Licensed in 48 States • 280+ Lending Partners

Meet Our Team at Gustan Cho Associates

The mortgage professionals who close loans when others say “no.” Available 24/7, 365 days a year to help you achieve homeownership.

80%+

Success Rate

280+

Lending Partners

48

States Licensed

24/7

Support Available

At Gustan Cho Associates, our team is the backbone of our success as a leading nationwide mortgage company licensed in 48 states, Washington, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

We specialize in government-backed loans like FHA, VA, and USDA, as well as conventional and non-QM loans for borrowers with challenging credit profiles, low FICO scores, high debt-to-income ratios, and unique financial situations.

Our dedicated professionals bring expertise, innovation, and a client-first approach to every interaction, ensuring you receive personalized mortgage solutions that other lenders might overlook.

Whether you’re a homebuyer, home seller, business owner, or real estate investor, our team at Gustan Cho Associates is here to provide a rewarding experience through expert guidance and seamless service.

Meet Our Leaders, Loan Officers ,Operations & Support Team Members

Our leadership team drives the vision and operations of Gustan Cho Associates, overseeing everything from strategic planning to compliance and technology. These key executives ensure that our company remains a trusted one-stop hub for both mainstream and alternative lending solutions

Gustan Cho

National Managing Director and Branch Manager

Gustan Cho, NMLS 873293, serves as the National Managing Director and Branch Manager of NEXA Mortgage, LLC, doing business as Gustan Cho Associates, at our Oakbrook Terrace, IL, Office.

With a proven track record of closing complex loans that other lenders decline, Gustan manages a nationwide platform offering government, conventional, and non-QM loans

His expertise shines in helping borrowers with lower credit scores, credit issues, recent credit events, or unconventional income sources

Known as the go-to expert for denied loans, Gustan provides hands-on support, educational resources on real estate and mortgage topics, and innovative solutions for challenging scenarios.

Gustan Cho
NMLS 873293
gcho@gustancho.com
(262) 627-1965
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Margarett Jurilla

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Marga Jurilla, reachable at marga@gustancho.com is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Gustan Cho Associates and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

As the second-highest-ranking officer and executive assistant to Gustan Cho

Marga oversees a broad spectrum of critical functions, including the following:

  • Human resources (HR), employee promotions, terminations, and onboarding; management of personal, business, and corporate affairs.
  • Licensing and Compliance.
  • Profit and Loss ledgers
  • Accounting and Budgeting
  • Public Relations
  • Audits
  • Disputes and All Operational intricacies
  • Her authoritative role ensures seamless efficiency, regulatory adherence, and strategic growth across our nationwide operations
Marga Jurilla
marga@gustancho.com

Angie Torres

National Operations Director

Angie Torres, available at angies@gustancho.com and atorres@nexamortgage.com, serves as the National Operations Director at Gustan Cho Associates.

She oversees support and operations processes across 48 states (excluding MA and NY), including Washington, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Angie’s responsibilities include:

  • Managing support and operations staff, as well as wholesale and correspondent lending partners.
  • Audits
  • Regulatory Examinations
  • Secondary Markets and Post-Closing Conditions
Her expertise ensures efficient, compliant operations that support our clients’ mortgage journeys from application to closing.

Meet Our Team
angie@gustancho.com

Sapna Sharma

Chief Technology and Digital Marketing Officer

Sapna Sharma, reachable at sapna@gustancho.com, serves as the Chief Technology and Digital Marketing Officer for Gustan Cho Associates and its subsidiary websites and platforms.

She is responsible for all technology-related initiatives, digital media marketing strategies, and oversight of employees, third-party vendors, and contractors in these areas.:

Sapna’s leadership drives our innovative online presence, SEO optimization, and technological advancements, ensuring that our digital portals deliver engaging and user-friendly experiences for homebuyers, investors, and business owners.

Meet Our Team
sapna@gustancho.com

Our team of NMLS-licensed mortgage loan originators brings decades of combined experience in handling complex loans, including FHA, VA, and non-QM options for borrowers with low credit scores or unique challenges. They are dedicated to transparency, accessibility, and turning “no” into “yes” for our clients.

