Santa Cruz Home Finance

I’ve bought two homes with Jessie’s help. Jessie Brumbaugh is, hands down, the best! She is knowledgeable and thorough in making it all a breeze to understand. I wouldn’t buy a home using any other lender. She makes you feel part of the family.

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Andrea Schenk helped us buy our first home. She answered every single question we had, and there was a lot this being our first time buying a home. I felt very comfortable working with Andrea. Everyone in the office was very nice and even played with our daughter while Andrea was helping us. I recommend SCHF to everyone! Thank you again so much Andrea! :)

I’ve been working with SCHF for several years and found them very professional and good to work with. Taking the best care of their clients.

This place is super helpful, knowledgeable and easy to get ahold of. I started off with Mary Ann who was great. But have been working with Jessie Brumbaugh who I highly recommend! Jessie walked me through the process, and gave me a better understanding of what I need to do to get into the market.

I worked with Tai Boutell when I bought a home in Santa Cruz and found him to be very helpful, knowledgeable, and responsive. I highly recommend Tai and his team!

Yay! We just bought our first home, and Victor was amazing he explained everything in a very clear way. Our loan went through easy breezy with out a hitch. We got a very low interest rate and got the very best loan for us. He is very trustworthy. He is your man if you are looking for a sincere, positive gentlemen that knows what he is doing. You can tell he really does care. He walks you through all of your options. You will not regret it, if you give him a try.
Victor D. Romero
Mortgage Banker
License #1 494 811
NMLS #253 333
1535 Seabright Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95 062
(831) 214‑2172 Cell
(831) 425‑1250 Office

I worked with Tai Boutell to purchase my first home. He was helpful, easy to work with and understanding. Tai is knowledgable about first time buyer programs, and he educated me on all of the options available based on my circumstances. It was great to work with a local broker. Tai had a great attitude even when I was at the height of the stress involved in purchasing a home. I highly recommend Tai and the folks at Santa Cruz Home Finance if you are looking for a local mortgage broker.

I cannot speak highly enough of Andrea Schenk at Santa Cruz Home Finance. I am a first time homeowner, and I would not have made it through the process without Andrea. She was my partner from start to finish — encouraging, funny, supportive, and INCREDIBLY knowledgeable!
In order to make my House-​of-​My-​Own dream happen in Santa Cruz, my financing relied on four different types of home buyer assistance. With this more complex — but affordable — loan package, I was able to reach to a really nice, exciting part of the housing market. I was ecstatic! But then — when I went out to the market, it was so competitive that I feared my dream was only a dream.
Andrea came to the rescue by pairing me with a very experienced realtor for first time homebuyers, Millou Rose at Bailey Properties. Now I had a complete team — and Andrea and Millou fought through the competition to get my purchase offer accepted. The key factor for getting my purchase offer accepted over the many others that would offer on the same house was Andrea’s expertise with closing these special loans… and not just getting deals done — but getting them done in just 30 days — just like anyone else’s loan. If Andrea says you are pre-​approved for XX amount, then you really are — and the real estate professionals in Santa Cruz County know that you are. Andrea’s word is one of confidence.
When I started trying to buy a house, I met with 3 other mortgage brokers at reputable firms in Santa Cruz. Two advertised themselves as first time home buyer specialists, one was a recommendation from a friend. None of these folks were current on first time home buyer programs and had not actually put a loan together with one in many years. I got the distinct sense that they did not think home ownership was a real option for me. One was nevertheless a really good mortgage broker, I’m sure, but did not make any time for me. The market moves so fast, a mortgage broker has to be there for you.
Andrea was always there — even when my question wasn’t urgent or time sensitive — Andrea got back to me lightning fast. It took me a long time to get my personal finances in order, and to have my part time income season long enough to become qualifying income for my home purchase. Andrea helped me build a path to home ownership, and stuck by me the whole way to make it happen. She never once asked me to change or lower my goal.
There are a lot of rules to the home buyer assistance programs; A LOT of rules. The programs can work together — but it is not always easy or straight forward. Andrea knows ALL the programs; how they work together, and how they don’t. With Andrea’s help, I did not feel frustrated or limited by the extra rules. She is very creative — very «make it happen». So rather than hear «no» from Andrea; I’d hear — «yes, but we’d need to do it like this…»
I am a receptionist at an animal hospital. Thanks to Andrea Schenk, I am also a homeowner. I no longer worry about rent increases. Most of my income still goes to pay for my housing expense — but now it is my investment, too. Andrea didn’t help me get to be just an owner — Andrea helped me get the purchase power for a really great house, with a monthly mortgage that I can truly afford.
If you are thinking of buying a house — talk to Andrea. I know you will be glad that you did. The whole way through — I always felt so very grateful that I had Andrea Schenk in my corner.

