At LendFriend Mortgage, we are recognized for providing competitive pricing, straightforward communication, and consistent follow-through across a broad spectrum of mortgage needs. Our clients choose to work with us because we bring deep experience to loan structuring, respond quickly when timing is critical, and help borrowers navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. We take a consultative approach that prioritizes accuracy and efficiency without applying pressure. This balance of strong loan terms and attentive, personalized service has resulted in hundreds of five-star reviews from homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate investors who value reliability and transparency throughout the lending process.
Headquartered in Austin, LendFriend Mortgage serves borrowers in 14 states, including Texas, California, Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, and Virginia. Founded by brothers Eric Bernstein and Michael Bernstein, our firm has originated more than $1.5 billion in residential mortgage financing. Our lending capabilities span conventional, FHA, VA, VA IRRRL, jumbo, and non-QM loan programs. Within non-QM lending, we specialize in bank statement loans for self-employed individuals, asset depletion solutions for high-net-worth borrowers, and DSCR loans for real estate investors. We are often selected for transactions that demand advanced loan expertise, flexible structuring, and execution beyond what traditional lenders typically offer.
Served areas
- Texas, Florida, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Connecticut, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, New Hampshire, Ohio, Michigan, Virginia
Business details
- Year established: 2018
- Licensed
Highlights and features
- Simplifying complex mortgages with expert guidance and modern technology
- Specialists in Non-QM, self-employed, and asset-based loans
- Transparent mortgage process with zero hidden fees
- Fast closings with competitive rates and personalized support
- Trusted mortgage broker with hundreds of five-star reviews
Services
We specialize in VA IRRRL refinances that help veterans improve their mortgage terms with minimal friction. The program is designed to reduce interest rates or convert adjustable loans to fixed rates. Most refinances move forward without appraisals or income documentation. Our approach emphasizes speed, transparency, and measurable savings.
Our jumbo loan offerings are structured to support diverse borrower needs, from traditional financing to alternative qualification programs. We compare multiple lenders to secure favorable rates and terms that fit your budget and long-term plans. Each loan is customized based on income, assets, and property type. This approach allows us to deliver efficient approvals and reliable closings.
Conventional Mortgage Loans
Report
Offers conventional mortgage solutions for home purchases and refinances, with competitive structures tailored to credit profile, down payment strategy, and long-term goals.
We offer home loan solutions designed specifically for self-employed borrowers who qualify using bank statements instead of traditional income documents. Our process eliminates the need for tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs. By focusing on real cash flow, we help entrepreneurs, business owners, and 1099 earners secure financing that accurately reflects their earning capacity.
We specialize in asset depletion mortgages that transform investment and retirement assets into usable qualifying income. This structure allows borrowers to pursue homeownership without selling assets or providing traditional income documents. Our approach emphasizes efficiency, flexibility, and access to higher loan amounts while helping clients maintain their financial positioning and long-term portfolio growth.
People
Eric Bernstein
President And Co-founder
Eric has helped thousands of people buy homes, build wealth, and feel confident about one of lifes biggest financial decisions. Since entering the mortgage industry in 2015, hes closed over $1 billion in home loans and earned a reputation for solving complex financing scenarios with clarity, speed, and care. He also has extensive experience helping veterans use VA IRRRLs to reduce their monthly payments quickly with minimal documentation.
Erics approach is deeply shaped by the customer service philosophy in Raving Fans by Ken Blancharda book he credits as a major influence in his career. He believes every client deserves more than a smooth transactionthey deserve a standout experience thats personal, consistent, and always better than expected. That mindset drives everything he does at LendFriend, from how his team communicates to how they show up when things get complicated.
While Eric works with a wide range of homebuyers and homeowners, he has deep expertise in helping clients who fall outside the traditional lending boxself-employed borrowers, real estate investors, crypto holders, and others with unique financial profiles. He specializes in VA, Conventional, and Jumbo loans, as well as Non-QM solutions like bank statement, DSCR, and asset depletion programs.
Whether you're buying your first home or financing your fifth, Eric brings the same thoughtful, personalized approach to every deal. He leads the LendFriend team with a focus on transparency, creativity, and making sure every client walks away feeling like they had someone in their corner from day one.
Erics approach is deeply shaped by the customer service philosophy in Raving Fans by Ken Blancharda book he credits as a major influence in his career. He believes every client deserves more than a smooth transactionthey deserve a standout experience thats personal, consistent, and always better than expected. That mindset drives everything he does at LendFriend, from how his team communicates to how they show up when things get complicated.
While Eric works with a wide range of homebuyers and homeowners, he has deep expertise in helping clients who fall outside the traditional lending boxself-employed borrowers, real estate investors, crypto holders, and others with unique financial profiles. He specializes in VA, Conventional, and Jumbo loans, as well as Non-QM solutions like bank statement, DSCR, and asset depletion programs.
Whether you're buying your first home or financing your fifth, Eric brings the same thoughtful, personalized approach to every deal. He leads the LendFriend team with a focus on transparency, creativity, and making sure every client walks away feeling like they had someone in their corner from day one.
