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
While we'll never be the cheapest mortgage company (after all, only one company can be the cheapest), we are a really good deal. Example: Compared to Chase, US Bank, and Wells Fargo, on a $200,000 loan at the same interest rate, 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 many bank lenders (we primarily 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.

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 680 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 products. Good income and savings, but low credit score? We can go down to 500. 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. 1% Down: Bring 1% of your own down payment, receive a 2% grant on a Conventional loan. Purchase only.
3. Down payment assistance for FHA loans in the form of a repayable 2nd mortgage, a forgivable 2nd mortgage, or a grant. Closing cost assistance for USDA loans in the form of a repayable or forgivable 2nd mortgage. Purchase only.
4. We also pay for a service that tracks grants & loans provided by city/county governments & non-profits. Some are nationwide, some are specific to parts of Nebraska or Iowa. Click here to get started. Purchase only.
5. FHA and VA loans down to a 500 credit score, USDA down to 550. Purchase or refinance.
6. Under contract on a new build that won't be complete for awhile? Lock up to 180 days out. Purchase only.
7. Renovation loans: Finance the cost of improvements into the loan, and have the work done over a maximum of 6 months post-close. Purchase or refinance.
8. Construction loans: Design & build your new home. One Time Close: The loan automatically converts to a permanent loan upon completion of the home. No re-qualifying or paying closing costs a second time. Purchase only.
9. Fix & Flip: Qualify for a rental property purchase using credit score and down payment. Your personal income or debts will not be factored in. Balloon due in 12 months. You may do the work yourself instead of paying a general contractor. If you change your mind after fixing up the property and decide to keep it, refinance into a permanent loan. Purchase only.
10. Assets as income: Are you retired and making less now, but have a lot in your 401k? Use that to qualify. Are you working but want to qualify for more using your bank account, or brokerage account, etc.? We can do that as well. Purchase or refinance.
11. Non-QM:
a. Self-employed or own a business, but don't qualify for a normal loan due to all of your deductions? Qualify off of your bank statements or 1099's in lieu of tax returns. Purchase or refinance.
b. Community Mortgage: Qualify for a primary residence or vacation home using your credit score, down payment, and reserves (funds left over after closing). Your personal income or debts will not be factored in. Purchase or refinance.
c. DSCR (debt service coverage ratio): Qualify for a rental property using the cash flow of the property. Short-term rents may be used to qualify, i.e. AirDNA. Your personal income or debts will not be factored in. Purchase or refinance.
d. Close in an LLC, corporation, etc. instead of as a natural person. Purchase or refinance.
e. Interest only payments. Purchase or refinance.
f. 40 year term. Purchase or refinance.
g. Foreign national. Purchase or refinance.
h. ITIN in lieu of SSN. Purchase or refinance.
12. Property types other than 1-4 unit residential:
a. Land loans: Finance vacant or raw land. Purchase or refinance.
b. Hobby farm: For a property that is too 'farm' for a normal home loan, but not truly business-purpose, either. Purchase or refinance.
c. Agriculture: For working farms, ranches, orchards, etc. Purchase or refinance.
d. Commercial: 5+ unit apartment buildings, office, retail, mixed-use, auto repair, warehouse, self-storage. Purchase or refinance.
13. Small business lending: No collateral. 5 or 7 year term loans up to $500,000. Lines of credit up to $150,000.

Meet the Team

Picture of the founder of Honest Mortgages, Inc.

Joshua Bassan

Founder


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


Honest Mortgage has several Google reviews of our own now. Please check them out here. Also feel free to look up the Google reviews for Innovative Mortgage Group. Plenty of them mention Joshua specifically. His cousin Samuel and himself have worked hard to build a good reputation.


To continue his personal history: He 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. He was born and raised in the 50th State, on an orange orchard on the island of Hawaii. As he spent his adult life on the mainland and got more familiar with the regional differences, he found himself drawn to the Midwest. After reading great things about Omaha specifically, and then visiting in January 2021, he decided to move. He does not regret it!

Pull my own Credit

This is only if you want to pay about $65 ($130 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 our 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