Recommended Lender By Realtors With No Lender Overlays

When you hear the phrase recommended lender by realtors, it usually means one thing: this lender has already proven they can get deals closed on time with great communication and solid approvals.

If you are a homebuyer, you want to know why your agent keeps referring to the same lender.

If you are a realtor, you are tired of lenders who miss deadlines, go silent, or deny good buyers at the last minute.

In this article, we’ll explain:

• What “recommended lender by realtors” really means
• Why do so many agents choose Gustan Cho Associates as their preferred lending partner
• How our no lender overlays policy helps buyers who were turned down elsewhere
• How our communication, availability, and marketing support help real estate agents grow their business
• What this means for you as a homebuyer when your realtor recommends us

What Does “Recommended Lender By Realtors” Really Mean?

When a realtor calls a lender their recommended lender, it’s not about who has the flashiest ads or the biggest name. It’s about performance:

• Closes on time – No surprises at the closing table
• Honors pre-approvals – No last-minute denials because someone didn’t read the guidelines
• Communicates clearly – Keeps buyers, listing agents, and selling agents updated
• Solves problems – Works through credit, income, and guideline issues instead of just saying “no”

A recommended lender by realtors is someone who makes the agent’s job easier — and protects their reputation with their clients.

This is exactly where Gustan Cho Associates comes in.

Why Realtors Need a Trusted Lending Partner

Real estate is a stressful and competitive business. Realtors juggle:

• Showings and open houses
• Negotiations and inspections
• Appraisals, repairs, and deadlines
• Buyer emotions and seller expectations

Additionally, they are often required to answer mortgage questions that they shouldn’t have to handle. The wrong lender can:

• Go silent when problems show up
• Deny borrowers who are late in the process
• Ask for the last-minute conditions that cause delays
• Missed closing dates and costs everyone money and trust

That’s why the recommended lender by realtors is usually the one who:

• Picks up the phone
• Knows the guidelines
• Tells the truth up front
• Does everything possible to get the loan closed

Why Realtors Across the Country Recommend Gustan Cho Associates

Out-of-State Lender Realtors Can Actually Trust

Many realtors cringe when they hear “out-of-state lender.”

They’ve seen deals fall apart with call centers and big-box banks that don’t understand local practices or move fast enough.

Gustan Cho Associates is different.

• We are not a call center.
• We are not a loan officer “farm.”
• We are a smaller, highly skilled team of experienced mortgage professionals.

We work with realtors and homebuyers in many of the states where we are licensed. Our goal is simple: to be the recommended lender by realtors, delivering consistent and reliable results, regardless of where the borrower is buying.

No Lender Overlays Means More Approvals

Most banks and lenders have lender overlays — extra rules on top of FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac guidelines.

Examples of overlays:

• Higher minimum credit scores than agency guidelines
• Stricter debt-to-income (DTI) limits
• Tougher waiting periods after bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale
• Extra conditions that make it harder to qualify

At Gustan Cho Associates, we are proud to be a national five-star direct lender with no lender overlays on government and conventional loans. We strictly adhere to agency guidelines, not any additional in-house rules.

This is one of the biggest reasons realtors call us a recommended lender by realtors:

When another lender says “no” because of their overlays, we can often say “yes” based on real FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional guidelines.

Higher Debt-to-Income Ratios When AUS Allows

One of the most common reasons buyers get turned down is the debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

• Many lenders cap DTI at 50%
• Some overlays are even tighter than that

We follow the automated underwriting system (AUS) findings:

• On FHA, we can usually go up to 56.9% back-end DTI when AUS approves.
• On VA, AUS can often allow even higher DTI when the file is strong.

For realtors, this can be the difference between:

• A buyer being turned down and losing a house
• Or getting approved and closing on time

That’s why so many agents see us as their recommended lender by realtors when they have buyers with high DTI or complex files.

Full Menu of Loan Programs for Every Type of Buyer

Another reason Gustan Cho Associates is a recommended lender by realtors is our wide range of mortgage products:

• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional loans
• FHA loans are a great option for individuals with lower credit scores who don’t have a substantial amount saved for a down payment.
• VA loans are available to qualifying veterans and active-duty military personnel.
• USDA loans for qualifying rural properties and buyers
• NON-QM and alternative documentation loans for self-employed borrowers, investors, and those with unique situations

Instead of telling a buyer “you don’t fit this box,” we look for the right program to fit their situation.

Communication and Service That Make Realtors Look Good

Available Seven Days a Week

Real estate does not run Monday through Friday, 9–5. Neither do we.

At Gustan Cho Associates:

• Our team is available seven days a week
• We are reachable in the mornings and evenings
• Buyers, listing agents, and selling agents get direct cell phone access to loan officers

Realtors call us a recommended lender by realtors because they know they can reach us when it matters — during offer negotiations, inspection deadlines, and tight closing timelines.

Proactive Updates on Every File

Nothing is more frustrating for a realtor than:

• Not knowing where a loan is in the process
• Getting vague answers
• Being surprised by last-minute problems

Our process is built around communication:

• You’ll get email updates automatically at every stage of the mortgage process.
• Our team will reach out with calls and texts to both the buyer’s agent and the listing agent.
• Clear timeline expectations from pre-approval to clear to close

As a recommended lender by realtors, we understand that your reputation is tied to ours. Keeping everyone informed is one of the best ways we protect that.

