John Benno, Preferred Mortgage Inc.

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.

Working with John as my mortgage broker put me at ease when tackling the mortgage process again! Having lived in my home for 22 years, I was dreading the whole process, but John handled everything amazingly. He was patient with my millions of questions and even helped me navigate the technical challenges of securing a mortgage. He assured me that I could call him anytime I needed help figuring something out. What really impressed me was his consideration and availability. He gave me his cell phone number for weekend mortgage consultations and was incredibly prompt – the one time he missed my call, he got back to me within two minutes! He was even more amazing the second time I worked with him than the first. As someone who struggles with technology, I particularly appreciated how he made himself available to walk me through each step of the mortgage application process. I've already recommended him to friends because he makes what could be an overwhelming process feel manageable and stress-free. Thank you, John, for your amazing professionalism.

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.

John is the best mortgage broker we could have hoped for as first-time homebuyers. He takes the time to properly explain everything and is very patient and responsive. His prompt communication was what truly stood out to us; following a strong jobs report, he called right away to discuss the implications and go over our options as mortgage rates spiked. John's attention to detail during home loan closing was exceptional, carefully reviewing all documents to ensure every credit was included correctly. He got us pre-approved for a mortgage within a week and was always available to take our calls with any questions. His knowledge of the mortgage process and trustworthy guidance made the whole home financing process smooth and understandable.

Right from the start, John was an incredibly personable mortgage broker to work with - very friendly and open! I'm so glad our family friend recommended him to us because he made us feel comfortable right away. We were trying to buy and sell a home at the same time, but the way he handled everything took a lot of that stress away from us. Him taking his time to explain each step of the home loan process really put us at ease! John wasn't just a mortgage planner; he provided invaluable financial advice that went beyond just securing our loan. He showed so much knowledge and experience that I knew right away we could trust him completely. You can call or text him anytime and he will get back to you immediately, which meant so much to us with everything we had going on - he was always available. I can't stress enough how grateful I am for John. He turned an overwhelming process into something not just manageable but actually enjoyable. He really made us feel like family, not just clients. Thanks to John, who stayed on the lookout every day until he found a good rate, we were able to navigate a complex loan process with far more ease than we ever imagined. I can't express enough how much his support meant to us. If you need a top mortgage broker in Fairfield, then you can count on John!

My husband and I recently bought our first home in Concord, CA with the help of John Benno, our mortgage broker. John's been a family friend since I was born, so when our landlord told us we needed to move out at the end of our lease, I knew John could lead us in the right direction. From the start, John made the whole process so much less overwhelming. He explained everything in a way that was easy to understand, and I felt comfortable asking him questions without feeling insecure. His knowledge goes beyond just mortgages - he gave us tips on looking for a house and different scenarios to make our loan more attractive. When it came to our VA loan, John got us a rate that our friends were impressed by. He found us a sweet spot, and I felt really good about moving forward. Plus, he was always responsive - whenever I called, he'd answer, and if he needed to check on something, he'd get back to me within a day. Thanks to John we closed on our house in just 20 days! The whole process flew by, and now we're homeowners. I've already recommended John to a childhood friend of mine, and if my husband and I ever decide to refinance or move, we'll definitely be working with John again. He's genuinely the best - friendly, knowledgeable, and truly invested in his clients. I feel so secure having gone through this process with him by our side.

John Benno first helped me back in 2020 with getting approved for a mortgage on a home purchase in northern California, then again just last month when he helped with a home equity line of credit to restructure some personal debt. Two very different needs which he knocked out of the park, both times. For each situation, John concisely laid out what he needed from me, then presented the best options to determine the ideal fit for my specific financial requirements. It wasn't just about the rate, but also the terms and other factors that John helped me navigate. Back in 2020, thanks to his fast work, I was able to close in under 30 days which made a difference in being selected by the seller. This time around, he was just as quick to help. John was even out of the country for a portion of the closing process this time around, but his team ensured we didn't lose a beat! I've already recommended him to others and will continue to do so. I also will gladly work with him again in the future. On top of it all, John's more than an excellent mortgage broker - he's a great person. We can choose to do business with a lot of different people, but the quality of an individual is what keeps you going back - and I have nothing but great things to say about John!

As a retired escrow officer with 47 years of experience, I've worked with countless mortgage brokers, and John Benno stands head and shoulders above the rest. He's become our go-to mortgage broker through multiple transactions because he just gets the job done - no sugar-coating, no beating around the bush. No matter what, John's got it! He takes complete ownership of everything so you don't have to worry about the details. He's direct, organized, and makes the whole process simple. He keeps everything so organized that when you need him again, he just pulls up your file and picks up right where you left off. You never get surprises with John - what he says is what you get. He even keeps track of interest rates and calls his clients when it's a good time to refinance. That's why when rates dropped in 2020-21, most of my old colleagues at the title company chose John for their own refis - and they know who the good brokers are! He even helped my daughter through a really tricky refinance with some complicated title issues, and he stuck with it until everything was sorted out. That's exactly why I tell everyone they need to call John! Even if you've got another broker in mind, at least talk to him and compare!

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.