Alex Carlucci

Senior Loan Officer and Regional Managing Director

Alex Carlucci, NMLS 229891, serves as a Senior Loan Officer and Regional Managing Director.

He is an expert in FHA, VA, conventional, and non-QM loans, breaking down complex programs into simple, understandable steps.

Alex guides clients through the entire process with clarity and confidence, making him a trusted resource for first-time homebuyers and those with non-standard needs.

  • Borrower Testimonial:

    Alex walked me through every tiny detail. I never dreamed my credit could get me a mortgage, but he found the option I needed
    Danielle L.
    FHA Borrower
Meet Our Team
NMLS #229891
alex@gustancho.com
630-915-7550
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John Strange

Senior Mortgage Loan Originator

John Strange, NMLS 230932, is a Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with over 30 years of experience

He specializes in VA loans and assists borrowers with challenging financial situations, offering weekend availability and a commitment to transparency.

John’s guidance helps clients navigate complex loan processes efficiently and effectively.

John Strange
NMLS #230932
jstrange@gustancho.com
(630) 292-0266
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Dale Elenteny

Senior Loan Officer & Regional Managing Director

Dale Elenteny, NMLS 1936359, is a Senior Loan Officer and Regional Managing Director at Gustan Cho Associates.

He specializes in challenging loans that other lenders avoid, excelling in manual underwriting, particularly for borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios and those with low credit scores, as well as FHA and VA loans.

Dale’s expertise ensures borrowers with complex financial situations receive tailored solutions and successful closings.

Dale
NMLS #1936359
dale@gustancho.com
630-479-2719
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Mike Gracz

Mortgage Loan Originator and Real Estate Broker

Michael Gracz, NMLS 1161202, is a Mortgage Loan Originator and Real Estate Broker at Gustan Cho Associates.

As a former National Sales Manager, he brings extensive experience in FHA and VA loans for borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 FICO.

An award-winning mortgage blogger, Michael is an expert in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases and provides comprehensive support for difficult lending scenarios.

Michael Gracz
NMLS #1160212
mike@gustancho.com
(630) 659-7644
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Sonny Walton

Mortgage Loan Originator and Real Estate Broker

Sonny Walton, with his NMLS license, is a Mortgage Loan Originator and Real Estate Broker based in Houston, Texas.

Leveraging Gustan Cho Associates’ access to over 280 wholesale lenders

Sonny delivers tailored mortgage solutions for clients with low credit scores or complex situations, ensuring personalized service and successful outcomes.

Sonny
NMLS #
sonny@gustancho.com
(800) 900-8569
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Tanhia Romero

Mortgage Loan Originator

Tanhia Romero, NMLS 489760, is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

She specializes in assisting borrowers with challenging profiles, including those with low credit scores as low as 500 FICO, high debt-to-income ratios, and non-QM loans for individuals who have recently emerged from bankruptcy or foreclosure. Tanhia focuses on providing accessible and flexible mortgage options.

Meet Our Team
NMLS #
tanhia@gustancho.com
(251) 298-7697
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Our support and operations team provides the essential backbone for our daily functions, focusing on digital marketing, content creation, and strategic initiatives to enhance user experiences across our websites and platforms.

Anngelli Abenes

Senior Digital Media Marketing Strategist and Associate Contributing Editor

Anngelli Abenes, reachable at anngelli@gustancho.com, is the Senior Digital Media Marketing Strategist and Associate Contributing Editor for Gustan Cho Associates.

As an assistant to Sapna Sharma and Marga Jurilla, she also serves as Senior Marketing Content Manager.

Anngelli develops and implements digital media strategies, contributes editorial content, and manages marketing initiatives to engage our audience of homebuyers, sellers, and investors, ensuring our platforms offer valuable, SEO-optimized resources.

Meet Our Team
anngelli@gustancho.com

Sheena Love

SEO and Digital Media Marketing Strategist, Associate Contributing Editor

Sheena Love, contactable at sheena@gustancho.com, holds the titles of SEO and Digital Media Marketing Strategist, as well as Associate Contributing Editor for Gustan Cho Associates.

She specializes in search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, digital media marketing, and contributing editorial content.