My husband and I had been renting for the past ten years. We have two children and found out they wanted to sell our rental. We decided it was time to buy. I was referred to Santa Cruz Home Finance by a realtor. Eventually we starting working with Tai. We found a home in four months and wanted to do a 30 day escrow. Tai was super organized from day one. We are first time home buyers and knew nothing about this whole process. He guided us day by day and answered ALL our questions promptly. We also learned a TON! We had co signers and funds coming from Philadelphia! So not only were we dealing with a 30 day escrow, we had fed ex packages being over nighted (dealing with snow storms) all the way from PA. We are forever thankful that Tai and his team made this happen for us. We had are obstacles and he made it happen. I would refer my closet friends and family and will be going back when we decide to re-​fi. Can’t say enough good things about this company and we are beyond thankful!!! Five star service all the way. We are happy first time home buyers!

As a teacher in Santa Cruz County, I knew that buying a home within the area would be a challenge. After meeting with Tai Boutell at Santa Cruz Home Finance, I was informed of three different programs that could help me purchase a home. Three different programs have three different checklists, timelines, and workload, yet Tai and his team were able to pull off all three successfully. I can only imagine the efforts required to make it all work, and I am so grateful for that. Tai’s expertise, creative thinking, and thoroughness were instrumental in helping me buy my first home. I went from search to sold in less than three months, which I consider an exceptional success considering all my programs, and a low-​inventory market. I highly recommend him and the team at Santa Cruz Home Finance. Thanks a million, Tai!

As we started looking for our first home, there was no question that we would work with Tai Boutell (and Santa Cruz Home Finance). Tai has helped my parents with their multiple home purchases as I grew up over the years in Santa Cruz County and they absolutely love him and his team!
Tai was incredibly organized and very thorough with us from day one! By the time we found our home (many many months later), the final loan approval process was very quick! Escrow was also smooth and Tai made sure he was available to answer any questions/​concerns we had. He put me at ease multiple times (when I was freaking out) and always made sure I understood everything!
Buying a home (let alone a first home) is extremely stressful, we could not have done it without Tai and his team. He has gained life time customers with us!

My husband and I just purchased our first home in Boulder Creek, with the help of Tai. We are so very grateful for the experience we had with him at Santa Cruz Home Finance. Initially, Tai sat down with us for several hours explaining to us the process. We had so many questions and pretty much had no idea about buying a home. Tai was patient, respectful, and really spent the time answer all our questions. It was also amazing to watch him change certain aspects on his computer screen to show us how many options there are when it comes to the loan. This helped us understand the complex nuances and options that we had. Tai was incredibly organized and collected everything he needed up front so that by the time we found our dream home (a year later), the final loan approval was a piece of cake and very quick. Once we were in escrow, Tai worked hand in hand with us to continue answering all questions and making the processes as smooth as possible. He was also very easy to contact and got on Skype with us when we were out of town and went into escrow. He connected with our realtor and just made our side as easy as possible.
Buying a home is beyond stressful and complicated. We couldn’t imagine going through this process with anyone else. We HIGHLY recommend working with Tai!

I would highly recommend Santa Cruz Home Finance specifically Mr. Tai Boutell! All of the staff has been very helpful in helping my boyfriend and I get credit scores and finances in line! We have been working with Tai for several months now and he is so through, has a fabulous follow through and is quick to get the job done whatever it may be! Great job and way to go!

Tai is the best. My husband and I worked with him for more than 4 months trying to get qualified for a mortgage. It was not easy, but Tai had faith in us and we were able to pull it off. Anytime we had a question, he was there to answer almost immediately, even on the weekends. There is no other place to go to look for financing. This is the best place ever!!!

Simply put, Tai is great! I can’t think of any aspect of the refinance experience that I would want to change. After my experience of working with Tai, I wouldn’t even consider working with anyone else.