Michael Bernstein
Co-Founder
Michael believes that everyone deserves the chance to own a homeand hes made it his mission to help more people get there. As part of the family behind LendFriend, he brings heart, hustle, and a deep sense of responsibility to every client he serves. Whether youre a first-time buyer, a crypto investor, or someone whos been told no by a traditional lender, Michael is the kind of person who will roll up his sleeves and find a way forward.
With a strong background in technology and a passion for decentralized finance, Michael specializes in modern lending strategies like crypto-backed mortgages, Buy Before You Sell programs, and flexible Conventional loan options. He believes the mortgage process should feel empoweringnot invasiveand uses smart tools and streamlined systems to keep things efficient, transparent, and stress-free. That same efficiency-driven approach also applies to VA IRRRL refinances, where speed, simplicity, and minimal documentation matter most.
Above all else, Michael is a people person. Hes known for being compassionate, responsive, and genuinely invested in each borrowers success. Whether hes working with a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, his goal is always the same: to make the experience feel clear, personal, and built around your goalsnot the banks.
At LendFriend, Michael is proud to carry on the familys mission of doing mortgage lending differentlyby putting relationships first and helping more people win the keys to a home they love.
With a strong background in technology and a passion for decentralized finance, Michael specializes in modern lending strategies like crypto-backed mortgages, Buy Before You Sell programs, and flexible Conventional loan options. He believes the mortgage process should feel empoweringnot invasiveand uses smart tools and streamlined systems to keep things efficient, transparent, and stress-free. That same efficiency-driven approach also applies to VA IRRRL refinances, where speed, simplicity, and minimal documentation matter most.
Above all else, Michael is a people person. Hes known for being compassionate, responsive, and genuinely invested in each borrowers success. Whether hes working with a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, his goal is always the same: to make the experience feel clear, personal, and built around your goalsnot the banks.
At LendFriend, Michael is proud to carry on the familys mission of doing mortgage lending differentlyby putting relationships first and helping more people win the keys to a home they love.
Reviews (20)
Pc Willowrun
Jan 26, 2026
Amazing lender for self employed borrowers.I spoke to a few lenders that were recommended to me by friends and family and LendFriend was by far the best. Eric was able to help me use my business bank statements to get qualified for the loan amount I needed. The entire process was very smooth and I was able to go under contract and close without any headaches. If you're a business owner trying to buy a home, Eric Bernstein at LendFriend is the guy for you.
Judah Kishk
Jan 01, 2026
Working with the LendFriend team was an excellent experience. They are all very responsive and on top of things and have very competitive rates. They can stand to communicate a little bit more actively once the rate is locked and goes into underwriting. Overall, I would work with LendFriend again and would highly recommended others work with the team.
Alex Green
Dec 20, 2025
I recently used LendFriend for my home purchase, and they were fantastic! The team was professional, responsive, and truly caring. They explained everything clearly, answered all my questions, and made the process smooth and stress-free.
What really sets them apart is their forward-thinking approachthey accept cryptocurrency holdings as proof of income/assets, which was a game-changer for me and made qualifying so much easier. Communication was excellent, they secured a great rate, closed on time with no hidden fees, and their online portal was super easy to use.
If you want a modern lender that puts you first, embraces crypto, and delivers results, choose LendFriend. I'll recommend them to everyonethank you for making my dream home possible!
What really sets them apart is their forward-thinking approachthey accept cryptocurrency holdings as proof of income/assets, which was a game-changer for me and made qualifying so much easier. Communication was excellent, they secured a great rate, closed on time with no hidden fees, and their online portal was super easy to use.
If you want a modern lender that puts you first, embraces crypto, and delivers results, choose LendFriend. I'll recommend them to everyonethank you for making my dream home possible!
Ty McCullough
Nov 26, 2025
Pat DeLuca
Oct 02, 2025
Tammie Grevin
Sep 26, 2025
I recently worked with LendFriend to secure a loan for my elderly parents new home, and the experience was outstanding! Eric Bernstein and the team were knowledgeable, responsive, and guided us every step of the way. They found a loan that perfectly fit our needs, making the process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend LendFriendIll be using them again when my husband and I relocate to join my parents in Texas!
Molly Rader
Sep 20, 2025
LendFriend Mortgage made my dream of homeownership a reality!
From start to finish, their team was incredibly helpful, patient, and knowledgeable. They guided me through every step of the mortgage process and made everything feel easy and stress-free. Thanks to LendFriend, Im now a proud first time homeownerhighly recommend them to anyone looking to buy a home!
From start to finish, their team was incredibly helpful, patient, and knowledgeable. They guided me through every step of the mortgage process and made everything feel easy and stress-free. Thanks to LendFriend, Im now a proud first time homeownerhighly recommend them to anyone looking to buy a home!
April Magnia
Aug 30, 2025
Brian Sanford
Aug 29, 2025
Eric and LendFriend saved the day! We had a lender who struggled so terribly that the sellers were willing to put their property back on the market. Our realtor pulled the deal from the ashes and we chose LendFriend to make it right quickly. We closed a million plus VA loan in 3 weeks and now have our forever home. Thank you LendFriend, Eric, and Morgan!
