Welcome to Honest Mortgage, Inc.

Based in Ithaca, NE
Licensed in Nebraska, Iowa, and Virginia

Educational Videos


These 4 videos (1 video has 2 parts) will explain why our rates are low, and how to shop for and compare quotes from different companies. Additionally, learn how to verify if we (or any other company) are properly licensed or not. Finally, learn the basics of the pre-qualification process.



About Us

How we are different:

1. Lower closing costs at the same rate
Example: Compared to Chase, US Bank, and Wells Fargo, on a $200,000 loan, our closing costs are about $3,000 less . $300,000 loan, $4,500 less , etc. The most we've ever beaten someone by is $10,000 .

How is this possible? Two reasons: 1 is the difference between wholesale and retail lending. If a loan officer at a retail lender does something really egregious like forge someone's pay stubs and gets caught, the lender is on the hook for his behavior. If we forge someone's pay stubs, the lender is not on the hook. That liability has shifted to us, the broker. By being subject to less liability, a wholesale lender can offer the same loan at less cost. 2 is our fee . On normal loans, we charge 1.5% of the loan amount. The maximum allowed by federal regulation is 3%. So you could be talking to another broker who is also in the wholesale lending space, quoting you the exact same lender because that lender was the best deal that day. But if they're charging 3% and we're charging 1.5%, we still beat them by that same margin. If that sounds too good to be true, see the "Licensing info" video above to verify licensing.

If you'd like a rate quote, we do not require a credit pull, loan application, or documentation. Call or e-mail, and we will tell you the information we need.

2. Higher debt-to-income ratios than bank lenders (we work with non-bank lenders)
Example: A couple making $80,000/year combined, with a $500/month car note and $200/month student loan, Conventional, 5% down, 6.0% rate, 600/mth taxes + insurance: With a 50%/50% DTI cap, we can pre-approve up to a $340,000 purchase price. A bank with a 36%/45% DTI cap can only go to $285,000 . Same couple, no debts other than the new mortgage: We can pre-approve up to $460,000 , 36%/45% lender is capped at $303,000 .
This is not an advertisement, promise, or even an implication that you will qualify for a 6.0% rate. Your rate will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to the following: The state of the global financial markets, your personal credit score, down payment, occupancy, and term.

3. We typically start with a soft credit pull so your scores are not affected
We also make suggestions to improve your credit score in the short run. An improvement of 20 points on a Conventional $200,000 loan can easily translate into a $250-500 savings in lender fees. $300,000 loan, $375-750, etc. Sometimes it's much more, depending on down payment (or equity position, in the case of a refinance) and which credit tier you're moving from.
Note: This is not credit repair, which is typically a longer term plan (1 year) for someone trying to raise their credit score significantly, i.e. 50 points or more.

4. Besides your standard Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, purchase and refinance, fixed and adjustable rates, 10-30 year terms, we offer a variety of alternative loan products. Are you a business owner who has been turned down, due to the deductions on your tax returns causing you to show little to no income? We can qualify you off of bank statements. Do you have zero documentable income but at least a 640 credit score and lots of savings (or equity, if a refinance)? We can do that loan. Are you good on income and credit, but have little to no savings? Ask about our down payment assistance program. Good income and savings, but low credit score? We can go down to 500 FHA/VA, 550 USDA. See below for more detail:

1. Use a concurrent, aka piggyback, HELOC to:
a. Purchase the new home before selling the old home
b. Avoid Jumbo rates and/or underwriting guidelines on the 1st mortgage
c. Avoid mortgage insurance
d. Avoid a Full Review and instead use a Limited Review on a condo
2. Assets as income: Don't have a job or own a business, but have a lot in a bank account, brokerage account, etc.? Use that to qualify.
3. Renovation loans: Close in a normal timeframe (i.e. 30 days), finance the cost of improvements, and have the work done over a maximum of 6 months post-close.
4. Under contract on a new build that won't be complete for awhile? Lock up to 180 days out.
5. Closing cost assistance from $500-$1,500 in the form of a gift that never needs to be repaid, a pilot program by Freddie Mac. Income limits apply.
6. 1% Down: Bring 1% of your own down payment, receive 2% down payment in free money from the lender, no monthly mortgage insurance. Conditions apply.
7. Down payment assistance for FHA loans in the form of a 2nd mortgage. Negotiate a seller concession to cover your closing costs and you could literally be zero out of pocket. Closing cost assistance for USDA loans, also in the form of a 2nd mortgage.
8. FHA and VA loans down to a 500 credit score, USDA down to 550.
9. Non-QM:
a. Self-employed or own a business but don't qualify for a QM due to all of your deductions? Qualify off of your bank statements in lieu of tax returns.
b. Community Mortgage: Qualify for a primary residence or vacation home using your credit score, down payment, and reserves (funds left over in your possession after closing). Your personal income or debts will not be factored in.
c. DSCR (debt service coverage ratio): Qualify for a rental property purchase using the cash flow of the property. Your personal income or debts will not be factored in.
d. Close in an LLC, corporation, etc. instead of as a natural person
e. Interest only payments
f. 40 year term
g. Foreign national
h. ITIN in lieu of SSN
10. Hard money (short term business loans tied to real estate, not subject to state licensing):
a. Fix & Flip: If you don't qualify off of your income, or you wish to do the work yourself instead of pay a contractor's markup, this loan product is for you.
b. Loan of last resort: Are you in bankruptcy or foreclosure, but have a lot of equity that you'd like to tap into? Are you trying to close on an acquisition, but had an investor pull out last minute? Are you trying to purchase raw land but no one will lend to you? Ask us if we can help.

Meet the Team

Picture of the founder of Honest Mortgages, Inc.

Joshua Bassan

Founder


I moved to greater Omaha, NE on June 1, 2021 from Northern Virginia. I worked remotely for my cousin Samuel Bassan’s company, Innovative Mortgage Group in Lakewood, CO, from February 2016 through December 2018, and again since February 2020.


Honest Mortgage, Inc. is my own company, but please look up the online reviews (mostly Google, but also Yelp , Lending Tree, and Redfin) for Innovative Mortgage Group in Lakewood, CO. Plenty of them mention me specifically, and my cousin Sam and I have worked hard to build a good reputation. Now that I have at least one review of my own, please see my Yelp page as well.


To continue my personal history: I had moved to Washington, DC in 2001 to attend Georgetown University, earning a BA in Chinese, and then hopped the Potomac River to live in Virginia upon graduation in 2005. I was born and raised in the 50th State, on an orange orchard on the island of Hawaii. As I spent my adult life on the mainland and got more familiar with the regional differences, I found myself drawn to the Midwest. I read great things about Omaha specifically and visited in January 2021 before deciding to move. I’m very excited to be here now, and look forward to staying for some time to come!

Pull my own Credit

This is only if you want to pay about $50 ($100 if a married couple) to see your own credit report immediately. This is a hard pull, so it will affect your credit scores. If you would like us to pay the fee to pull your credit (if you close a loan with us, the fee will be charged to you at closing), whether a soft pull for prequalification purposes only, or a hard pull, please click the Secure Loan Application tab and fill out a complete application.

Click here to pull your own credit.

Term Limits

Picture of term limits supporters

A portion of revenue goes to supporting my favorite non-profit, US Term Limits. Fighting career politicians in Washington! Please sign their petition.

Contact Us

Honest Mortgage, Inc.
857 Dech St
PO Box 92
Ithaca, NE 68033
531-466-7010 Office
531-201-0295 Fax
[email protected]
NMLS ID # 2103339
NMLS Consumer Access