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New Reviewer

Failed to do Refi : Appraisal fees charged

Very shady deals by Optimum First Inc. I submitted my tons of documents for Refi on 2 properties to Tiffany , She has provided me rate lock with Loan Estimate. My credit card was charged for $600 + $600 Total $1200 for appraisal fees. At the end the optimum fist mortgage failed to do re fi.

User's recommendation: beware about Optimum First Mortgage.

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1 comment
#1853960

This person is trying to blackmail my company for a refund from 2016 we never agreed to because they didn’t qualify. I have proof that they stated they’re blackmailing us for money because they “need it”

ID
#1885138 Review #1885138 is a subjective opinion of poster.
Pros
  • Good talking
Cons
  • Failed to provide you the solution and good con agent
Loss
$1200
Preferred solution
Full refund
New Reviewer

Great knowledgeable underwriters Thank You Leanne Conroy and all processing group great work will be using you again soon James Owen Homeguard funding

Great working with you and your underwriters
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ID
#1620458 Review #1620458 is a subjective opinion of poster.
Location
Penetanguishene, Ontario
Reason of review
Good customer service
New Reviewer

Optimum First is a Good Company

I was too hasty in my criticism of Brandon. He responded to my e-mail, saying that he had been out sick the day that I e-mailed him. I cannot judge him for being ill and I have been unfair by being too impatient. Brandon is a sharp guy, willing to help his clients as much as possible. Also, the company is being overrun with a swarm of people eager to refinance now while the rates are at historical lows. In Brandon's absence, I contacted another agent named Kenneth To who was very helpful. He explained the terms of the various loan offers very with a high degree of clarity, precision and accuracy. I plan to work with him as my loan officer at Optimum. I think this is a good company.
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ID
#1558488 Review #1558488 is a subjective opinion of poster.
Reason of review
Fair pricing
New Reviewer

Unresponsive Loan Officer

I requested an online loan rate quote and, almost immediately, got a call back from Optimum Loan agent Brandon Castaneda. He was very proud of Optimum's having the best rates and described its no-cost refinancing option if rates decrease after six months. For my loan, the rate would have to decrease by 0.5% to qualify. I told him I had a loan processing with another provider and would get back to him. Four days later, I wrote him, asking for the loan offer in writing that he had given me. No response. The next day, I received an e-mail from him, saying that, if I had any questions, to let him know. I responded that I had asked him for a written loan offer. It's been a two days with no response, apparently, not having seen the e-mail I had sent him. If this is typical of Optimum's customer service, I have to agree with the negative reviews. Too bad this one non-responsive loan officer shook my faith in the Optimum's ability to get the loan done. Even though my pending rate lock is at a higher rate than Optimum's, it looks a whole lot better in light Optimum's poor customer service: ignoring me even before I had applied with them. In contrast, the loan officer with my pending application at another company has expressed a solid confidence in his ability to get the loan done. How much worse would Optimum be after winning my business because then it would have even less incentive to provide good customer service. The loan agent was saying I should lock in with a no-cost loan now at a slightly higher rate, wait six months and that I could then refi cost-free at a lower rate, "almost guaranteed 1/4th to 1/2 percent less" because he thought rates would fall this winter and I could then refinance without taking cash out. I researched its cost-free refinance offer. The last condition of several conditions says that Optimum can change its terms at any time. That makes the whole no-cost refi offer unreliable if Optimum can decide to end it at any time.
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1 comment
#1700903

I am sorry about your experience with Brandon Castaneda. This is very unlike anything we tolerate at my company.

We fund hundreds of loans monthly and have over 3000 positive reviews online. We pride ourselves on having the lowest rates, giving the best deal and getting loans funded that other companies can not. We have built a reputation in the industry as be the most competitive lender with the best customer service. Again I apologize for Brandon's lack of communication.

Please allow me to pay for your appraisal and align you with one of our top loan officers that have been with the company for over 10 years. Please email me back at robert@***.com.

ID
#1548761 Review #1548761 is a subjective opinion of poster.
Location
North Coast, California
Reason of review
Poor customer service
Preferred solution
Let the company propose a solution
New Reviewer

TERRIBLE REPS AND RESPECT IS ZERO FOR HOMEOWNERS