John Benno, Preferred Mortgage Inc.

John Benno is a family friend of my wife, so when we started looking for houses, we reached out to him with a ton of mortgage questions. He helped us secure the original loan for our first home purchase, and about a year and a half later, he reached out to us regarding a mortgage refinance. John was incredibly helpful, providing all the information we needed about refinancing without pressuring us to go through him. He encouraged us to consider other offers, but ultimately the rate he offered was the best we found. Having John monitor rates and look out for our best interests took a lot of stress off our shoulders. John's extremely knowledgeable and was able to explain complex details in a way we could easily understand. He made himself easy to reach and handled the mortgage and refinance process so smoothly that we never felt stressed. We really appreciate having an expert to rely on when we don’t know how something works or what to do next. We’d absolutely call John again or recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable mortgage broker in California.

This is the third time I’ve worked with John Benno as my mortgage broker in California, and every experience has been just as smooth as the first. I bought my first home with his team, refinanced for the second, and recently purchased a second property. John is incredibly responsive, always provides clear options, and gives practical advice on next steps. The process with him is smooth. What I respect most is that he answers all the time, usually immediately, which makes everything move fast. John always finds competitive interest rates, and my friends are surprised at how good my rates are. He works around the clock, including weekends, and makes sure I fully understand the process by breaking down risks and ways to mitigate them. It’s always a great experience working with him. I’d absolutely work with John again or recommend him to anyone looking for an experienced mortgage broker in California.

We got in contact with John Benno through a referral from our realtor for our home purchase in Antioch. I hadn’t been through the home buying process for a while, so I was overwhelmed by all the paperwork, deadlines, and steps required to make sure everything was done on time. He walked us through every step in clear, simple terms, kept us updated, and made understanding the mortgage process easy. Whether we needed to sign paperwork digitally or had a quick question, John was always just a text or call away. Despite other lenders trying to compete, he locked in the best rate, which made us feel secure in our choice. What stands out most is the relationship he builds with clients. I feel comfortable reaching out to him anytime, and I know he would let us know if rates drop or if there’s a chance to save money or improve our position as homeowners. I would absolutely call John again or recommend him to anyone in California looking for a mortgage broker who makes the mortgage process simple.

John was great to work with on our home purchase in Antioch. Not only were we first time home buyers, we also had the added complication of my grandmother selling her house and all of us moving into one place, so there was a lot to figure out. I never felt rushed or like I couldn’t call him with questions. He explained everything in plain English, was quick to respond to texts, and helped make a complicated process feel simple. He even monitored the market and timed our rate lock perfectly. What stood out most was John's attention to detail. He looked into my grandmother’s Prop 19 eligibility so her tax base could transfer and made sure the title was set up properly. John also helped with finding contractors and walking us through everything we needed to know about the home buying process. I’d absolutely reach out to him again if we buy another home or need refinancing, and I would recommend him to anyone looking for a trustworthy mortgage professional in California

I always felt like I was in such good hands working with John as our mortgage broker. I've known him my whole life as a family friend, but this was my first time using him professionally, and wow, what a difference compared to other mortgage brokers I've used. The biggest positive difference was the options for home financing. Our plans kept changing from looking for one home to two homes, which meant the financing changed, and we needed a way for my mom on a fixed income to get approval for something she could afford with our help. I am certain nobody would have worked as hard to figure out the different scenarios, and I didn't feel like I had the mortgage options and guidance I did this time with previous brokers, nor did I feel as educated about what I could do and what things meant. John was extremely patient in explaining multiple scenarios and the pros and cons of each, presenting everything in a way I could understand since I'm not a finance expert, but he knows that world inside and out. He worked tirelessly to get my mom what she needed, modeling different possibilities with various interest rates, loan programs, and down payment options. Not only was he phenomenal on the mortgage side, but he also introduced us to our realtor and home insurance agent, making him an incredible wealth of information beyond just the mortgage. He explained timing and interest rates and even what it was like to buy down points for better rates. No question, I would use him again and recommend him to anyone looking for a trusted mortgage broker or lender.