Educating Borrowers So Realtors Can Focus on Real Estate

Buyers often ask their realtor questions like:

• “What’s this condition?”
• “Why do they need this document?”
• “What does this form mean?”

Those are mortgage questions — and they should be answered by the lender, not the realtor.

We take time to:

• Explain documents in plain language
• Walk buyers through disclosures
• Set expectations on documentation, timelines, and conditions

This allows realtors to focus on what they do best: finding and negotiating homes, not explaining underwriting.

Over 75% of Our Borrowers Were Turned Down Elsewhere

One of the strongest reasons we’ve become a recommended lender by realtors is our track record with challenging files.

• Many of our borrowers were denied by other lenders
• Often, the denial was due to overlays, not proper agency guidelines

Here’s how we approach it:

1. Review the denial – Was it due to overlays or guideline issues?
2. Re-run AUS with no overlays – See what FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac actually allow.
3. If we can approve, we move quickly to meet contract deadlines.
4. If we cannot approve right now, we will create a custom plan for the buyer:
   • Credit repair steps
   • Debt pay-down strategies
   • Savings goals for down payment or reserves

We also keep the realtor updated, so when the buyer is ready, they come back to the same agent. In a competitive business, this is a key part of why we are a recommended lender by realtors across many markets.

Marketing Support and Co-Branded Partnership for Realtors

Beyond loan approvals, realtors also need help generating and converting leads.

At Gustan Cho Associates, we:

• Have a full-time marketing team
• Create custom flyers for open houses and listings
• Offer co-branded marketing pieces for agents and loan officers
• Share the marketing cost 50/50 to stay RESPA-compliant

This marketing support helps agents grow their brand while partnering with a recommended lender by realtors who can actually close the loans.

How Working With a Recommended Lender Helps Homebuyers

If you are a homebuyer and your realtor suggests a recommended lender by realtors, you might wonder:

“Are they just referring a friend, or is this actually good for me?”

Here’s how a trusted, recommended lender can help you:

• Stronger pre-approvals – Your pre-approval is more likely to withstand underwriting scrutiny.
• Better communication – You know where you stand at each step.
• More program options – Especially with a no-overlay lender like GCA.
• Fewer surprises – Clear expectations on documents, timelines, and costs.

You are not required to use your realtor’s recommended lender. But when that lender is Gustan Cho Associates, you benefit from a team that:

• Works closely with your agent
• Fights to get you approved within fundamental guidelines
• Keeps everyone informed from start to finish

This is what it means in practice to work with a recommended lender by realtors.

How to Partner With Gustan Cho Associates

If you are a realtor looking for a reliable, recommended lender who can handle tough files, or a homebuyer who wants a lender your realtor can trust, we’d love to connect. Please contact us at 800-900-8569, text us for a faster response, or email us at alex@gustancho.com.

We will:

• Review your scenario
• Go over your options
• Explain how our no lender overlays, flexible guidelines, and strong communication can help you and your clients

Whether you are in a state where we are currently licensed or you need guidance, our team is here seven days a week to help.

Whether you’re a realtor seeking a long-term lending partner or a homebuyer whose agent has recommended us, we are ready to review your scenario and help you move forward toward achieving the American Dream of homeownership.

Frequently Asked Questions Abut Recommended Lender by Realtors:

What Does “Recommended Lender by Realtors” Really Mean?

It means the lender has earned the trust of real estate agents through solid performance — on-time closings, strong communication, and reliable approvals. Realtors see which lenders save deals and which ones kill them. Those top performers become their recommended lenders.

Should I Use My Realtor’s Recommended Lender?

You are always free to shop around, but using a recommended lender by realtors like Gustan Cho Associates can offer advantages:

• Your realtor and lender already have a working relationship

• Communication is usually smoother

• The lender has a proven track record with local transactions

It’s still smart to ask questions and compare, but a recommended lender has already passed a real-world test with other buyers.

Why Do Realtors Recommend Gustan Cho Associates?

Realtors recommend us because:

• We have no lender overlays on FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans

• We can often go higher on DTI when AUS allows

• We handle many turned-down borrowers from other lenders

• We communicate with both buyer’s and listing agents throughout the process

• We are available seven days a week

All of this makes us a strong recommended lender by realtors nationwide.

Can You Help Buyers Who Were Denied by Another Lender?

In many cases, yes.
If the denial was due to lender overlays, we may be able to approve the buyer based on true agency guidelines.

If we still cannot approve the loan, we will:

• Explain exactly why

• Create a written game plan to help the buyer qualify as soon as possible

• Keep the realtor in the loop so the relationship stays strong

What Makes Gustan Cho Associates Different From Big Banks or Call Centers?

We are a smaller, focused team that chooses quality over quantity. We offer:

• Direct access to experienced loan officers

• No lender overlays

• Flexible DTI when AUS allows

• Wide range of loan programs, including NON-QM

• Personalized service and proactive updates

That’s why so many agents call us their recommended lender by realtors.

How do I Get Started with Gustan Cho Associates?

It’s simple:

• Call (800) 900-8569

• Or email alex@gustancho.com

Whether you’re a realtor looking for a long-term lending partner or a homebuyer whose agent recommended us, we are ready to review your scenario and help you move forward toward the American Dream of homeownership.

This article about “Recommended Lender By Realtors With No Lender Overlays” was updated on November 13th, 2025.