TLDR version: We had a challenging home search, but the Neat Loans platform smoothed a significant portion of the complexity and our home loan advisor, Paul Gresh, provided us with amazing support every step of the way.
Before I begin my novel about our experience, I will clarify that this is not our first home purchase. Nor our second. Or third. Yet this fourth effort from the very start proved troublesome.
We started in fall 2021 looking at homes near us in California. I'd found Neat Loans through a search of "best home loan lenders" and they appeared on a few different lists so wanted to give them a try. I uploaded our docs to their online platform (SO easy) only to find out later they didn't cover loans for manufactured homes, which comprised the 55+ communities we were looking at. Finding lenders for those homes was not only a drag, but one actually mailed us a packet of application forms to fill out by hand(!).
In January 2022 we switched focus to out of state, where we could get more house and land for much less money. I contacted our previous loan advisor at Neat Loans, Paul Gresh, to confirm they operated in New Mexico, and we were up and running again with no problems.
Except the home search. Anyone who's been shopping lately knows competition is fierce. And the number of people relocating is putting pressure on formerly out-of-the-way places like where we were looking, so every setback could mean significant delays in getting to closing.
We lost out on a few offers and had an accepted offer on a place fall through because of title issues. Through it all, Paul kept us updated about where we were in the loan approval process and, even when there was nothing to report, just checked in with us once a week.
For the house that is now our home, things started well. The sellers accepted our offer within a few days and didn't balk at our contingencies. Even the long list of minor repairs and a couple of renovation projects didn't deter us. But literally two weeks before closing the loan appraiser noted a few things that he deemed safety issues and that was a red flag for the Neat Loans compliance officer. We were on the verge of being homeless in two different states if we couldn't somehow fix the items noted.
Thankfully, we'd already lined up a contractor to begin work the day we closed, so they agreed to shift other projects around to help us get the house. Through all of the tense phone calls and emails around this, Paul was there to mediate, keep things moving on his end should we be able to pull off this miracle, and provide the same empathetic support as always.
Miracles do happen. Despite the work needed, Paul worked with the title company so our closing only pushed out a couple of weeks, and though it was a nailbiter till the moment we got the keys because of two other unforeseen incidents, we appreciate that the least stressful part of most of the process was Neat Loans. Their platform is intuitive and efficient, it cut our in-person closing at the title company down to 30 minutes, and I can't say enough about how helpful and supportive Paul was throughout the process.
I have championed Neat Loans to my colleagues, friends, and family as we've gone through the process and would (and will) recommend them to anyone looking to take the (majority of the) stress out of buying a home.
Calum Kenny
1 year ago
I was helped by Paul Gresh, who was exceedingly responsive, capable and confidence inspiring. Paul helped me to navigate the Neat Loans portal, which provided an efficient, transparent and expedient way of submitting and get the approval for documentation. Paul had close contact with the underwriting team, allowing issues to be solved quickly as they arose. Paul's diligent communication and handling of documentation gave me confidence throughout the entire mortgage process, and his efficiency allowed us to close within 23, rather than 30 days. Would certainly approach again.
Roddy Hibbard
1 year ago
I work next to Neat Loans in Boulder and have watched them grow as a company over the past few years. Was going to refinance my primary home loan and thought I would give them a try. My primary lender was put off by my rather complicated financial picture including multiple rental properties. Paul Gresh and Brianna Nelson of Neat Loans were super friendly and accessible. They helped guide me through the process and the Neat Loans web portal made the whole experience seamless. As a veteran of many loans through multiple lenders, I was highly impressed with Neat. Would definitely recommend them!
Michelle Mellon
11 months ago
TLDR version: We had a challenging home search, but the Neat Loans platform smoothed a significant portion of the complexity and our home loan advisor, Paul Gresh, provided us with amazing support every step of the way.
Before I begin my novel about our experience, I will clarify that this is not our first home purchase. Nor our second. Or third. Yet this fourth effort from the very start proved troublesome.
We started in fall 2021 looking at homes near us in California. I'd found Neat Loans through a search of "best home loan lenders" and they appeared on a few different lists so wanted to give them a try. I uploaded our docs to their online platform (SO easy) only to find out later they didn't cover loans for manufactured homes, which comprised the 55+ communities we were looking at. Finding lenders for those homes was not only a drag, but one actually mailed us a packet of application forms to fill out by hand(!).
In January 2022 we switched focus to out of state, where we could get more house and land for much less money. I contacted our previous loan advisor at Neat Loans, Paul Gresh, to confirm they operated in New Mexico, and we were up and running again with no problems.
Except the home search. Anyone who's been shopping lately knows competition is fierce. And the number of people relocating is putting pressure on formerly out-of-the-way places like where we were looking, so every setback could mean significant delays in getting to closing.
We lost out on a few offers and had an accepted offer on a place fall through because of title issues. Through it all, Paul kept us updated about where we were in the loan approval process and, even when there was nothing to report, just checked in with us once a week.
For the house that is now our home, things started well. The sellers accepted our offer within a few days and didn't balk at our contingencies. Even the long list of minor repairs and a couple of renovation projects didn't deter us. But literally two weeks before closing the loan appraiser noted a few things that he deemed safety issues and that was a red flag for the Neat Loans compliance officer. We were on the verge of being homeless in two different states if we couldn't somehow fix the items noted.
Thankfully, we'd already lined up a contractor to begin work the day we closed, so they agreed to shift other projects around to help us get the house. Through all of the tense phone calls and emails around this, Paul was there to mediate, keep things moving on his end should we be able to pull off this miracle, and provide the same empathetic support as always.
Miracles do happen. Despite the work needed, Paul worked with the title company so our closing only pushed out a couple of weeks, and though it was a nailbiter till the moment we got the keys because of two other unforeseen incidents, we appreciate that the least stressful part of most of the process was Neat Loans. Their platform is intuitive and efficient, it cut our in-person closing at the title company down to 30 minutes, and I can't say enough about how helpful and supportive Paul was throughout the process.
I have championed Neat Loans to my colleagues, friends, and family as we've gone through the process and would (and will) recommend them to anyone looking to take the (majority of the) stress out of buying a home.
Calum Kenny
11 months ago
I was helped by Paul Gresh, who was exceedingly responsive, capable and confidence inspiring. Paul helped me to navigate the Neat Loans portal, which provided an efficient, transparent and expedient way of submitting and get the approval for documentation. Paul had close contact with the underwriting team, allowing issues to be solved quickly as they arose. Paul's diligent communication and handling of documentation gave me confidence throughout the entire mortgage process, and his efficiency allowed us to close within 23, rather than 30 days. Would certainly approach again.
Roddy Hibbard
11 months ago
I work next to Neat Loans in Boulder and have watched them grow as a company over the past few years. Was going to refinance my primary home loan and thought I would give them a try. My primary lender was put off by my rather complicated financial picture including multiple rental properties. Paul Gresh and Brianna Nelson of Neat Loans were super friendly and accessible. They helped guide me through the process and the Neat Loans web portal made the whole experience seamless. As a veteran of many loans through multiple lenders, I was highly impressed with Neat. Would definitely recommend them!
Michelle Mellon
1 year ago
Calum Kenny
1 year ago
Roddy Hibbard
1 year ago
Michelle Mellon
11 months ago
Calum Kenny
11 months ago
Roddy Hibbard
11 months ago