John Benno is a genius at what he does! I used John as my mortgage broker when I bought a home in 2009, and now again, even in retirement, he locked in a fantastic mortgage with the best possible terms and lowest interest rate. I couldn’t be more thankful for all the time, attention, and skill he put in. When I told him this was the condo I wanted, just three miles from my daughter’s house, he said he would make it happen, and he absolutely did. We’ve been friends for half a century, and for anything related to mortgages, refinancing, or home loans, he’s always the first person I call. His attitude is just so positive! He's the best person to work with and anybody that wants to reach out to him for a mortgage lender or home financing needs would not be unhappy.

John has incredible industry knowledge and he was awesome to work with! He made the mortgage and loan process straightforward and simple. Although I worked with his company before, this was my first time working directly with him. He was readily available whenever I had questions or needed anything which really made things go so smoothly for me. John is incredibly professional and he handles everything extremely quickly! Even with the current market, I was very happy with the rate he managed to secure for me. John is a very experienced and seasoned mortgage broker. I would definitely work with him again for any future purchases or refinancing needs.

I've worked with John, a trusted mortgage broker, for over 30 years, and he's always battling to get you the best mortgage rate at the lowest price. Through at least half a dozen real estate transactions, he's taught me everything about smart borrowing - from no-cost loans to understanding different loan types. He presents options and lets you choose, while subtly guiding you toward what best suits your needs. What makes John stand out is his laid-back demeanor and genuine interest in educating clients about money management. He is extremely patient, professional, and informative; he never rushes to the next call and always takes the time to fully explain things. John always looks out for me, whether I'm buying, refinancing, or borrowing to build a house, like now. That's why my family - especially my cousins - have trusted him with their mortgage loans for decades.

I'm a real estate agent and have been referring home buyers, throughout the Contra Costa County area, to John Benno for almost 8 years. In the past, he also did a seamless refinance for me personally. John is straightforward, honest and will let you know upfront whether or not he can secure the financing you need - He's not the type to waste your time or make empty promises! As a broker, John has far more lending resources than a bank typically would so I'm always confident that he will be able to close the deal! I just know that there aren't many mortgage brokers around who are more capable or committed as John. If he can't get you approved then no one can!

John is a dog with a bone when it comes to finding a loan! At the time both my husband and I were self employed, which can be tricky when shopping for loans. Only John Benno could have pulled it off and he did, several times for us. Won't go to anyone else. He's right there in the fight with you and always has your back. #johnbennoisthebest!

If you are buying a home and need a mortgage, call John at preferred mortgage. I was a first time home buyer and he answered every question and addressed every concern I had quickly and thoughtfully. Preferred Mortgage (PM) is a broker company, meaning they serve as the go-between the loan recipient and the bank. I was hesitant as first since this creates an opportunity for additional costs for me with an added party to the loan process. However, John had two clear objectives: (1)beat any rate I could get on the market, and (2) provide the best customer service possible. Those two objectives aligned with my interests and made for a great partnership. Clearly when procuring a loan you want the best possible rate. This is definitely the way to go. Additionally, if you are in a time constraint and need a quick loan turn around (ex. I had a short contingency term) pick PM. I requested the loan on a Thursday, and the following Wednesday is was approved and done in underwriting. I can't say enough about how painless John made the experience. He answered all my called, and returned all my texts. I was informed every step of the way and assured that nothing I asked was too detailed or too dumb. I feel smarter, more informed, and confident that I made the right choice when procuring my loan through John and his team at PM.

John Benno is a fantastic Mortgage lender in San Ramon. He is the absolute go to guy if you are in the market for a home! John has been in the area helping with home lending for over 30 years and is a true expert.

My mortgage broker at Preferred Mortgage has been John Benno who has assisted me several times on homes I have purchased getting me the best option for each situation. John worked patiently with my son when he tried several times over the last year to purchase a home. When he was able to purchase a home, John worked with him so he made the best choice regarding the down payment and mortgage. I look forward to working with John in the future.