Sheena’s work focuses on enhancing online visibility, creating compelling content, and driving traffic to our websites and forums, providing rewarding experiences for members and viewers seeking mortgage and real estate insights.

Meet Our Team
sheena@gustancho.com

Why Borrowers Choose Us

We specialize in helping borrowers who have been denied elsewhere. Here’s what sets our team apart.

No Lender Overlays

We follow only the official FHA, VA, and agency guidelines—no extra restrictions that other lenders add.

24/7 Availability

Our team is available seven days a week, including evenings and holidays, to assist with your needs.

Proven Results

Over 80% of our clients were denied by other lenders. We convert “no’s” into approvals daily.

Questions Borrowers Ask Most About Gustan Cho Associates

When you talk to a mortgage lender, you may ask, “Who are you?” We get that a lot at Gustan Cho Associates. Most of the time, those asking are clients who are told “no” by everyone else.

We aren’t just any mortgage broker. We are a committed team that believes owning a home shouldn’t be a distant dream for anyone.

As a dba of NEXA Mortgage, LLC (NMLS 1660690), our reach covers 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (MA & NY Pending). We’re the folks in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois (Branch NMLS 2315275). However, the network operates coast to coast—closing loans that felt hopeless elsewhere. In fact, 80% of our clients come to us only after receiving a denial from other lenders.  

Our team stands out by specializing in loans that other lenders decline, such as non-QM options for borrowers with low credit scores or those who have experienced recent credit events.

With no lender overlays and access to over 280 wholesale lenders, we offer flexible, client-focused solutions across 48 states.

When borrowers ask, “What’s the real story?” after so many “no’s,” we share our “yes“ with proof:  

  • We’re Here for You: You can reach a live team member at (800) 900-8569 or gcho@gustancho.com every day, evenings, and holidays.
  • You Come First: No jargon.
  • We walk through each option: an FHA while in chapter 13, or a hybrid loan two months after a foreclosure.
  • Proven Results: Our team has an A+ rating from the BBB and rave reviews on Google, Zillow, and Yelp.
  • You’ll see the same story when you read client testimonials.
  • We convert denials into approvals daily.  

Claudia Pagaza is a perfect example. She was facing a divorce and a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and still, we moved her to yes. Or consider Gina, who won an FHA loan appraisal even while in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy payment plan. Gamers come to us once rejected, and we figure out the pathway. So if the doors seem locked or your score lags, meet the team that refuses to be out of habit. We help you own your place. Call us now to see the next step forward.

We’re a full-scale broker—part of NEXA Mortgage, NMLS #1660690—offering traditional and “non-QM” loans. Overlays are not part of our model.

At Gustan Cho Associates, part of NEXA Mortgage, LLC (NMLS 1660690), we use the term “no lender overlays” to describe a key policy—and it’s especially important for the 80% of our clients who’ve been turned away everywhere else.

  • So, what is it? It’s simple: We stick to the basic guidelines set by FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional programs without adding the extra hoops other banks expect borrowers to jump through.
  • No extra credit, income, or asset rules that complicate the process.
  • By doing that, we can approve and close loans for borrowers who don’t fit the cookie-cutter mold.
  • Whether you have a FICO score as low as 500, a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, or an active Chapter 13 bankruptcy, we can still find a path for you.
  • At the same time, other lenders give you a no.
  • When shopping for a mortgage, you’ll run into a term called “lender overlays.”
  • These are extra rules that a mortgage company decides to use in addition to the official guidelines set by the FHA, VA, or Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.
  • Please think of the official rules as a checklist everyone gets, and overlays as extra questions mortgage lenders add for their protection.
  • Yet, the added questions can sometimes trip up borrowers who thought they’d qualify.

Here’s a Closer Look

  • FHA Official Rule: FHA says you can qualify with a credit score 500 if you put at least 10% down or 580 with 3.5% down.
  • The program even allows a borrower in Chapter 13 bankruptcy to be underwritten manually 12 months after starting repayment.
  • Typical Overlays: In practice, many lenders raise the benchmark by asking for a minimum score of 620 or even 640.
  • They may also impose a mandatory two-year pause after a bankruptcy discharge or set a 43% cap on your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, even if FHA allows higher ratios if you provide compensating factors.
  • When overlays kick in, borrowers may be denied even when they meet the agency guidelines.
  • At Gustan Cho Associates, we stick to the core FHA, VA, and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac rules.
  • That way, we clear unnecessary hurdles and boost the chances you’ll get the mortgage you need.

