loans for clients across all three states through phone, video, and secure online document signing. There is no requirement to meet in person — most of our clients complete the entire process remotely.

Most pre-approvals are issued within 24–48 hours once we have your documents (typically last two pay stubs, last two months of bank statements, last two years of W-2s or tax returns, and ID). For time-sensitive offers we can issue a conditional pre-approval the same day based on stated information, then finalize with verified documents. A pre-approval letter strengthens your offer because it shows sellers and listing agents that a licensed lender has reviewed your finances and is prepared to lend, subject to property appraisal and final underwriting.

A reverse mortgage — most commonly a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) insured by FHA — lets homeowners age 62 or older access a portion of their home equity as tax-free funds without making monthly mortgage payments. The loan is repaid when the borrower sells the home, moves out permanently, or passes away. To qualify, you must occupy the home as your primary residence, have substantial home equity, and meet a financial assessment confirming you can pay property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. EstaR's Chris Freck is a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP) — one of fewer than 200 nationwide — and has specialized in this product for over two decades.

Our fastest purchase close on record was 6 days from contract to keys. Most purchase loans close in 21–30 days, which is at the fast end of the industry average. Rate-and-term refinances typically close in 30–35 days, and cash-out refinances and reverse mortgages run 30–45 days because of the additional appraisal and counseling requirements. The biggest factors that determine speed are how quickly you provide documents and how fast the appraisal can be scheduled in your area. We use secure online document delivery to keep things moving without paperwork delays.