We're an independent wholesale brokerage in Santa Monica. We price your scenario with multiple lenders, explain the trade-offs in plain English, and don't charge junk fees. Sometimes our advice is to wait.
NMLS #2113850 · Licensed in California, Colorado & Florida
"We closed in a couple of weeks and it was amazingly smooth even when I was traveling out of the country."
Think outside the branch.
A bank can only offer its own loans. As a broker, we can take your scenario to many lenders.
A bank can only offer its own loans. As a broker, we can take your scenario to many lenders.
Because we broker wholesale, multiple lenders price your scenario. That includes specialty programs for investors and the self-employed.
Four calculators built on the same math we use to structure real loans. No email required, and nothing leaves your browser. If the numbers raise questions, bring them to a 15-minute call.
$4,931/mo
$4,098 principal & interest · $833 taxes & insuranceIllustrative only: 20% down, 30-year fixed, California property tax (1.1%) and $1,200/yr insurance. Not a rate quote or offer to lend.
Open the full calculator with these numbers →Your full monthly cost, including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA and PMI, with state-based defaults.
Calculate payment → Affordability calculatorWork backward from your income and debts to a realistic price ceiling, with program eligibility.
Find my ceiling → Coverage ratio calculatorWill the rental cash flow? See the coverage ratio, cap rate and which loan programs fit.
Run the deal → Refinance calculatorSee when a refinance pays for itself, including the cost of restarting your loan term.
Check my break-even →Why we built these: clients who understand the numbers make better decisions. Run your scenario, then bring us your questions.
By closing day, you'll already know the rate, the fees and the timeline.
A 15-minute call about where you are and where you're headed. No application and no credit pull. Sometimes the right answer is to keep your current loan.
"My experience with Mike was quick, clear, and very helpful!"Tara Williams · Refinance
As a wholesale brokerage, we price your file with multiple lenders and show you the rate, points and fees side by side.
"Beating out all the competition in both rate and communication."Jordan Rich · New build, Florida
We aim for a fast closing and keep you updated throughout. Afterward, we keep an eye on rates and call you if they move enough to matter for your loan.
"He actually kept in touch with me for several months until rates had dropped enough."Stephanie Bailey · Refinance“We worked with Mike on our refi and he was so transparent, flexible and communicative. He actually kept in touch with me for several months until rates had dropped enough and also gave us advice to increase our credit score in the meantime.”
“Great working with Mike during my first purchase. He's quick, responsive, and knowledgeable … Would happily use again if ever purchasing again or refinancing.”
“Mike was very knowledgeable and a pleasure working with him. He handled our situation with care and we appreciate his time.”
“Mike went above and beyond for us securing a mortgage for our first home. Absolute pleasure and highly recommend working with them.”
“Mike is very knowledgeable with so many lending products and always there to help! He makes buying a home so easy! Didn’t know that going to a mortgage broker would save me so much more money than the banks but I’m glad I did! :)”
Chrissy HooverPurchase“Paras led us through our home refinance process and it was so smooth and quickly done.”
“My experience with Mike was quick, clear, and very helpful! I truly enjoyed working with Mike and the whole refinancing experience was very easy!”
Tara WilliamsRefinance“It was a new build with a lot of challenges along the way. Mike was recommended to us through our realtor, and he did not disappoint.”
“Paras Kalra at Buku Lending provided exceptional service from start to finish. He truly went above and beyond, securing us an excellent interest rate and guiding us seamlessly through a fast-moving escrow…”
Jeven UralilFirst home“I had an outstanding experience working with Mike on my mortgage refinance. He truly went above and beyond throughout the entire process.”
“I highly recommend Mike Race for your lending needs. He went above and beyond to help us get our forever home. The communication and flexibility meant everything to my fiancé and I…”
Elisa MolinaPurchase“Mike was amazing on helping me buy my first home!!! … Mike made the whole process so easy for me!!”
“So glad that we had an opportunity to work with Mike/Buku Lending. Through Mike's efforts, my husband and I were able to close on our first home. We could not thank you enough!”
Toan P.First home“Mike was extremely helpful and went above and beyond for us when we purchased our first house. I will certainly go to him for all my mortgage needs in the future…”
“The Buku Lending Group are professional, experienced and great to work with. … I would definitely use their services again.”
Charlotte JacksonGoogle review“Very knowledgeable and honest about looking out for our best interest.”
“Mike is the best. He got my loan done fast and hassle free! I highly recommend using him.”
Clara TakahashiGoogle review
NMLS #1477752
Mike founded Buku so clients get advice before they apply, a plain explanation of each trade-off, and no junk fees. He specializes in jumbo and jumbo-government (FHA/VA) lending across the LA Westside, Long Beach to Malibu.
"From day one, he was proactive, detail-oriented, and always one step ahead…"Alex Behling · Refinance · Google reviewTalk to Mike · 15 min →
Sr Mortgage Advisor
NMLS #1867680 · DRE #02136590
Sr Mortgage Advisor · Florida
5+ years real estate & custom builds
Sr Mortgage Specialist
Client experience, start to close
Mortgage Processor
Leeds Business School, real-estate emphasis
Mortgage Processor
Files moved fast, across every lender
If yours isn't here, ask us on a 15-minute call.
Retail banks sell you their own shelf. As an independent brokerage, we submit your scenario to multiple wholesale lenders who compete on rate and terms. We're paid the same no matter which lender wins, so our recommendation isn't tied to any one of them.
A pre-approval involves one mortgage credit inquiry, and credit models treat multiple mortgage inquiries within a shopping window as a single event. The 15-minute strategy call before that requires no credit pull at all.
Usually, yes. Bank-statement programs qualify you on 12–24 months of deposits instead of tax returns, and DSCR programs qualify investment properties on rent alone. Many banks don't offer these loans, and they're where a broker is most useful.
Run the break-even calculator first. It includes the cost of restarting your loan term, which is easy to overlook. If the math says wait, we'll tell you, and we'll keep an eye on rates for you.
It depends on the loan and the lender, but a complete file moves quickly. One client's refinance closed in a couple of weeks while he was traveling abroad. On the first call we'll give you a realistic timeline.
Yes, often. Several of our five-star reviews are from first-time buyers. We'll walk through conventional, FHA and VA options, the down-payment and mortgage-insurance math, and what you can comfortably afford before you ever apply.
Bring your scenario, your calculator results or just your questions. There's no application and no credit pull.
Mon–Fri 7am–8pm · Sat–Sun 10am–4pm PT
