I am writing to you to express what a pleasure it was working with Stephen Shintani and his team. Over the past few years Stephen has assisted us with our home refinance and we just closed Escrow last week on another property. Every transaction has been stress-free and, best of all, no surprises at the close of escrow. Stephen always takes the time to explain different loan programs that best fit our needs. He is very easy to work with and is always available to take our calls. I also had the pleasure of working with Adam and Scarlett who were very helpful and a joy to work with. The Shintani Group has always gone that extra mile for us. This is something you rarely find these days. We trust and will use the Shintani Group for our future Mortgage needs.
- L. Cichy, Valencia

I became a client of Mr. Stephen Shintani back in 1998! Back then I turned over all my personal documentation with absolutely no idea of the caliber of services and benefits that I’d come to know and enjoy. For over a decade, Stephen has individualized and brokered financing for me twelve times: five new real estate loans and seven refis. The protocol for each closing has always been the same: a keen aptitude for real estate financing; thoroughly researched loan programs; close monitoring of every detail; and honest, creditable conversation. These landed me an amazing loan each and every time.

Stephen does so much more than just find financing. He is driven to build relationships with his clients. His mindset is to arm clients with info and choice that grow their worth. Faithfully behind his desk, he labors on their behalf. My 2010 refi of two rental properties is a prime example of this. The 2008 housing topple progressively worsened my monthly cash flow. By 2010, I was clearly having colossal challenges managing all of my obligations. Combing through his vast resources, Stephen located a banker that approved both properties for funding at the reduced rate of 5.5%. The refis netted me an additional $700. per month. Wow! The relief was immediate and gargantuan!

Doing business with Stephen renders so many incentives and accommodations. He engages in conversation after conversation about my financial goals. As well, he always provides me options i.e. option to go with bank “A” or bank “B”; option of “money-out” loans or “interest-only” loans. Several of the aforementioned transactions were completed without cost to me—again, without cost.

The Shintani Group is clearly a one-of-a-kind loan brokerage firm. The striking character Stephen displays personally overflows into the Shintani Group work place. He has created a climate of honesty, excellence and hard work in his Westside office, of course. Each time I come in, his staff is on task, professional, knowledgeable and welcoming. From the flat screen on the wall to desktops on every desk, technology is constantly used to track rates, trends and money news. On Stephen’s desk sits two computer monitors which are simultaneously used to examine and retrieve information with a tap of the mouse. Phone calls and emails are returned within a day. Stephen has frequently phoned late evening to update me on new products. This young man is serious. This young man is masterful.

Rest assured, my quality of life has risen as a result of the work of Stephen and his team. Suggestions, referrals and multiple financings obtained through the Shintani Group have provided the financial armor needed to realize the dreams of not only myself, but those of my children and grandchildren as well.

- Barbara L., Glendale

I’m a financial advisor and I have been recommending Stephen Shintani to my clients for twenty years. Stephen is very professional, very responsive and proactive. He makes the refinance process as painless as possible for my clients. He looks at the whole picture to determine the best situation for them specifically. Then he makes a recommendation and then he and I consult about it. I have had bad experiences with other mortgage brokers with lack of communication and bad customer service. Stephen has great customer service. I have even used him myself.
- Carolyn Hemann, Westchester

I have worked with Stephen for over ten years. I have bought and refinanced three different places with him. Stephen is great. His office has several people that are always fantastic. Stephen is always very thorough at explaining options and giving me a variety of choices. Because we have worked together so much, he understands my style, that I tend to err on the conservative side, but he still manages to give me multiple options and scenarios. Stephen stays in touch with the market and what new products are available and he calls me to let me know if there is something that would benefit me. Generally if rates are going down, he will contact me to let me know and will present two situations: one where I can lower my monthly payment and another where I can pay the same amount, but reduce the number of years I pay the mortgage (which I generally choose). Stephen is very reachable. If I need him right away, for example if I want to make an offer on a place and need a pre-approval letter, and he is on the phone, someone in the office will instant message him and let me know exactly how long it will be before he gets back to me. He can quickly determine if I am approved. Another plus is that Stephen makes money off of commissions from the financial product, not from any extra fees. Before I met Stephen I had another situation where I was stuck with a fee that wasn’t fair.
- T. Jensen, Hancock Park

I sell houses. One of my past clients six years ago called me and recommended the Shintani Group to me. It’s funny you are calling now because I just received a call two minutes ago from one of my clients who is having trouble with his loan. Stephen earned my loyalty by financing my home for me seven years ago. He got me a competitive rate, the fees were reasonable, he was professional, and he closed on time. Seven months later, the loan was done, and I was living in my house. He gave me a call. “I was reviewing your file. You know, I can refi and get you a better rate and save you $500 per month.” He told me what to do and I said “I’m there!” I did it, and he got me new loan. Again he charged nominal fees, and all the sudden I am saving $500/mo. The point of story is he didn’t have to do that. He was done with me. Let me ask you? How many people will keep in touch and redo the loan for you without asking?

I have a client now, and I told him to talk to Stephen. He said that he had a company he was working with for a few weeks. Now the company is 3 weeks late, hasn’t removed the contingencies, the seller has to move out, and the lender doing old bait and switch thing on him. My client is a lawyer and is freaking out, threatening to sue. He looked online and found out the company has complaints. Some loan companies get you down to the wire and you can’t switch and the rate they quoted you doesn’t exist! Now you’re six days from closing, and the buyer is stuck! The law has gotten better for consumers, but these problems still exist.

This hasn’t happened ever with the Shintani Group. I could not ever refer a client to a broker that would misrepresent a rate or not close on time. If they did that one time, I couldn’t use them. I’ve been using Stephen for ten years now! I have absolutely no complaints. On the contrary I have only praise.

His people are always available, always courteous, and complete everything in timely manner. They will even send a traveling notary if can’t make to the office. I can’t think of any area where they are in need of improvement. They are an A Plus rating.

- Bruce Walker, Hancock Park

Stephen is by far the best loan broker I know of. I’ve worked as a realtor for 32 years and I’ve dealt with many brokers and brokerage firms. Stephen is extremely careful and smart about pre-approving people and being honest with them about what they can actually borrow. He saves our clients and me time by determining a truly reasonable budget. Stephen is highly creative with finding the best package for clients. He advises them on how to organize their finances and financial history before applying so they can get approved quickly. He’s punctual, has an excellent staff, and his customer service is excellent. He always finds the best loan—if I bring him an offer and ask him if he can beat it, he always finds something better. His follow-up is very good—if forms are missing his staff is in touch promptly and he responds quickly to email.
- Jan Reichmann, Westwood

“Beyond first-rate” is how I would describe Stephen. Stephen got us a couple loans—the original loan for our house, and a refi as well. He’s so on top of things. Both my husband and I recommend him to anyone we can—whenever the subject of buying a home comes up. He locked us in at the point last fall when interest rates were at their lowest in years. He was so kind and he held our hands throughout the process. He’s a great reader of people and knows what you need to hear to get through it. It’s a lot of money. It was scary, specifically with regard to our refi, because things were so scary then with everything that was going on with the banks. The Shintani Group’s customer service is perfect. They are a fabulous, incredibly well run organization. Stephen’s competency and knowledge are incredible—he knows exactly what’s going on at all times in the market. Stephen also sends periodic newsletters to keep his customers up to date on what’s going on the market. And most importantly, I found him to be completely trustworthy.
- L. Crosswaite, Sherman Oaks