Thanks to the Unilocal community I was able to locate Victor Romero from SC Home Finance and throughout our home hunting, loan app and close of escrow he was there for us! Victor is a true professional, he was patient with us as he explained different financing options (more than once) for us and eventually walked us through the 203K FHA rehab process and for us there at the close of escrow to answer questions and explain the legalese of the documents we were signing off on. Without a doubt, I would recommend Victor to anyone looking at purchasing a home

Review: Andrea Schenk
I left a message and received a callback within the hour. Even though I told her I wasn’t ready to buy a home for two years, she patiently and thoroughly answered all of my questions, which ranged from multi-​state real estate investment, building credit after marriage, strategies to qualify for loans, and the process in general. Thank you Andrea.

Review: Andrea Schenk.
When referring Andrea to any of my clients or clients of other REALTORS I do not and can not refer to her as a «Lender». In my view of things over these past nearly 4 years Andrea quickly became my highly trusted Business Partner and is THE OTHER REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL! Andrea’s response time is immediate and always comes with the full package of research it take to provide our clients with the choices they need in making the largest purchase of their lives. She shows «up to the party» and «brings the party favors» without a doubt. I appreciate this more then I can say as surrounding yourself with only the best is the true meaning of the word: Successful! Thank you Andrea!
Ellen Carter
REALTOR & Senior Short Sale Negotiator
Forensic Auditor & Expert Witness Consultant
Directions Real Estate Services/​Rose Homes
Capitola, CA 95 010
(831) 345‑1381

Victor Romero was amazing!!! This was our first house purchase and we were a little weary about being qualified to finance a house. Victor hand held us through the whole process. He made us feel comfortable and confident. I NEVER felt taken advantage of or pushed into anything. Victor is so professional and at the same time completely down to earth. He is so great with numbers, explains everything in detail and writes the figures down for you and then sends them home with you, answers emails and phone calls immediately, I never felt odd asking him a million questions, he helps suggest things to better your credit rating (if needed) and when it came time to close — it happened extremely fast!
Santa Cruz Home Finance is a broker so the loan funding is in the same office and it is done immediately. They later transfer the loan to a bank (ours is now with Bank Of America); however, this was a total invisible process to us, Victor took care of it all. Since it originally funded in-​house, it dramatically cuts down the closing process. Those last few days are so important and we were sitting on pins and needles till it closed — luckily, it was completed super fast! Victor is truly phenomenal! I have referred him to all my friends and family.
If you are concerned with the drive… we live about 30 minutes away and were concerned too when we first were referred to Victor… but let me tell you, it was sooo worth it! We only had to go into the office twice. The first time to meet him and give him the main paperwork and the second time to sign the closing documents. He even stayed late for us to make it easier on our schedule. All the other correspondence was done via email.
We always look for an excuse to drive to Santa Cruz, so I realized this was just a bonus! We couldn’t imagine a better way to Celebrate than dinner in Downtown Santa Cruz and a drive to the beach!
Victor is the absolute best and definitely worth the drive!!!

Victor is a genius! My boyfriend and I are a few days from close of escrow on our very first house and Victor has been wonderful throughout the entire process from start to (soon to be) finish. Of course like many first time home buyers you have many questions (I had a billion — he answered all of them, FAST!) and nothing is more terrifying then the thought of something happening to your loan while you are smack dab in the middle of falling in love with your dream home! He is very responsive, for-see’s any issues that may arise and is always 10 steps ahead in case they do!
One perfect example of Victor’s incredible ability to keep my panic attacks to a minimum was when there was a difference in numbers that increased due to a payment in student loans, I of course freaked out and thought that the whole deal was going to be ruined, etc. I called Victor in a panic and received a call back (after «normal» business hours) almost immediately with him calmly letting me know that he anticipated a change and we were totally fine and we were on the same team. working for the same goal. I felt so much better =)
This type of person is very hard to come by, don’t leave the biggest purchase of your life to the wrong people who are only looking for a check! Pick a person who is as emotionally invested in your home as you are.
Call him! Information Below.
Victor D. Romero
Mortgage Banker
License #1 494 811
NMLS #253 333
1535 Seabright Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95 062
(831) 214‑2172 Cell
(831) 425‑1250 Office