Business Details
8 Years
experience
Operating out of Austin, LendFriend Mortgage supports borrowers in 17 states, including Texas, California, Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, and Virginia. The company was founded by brothers Eric Bernstein and Michael Bernstein and has successfully originated over $1.5 billion in residential loans. Our offerings include conventional, FHA, VA, VA IRRRL, jumbo, and non-QM mortgage programs. Our non-QM experience covers bank statement loans designed for self-employed borrowers, asset depletion loans for high-net-worth clients, and DSCR financing for investment properties. Clients frequently engage us for scenarios that require advanced lending knowledge, adaptable loan structures, and a higher level of execution than standard lenders can deliver.
Served areas
- Texas, Florida, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Connecticut, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, New Hampshire, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Tennessee, Oregon Virginia
Details
- Year established: 2018
- Licensed
Highlights and features
- We compare loan programs from over 40 wholesale lenders.
- We enable tech professionals to count RSU income.
- We provide crypto-backed mortgages using Bitcoin or Ethereum holdings.
- We deliver reliable execution and responsive support.
- We specialize in bank statement and asset depletion loans.
Services
Bank Statement Loans
LendFriend Mortgage offers bank statement loan programs that qualify borrowers using 12 or 24 months of personal or business bank statements. This eliminates the need for traditional tax returns and W-2 documentation, enabling self-employed individuals to secure financing. Clients benefit from faster approvals and accurate qualification based on actual cash flow rather than limited income statements.
Asset Depletion Loans
LendFriend Mortgage provides asset depletion mortgage programs that convert liquid assets into qualifying monthly income. Borrowers can use bank accounts, investments, and retirement funds without any employment or cash flow requirements. This approach enables high-net-worth clients to qualify for home loans while preserving their asset portfolios.
Crypto-Backed Mortgages
LendFriend Mortgage offers crypto-backed mortgage programs that qualify borrowers using Bitcoin or Ethereum holdings. Borrowers retain their digital assets while accessing financing, eliminating the need to liquidate cryptocurrency. This unique solution provides fast, transparent financing for tech-savvy homebuyers seeking flexible mortgage options.
Jumbo Loans
LendFriend Mortgage provides jumbo loan programs for home purchases and refinances exceeding conforming loan limits. We work with multiple lenders to offer competitive rates and flexible qualification options for borrowers with significant assets. Clients benefit from higher loan amounts and tailored terms that match their substantial financial profiles.
RSU Mortgages
LendFriend Mortgage offers RSU mortgage programs that count vested Restricted Stock Units as qualifying income. Tech professionals and equity-compensated employees can secure home loans without liquidating their shares. This enables them to leverage future equity while maintaining their investment positions securely.
Reviews (20)
Pc Willowrun
Jan 26, 2026
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Amazing lender for self employed borrowers.I spoke to a few lenders that were recommended to me by friends and family and LendFriend was by far the best. Eric was able to help me use my business bank statements to get qualified for the loan amount I needed. The entire process was very smooth and I was able to go under contract and close without any headaches. If you're a business owner trying to buy a home, Eric Bernstein at LendFriend is the guy for you.
Andrew Depies
Jan 01, 2026
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My wife and I chose LendFriend when financing our first home purchase and we could not be happier with the process. The entire team was so knowledgeable, helpful, and communicative from the initial consultation through closing. We absolutely recommend LendFriend to anyone looking to buy or refinance their home!
Suzanne Peterson
Dec 30, 2025
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I have nothing but great things to say about Eric Bernstein and his team at LendFriend! Truly white-glove service from beginning to end, making my home buying journey so much easier than ever before. Eric took the time to ensure I understood my options upfront and acted VERY quickly when I was asking for updates on the fly! I am so pleased with my experience overall and new loan, especially in this era of home buying.