Gabriel Perez
Aug 27, 2025
LendFriend helped me buy my home using my Bitcoin to qualify. I first spoke with a few lenders that my friends recommended to see if I could get a mortgage without selling my Bitcoin and they all turned me down. So, I asked ChatGPT who does crypto mortgages and found these guys. Eric was available 24/7, knew what he was doing and answered all my questions. They got me closed early, and my wife and I love our house. Highly recommend LendFriend!
Jamie Elrod
Jul 31, 2025
Stephanie Yeager
Jul 16, 2025
LendFriend Mortgage was such a wonderful company to work with as a first-time homebuyer. I found them through Google reviews, reached out, and connected with Eric that same day. He was friendly, responsive, and made the whole process feel much less overwhelming.
What really stood out was how proactive and thoughtful he was; he not only helped me understand each step, but also shared helpful tips for what comes next, like how to file for my homestead exemption and what to expect when Im ready to refinance.
Everyone I spoke with at LendFriend was kind, professional, and made me feel well taken care of from start to finish. Im so glad I found them, and Id definitely recommend them to anyone buying a home.
What really stood out was how proactive and thoughtful he was; he not only helped me understand each step, but also shared helpful tips for what comes next, like how to file for my homestead exemption and what to expect when Im ready to refinance.
Everyone I spoke with at LendFriend was kind, professional, and made me feel well taken care of from start to finish. Im so glad I found them, and Id definitely recommend them to anyone buying a home.
Michael Koetting
Jul 06, 2025
LendFriend was absolutely great to work with! Michael, Crystal, and Morgan there were all extraordinarily helpful in explaining and walking us through all aspects of our mortgage loan initiation process, and made the process as straightforward and simple as possible. They found us a fantastic rate with very low closing costs, and their customer service is nothing short of stellar. We are very glad to have reached out to them for our new home mortgage, and would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone looking for a new home loan!
Jesper Holdensen
Jul 03, 2025
We worked with the Lendfriend team and could not recommend it more. As first time home buyers, there is a lot to learn - and Lendfriend know how to share their knowledge with patience and professionalism.
For anyone considering working with them, just go ahead and give them a call. You will not regret it.
For anyone considering working with them, just go ahead and give them a call. You will not regret it.
Teresa
Jun 28, 2025
LendFriend was absolutely amazing beginning to end. They were recommended to us and did not disappoint. As first time home buyers we had lost of questions and, before we'd even committed to working with LendFriend, Michael was readily available to answer all of our many questions about the process. We *wanted* to work with them but we were still committed to working with the lender/broker that would give us the best financial deal. So we got quotes from LendFriend and from a couple of other places. LendFriend was by far the best option financially. So not only was their customer service on point, but the lender they found for us was fantastic and we got a great deal. We worked most closely with Crystal during the process of purchasing our home and she was also quick to respond and answer our questions. Michael, Crystal, Morgan, and the entire LendFriend team was fantastic. They were focused, detailed, and excited for us to purchase our first home. I couldn't recommend them more.
Sarah Carr
Jun 04, 2025
Wow my husband and I were truly impressed with how easy the LendFriend team made our home buying experience. Eric and his team took extra care in explaining and outlining each step -- a real customer first experience. On top of that, each member of the team was incredibly knowledgeable, organized, and responsive; resulting in an expeditious close! The website promise of working around the clock to support you is 100% factual, we had staff answering questions late night and weekends. The entire team was a real pleasure to work with, so if you are looking for a mortgage broker look no further, LendFriend is the team for you! They will give you peace of mind, get you the best rates, and make you feel confident when buying your home :)
Hudson Kuras
Apr 14, 2025
I highly recommend Eric and Michael for your mortgage needs. They were incredibly knowledgeable and made me feel supported throughout the entire process. I never felt rushed or pressured. Their willingness to have multiple in-depth phone calls (20-30 minutes each) to address my questions, discuss strategy, and explain documents line by line was invaluable.
Sean Patrick McGinley
Mar 30, 2025
I recently worked with LendFriend, and I could not ask for a better experience. The whole team (should out to Eric and Morgan!) is incredibly responsive and knowledgeable. I felt like had a great advocate on my side from my first contact all the way through my complicated closing. I cannot recommend this team enough, and I will definitely be using them for all future lending I may need help with.
Bryant Salcedo
Sep 15, 2024
Working with LendFriend has been an absolute pleasure! They made the entire process so easy and stress-free, always staying on top of everything and keeping me informed every step of the way. Anytime I had a question, they were quick to respond with clarity and professionalism. I trust them like family and truly appreciate their hard work and dedication. I will definitely be using them again in the future! Thank you!
Andrew Hong
Jul 06, 2024
Went with LendFriend for my first time home purchase in Florida. They made the whole process very smooth and personal. Answered all my noobie questions and kept me updated each step of the way. Never had any issues. They got me an awesome rate and found me a ton of credits as a first time home buyer. I always felt like they had my best interests in mind. Thanks to everyone at LendFriend for your hard work!