We offer FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, Jumbo, and a variety of Non-QM loans, such as bank statements, DSCR, ITIN, and no-doc.  

Gustan Cho Associates is licensed in 48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (MA and NY pending).  

Absolutely.
Team members like Dale Elenteny and Michael Gracz excel in FHA loans for borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 FICO, offering manual underwriting and expert guidance.
For more information or to connect with our team, visit our refreshed websites or contact us today.
At Gustan Cho Associates, we’re committed to your success in the mortgage and real estate journey.

You can reach our team members via the email addresses they have provided.

For loan inquiries, contact our licensed originators directly, or email general questions to info@gustancho.com for prompt assistance.

At Gustan Cho Associates, the “no lender overlays” policy lets us say “yes” when others say “no.”

Here’s The Real-World Impact For Our Clients:

  • Lower Credit Acceptances: FHA loans can close with scores starting at 500 (10% down) or 580 (3.5% down). In contrast, VA loans follow the same low-bar policy, meaning we don’t layer on tougher score minimums.
  • Relaxed Debt-to-Income Limits: FHA and VA allow DTI over 56.9%, and so do we, using the health of your overall finances on the application to justify the stretch.
  • A stable job and cash reserves can tip the balance.
  • Faster Comeback After Bankruptcy or Foreclosure: If you’re currently in a Chapter 13 and haven’t missed a payment for 12 months, there’s a path.
  • Or you may close on the same day as a traditional or non-QM loan discharge.
  • Other lenders may ask you to sit for two years or sometimes four.

We look at the entire picture, not just the numbers. Eight out of ten borrowers find us after being turned away somewhere else. We are more than a broker—we are your advocate. Our A+ rating with the BBB and dozens of five-star reviews on Google, Zillow, and Yelp show we deliver what we promise: no overlays, just results.

” FHA, VA, USDA, or a non-QM loan, our team crafts solutions for every story. Call us today at (800) 900-8569 or drop a note to gcho@gustancho.com. We’ll make it happen. “

Contact us today if any other lender has said “no” to you. We can show you how our no-lender-overlay plan can make your dream of owning a home come true. This means we accept the same rules you can read on government sites, without layers of internal “bonus” restrictions.

Definitely. More than 80% of our loans started after another lender said “no.” When we say “yes,” we mean your path to a mortgage is clear.

Absolutely! You can use Gustan Cho Associates’ online best mortgage calculators anytime, or chat with specialists on the GCA Forums.  

Most loans close in 21 days or sooner if your documents are ready on time.  

Yes, our experts, such as Gustan Cho and Alex Carlucci, specialize in non-QM loans, helping borrowers with unique income sources, credit challenges, or situations like those who are one day out of bankruptcy/foreclosure.

We are licensed in 48 states (excluding MA and NY), as well as Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing nationwide mortgage services.

Our digital experts, including Sapna Sharma, Anngelli Abenes, and Sheena Love, optimize our websites, forums, and portals for SEO, content quality, and user engagement, ensuring a rewarding experience for all visitors

You can start your online mortgage loan application or call our team to get the process rolling.  

Ready to Work with Our Team?

Contact us today for a free consultation. Our experienced team is ready to help you achieve homeownership, even if others have said “no.”

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Real Client Impact

  • After my Chapter 13 and divorce, lenders told me I couldn’t refinance. Gustan Cho Associates got me the loan, and they walked me step by step through the process.
    Claudia P.
    South Carolina
  • I have a 720 score and still my credit union demanded I wait two years after Chapter 13. With manual underwriting and no overlays, Gustan Cho approved my FHA loan on the spot.
    Anonymous
    North Carolina
  • My Chapter 13 was still open, so most places denied me. Gustan Cho came through with an FHA loan after just 12 months, no overlays, and no pressure.
    Gina Schroeder
    Wheeling, Illinois