I feel as though I got a solid rate and understand how to take advantage of lower rates in the future, with their help of course! It was an absolute pleasure working with Eric and his all-star team - from the first phone call to closing day, I trusted the team to ensure everything went off without a hitch (which it did!). It was as seamless of a process as it could be and I always felt like I was a priority. Their communication is outstanding and dedication to delighting their clients is untouched. I highly recommend working with this group - you will be in wonderful hands too!!
I feel as though I got a solid rate and understand how to take advantage of lower rates in the future, with their help of course! It was an absolute pleasure working with Eric and his all-star team - from the first phone call to closing day, I trusted the team to ensure everything went off without a hitch (which it did!). It was as seamless of a process as it could be and I always felt like I was a priority. Their communication is outstanding and dedication to delighting their clients is untouched. I highly recommend working with this group - you will be in wonderful hands too!!
Andrew Stein
Dec 27, 2025
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I'm originally from Florida and had very little familiarity with Austin or who I should be working with when I decided to buy a second home here. A buddy recommended Eric at LendFriend, and it turned out to be an excellent call.
Eric made the entire process very straightforward and easy to understand. He took the time to educate me on the Austin market, walked me through every step, and connected me with a great realtor, which made everything run smoothly.
He also locked in a great rate that bigger banks couldn't match. What really stood out was how genuine and helpful he was throughout the process. It never felt transactional. He's become a good friend, and now whenever I'm in town on business we hang out as friends while he makes sure I try every 'best of' restaurant in Austin. Great guy, great mortgage broker. I highly recommend Eric and the LendFriend team.
Eric made the entire process very straightforward and easy to understand. He took the time to educate me on the Austin market, walked me through every step, and connected me with a great realtor, which made everything run smoothly.
He also locked in a great rate that bigger banks couldn't match. What really stood out was how genuine and helpful he was throughout the process. It never felt transactional. He's become a good friend, and now whenever I'm in town on business we hang out as friends while he makes sure I try every 'best of' restaurant in Austin. Great guy, great mortgage broker. I highly recommend Eric and the LendFriend team.
Alex Green
Dec 20, 2025
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I recently used LendFriend for my home purchase, and they were fantastic! The team was professional, responsive, and truly caring. They explained everything clearly, answered all my questions, and made the process smooth and stress-free. What really sets them apart is their forward-thinking approachthey accept cryptocurrency holdings as proof of income/assets, which was a game-changer for me and made qualifying so much easier.
Communication was excellent, they secured a great rate, closed on time with no hidden fees, and their online portal was super easy to use. If you want a modern lender that puts you first, embraces crypto, and delivers results, choose LendFriend. I'll recommend them to everyonethank you for making my dream home possible!
Communication was excellent, they secured a great rate, closed on time with no hidden fees, and their online portal was super easy to use. If you want a modern lender that puts you first, embraces crypto, and delivers results, choose LendFriend. I'll recommend them to everyonethank you for making my dream home possible!
Skylar Eberhard
Nov 14, 2025
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They were great. They took the time to explain the process and help us through from start to finish. LendFriend gave us confidence that refinancing when we did was the right the call.
Kaitlyn Graziose
Oct 17, 2025
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The team at LendFriend made buying our home in Florida so easy. We had an expiring lease and LendFriend was able to move very quickly to get us closed in under 30 days before the lease ended. They also got us a great rate on a jumbo loan and were available day and night to answer all of our questions. If youre looking for a mortgage broker that makes the process stress-free while still getting you a great rate, you have to call LendFriend.
James Hardee
Sep 23, 2025
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The team at LendFriend was outstanding! They made the entire home-buying and closing process so much easier to navigate. Even with all the paperwork and details involved, they were always available to answer questions and kept everything moving smoothly. Thanks to their support, we were able to close on our dream home with confidence.
Taniya Perera
Sep 22, 2025
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As first-time homebuyers, we couldnt have asked for a better experience. The team was absolutely wonderful to work with incredibly patient, respectful, and always willing to take the time to answer our endless questions. Buying a home for the first time can feel overwhelming, but they made the entire journey so smooth and stress-free. What stood out most was how responsive and clear they were at every step of the process.
They explained everything in detail, never made us feel rushed, and truly went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and confident in our decisions. We are so grateful for their guidance and professionalism. Thanks to them, what could have been a stressful process turned into a very positive experience. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a lender especially first-time buyers who want a supportive and knowledgeable team by their side.
They explained everything in detail, never made us feel rushed, and truly went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and confident in our decisions. We are so grateful for their guidance and professionalism. Thanks to them, what could have been a stressful process turned into a very positive experience. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a lender especially first-time buyers who want a supportive and knowledgeable team by their side.
Kerstin Johansson
Sep 17, 2025
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Thank you to our Lend friend team! They came up with the best closing offer of all of our quotes. They were quick efficient and very communicative during the entire process. They met us outside of regular business hours to accommodate our work schedules. They helped us close on time smoothly and saved so much money in closing costs! I definitely recommend them.
Adam Mangen
Sep 15, 2025
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Eric and his team were amazing to work with. They helped us through every step of the home buying process and were always available to answer our questions when needed. This was our second home, and having Eric and LendFriend on our team made everything much much easier than the first time around. Can't recommend them enough.
Matthew Gross
Sep 04, 2025
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Buying our first home in NJ seemed overwhelming, but LendFriend made getting a mortgage with them a smooth experience. Eric and Crystal handled everything. They were able to use my RSUs to qualify us for the loan amount we wanted and were always available- even on holiday weekends. Thank you LendFriend!
Katia
Aug 27, 2025
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I had an exceptional experience with LendFriend Mortgage! From start to finish, the team made the process smooth, transparent, and stress-free. They took the time to explain every detail, answered all my questions promptly, and ensured I felt confident every step of the way. The customer service was outstandingfriendly, professional, and genuinely focused on helping me get the best possible rate. My closing was quick and seamless, and I couldnt be happier with the outcome. I highly recommend LendFriend Mortgage, Eric, and Chelsey to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy lender!
Rebekah Anthony
Aug 25, 2025
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Working with LendFriend was fantastic from end to end. During our home buying process, we vetted six different lenders. Eric and his team rose to the top because of how responsive they were; it really felt like they were working hard in our best interest. They were willing to run the numbers for every scenario in order to get us the best deal. In a volatile market, I found Eric's knowledge (and newsletter) reassuring and it helped me make sense of the current mortgage landscape.
As a busy professional and parent, I really appreciated how convenient they made the process. Even after we closed, Eric and his team continued to be communicative about when we'd be able to establish our account online to make our first payment. Homebuying is stressful enough and working with LendFriend actually made the lending aspect the smoothest part of our entire process!
As a busy professional and parent, I really appreciated how convenient they made the process. Even after we closed, Eric and his team continued to be communicative about when we'd be able to establish our account online to make our first payment. Homebuying is stressful enough and working with LendFriend actually made the lending aspect the smoothest part of our entire process!
Teresa
Jun 28, 2025
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LendFriend was absolutely amazing beginning to end. They were recommended to us and did not disappoint. As first time home buyers we had lost of questions and, before we'd even committed to working with LendFriend, Michael was readily available to answer all of our many questions about the process. We *wanted* to work with them but we were still committed to working with the lender/broker that would give us the best financial deal.
So we got quotes from LendFriend and from a couple of other places. LendFriend was by far the best option financially. So not only was their customer service on point, but the lender they found for us was fantastic and we got a great deal. We worked most closely with Crystal during the process of purchasing our home and she was also quick to respond and answer our questions. Michael, Crystal, Morgan, and the entire LendFriend team was fantastic. They were focused, detailed, and excited for us to purchase our first home. I couldn't recommend them more.
So we got quotes from LendFriend and from a couple of other places. LendFriend was by far the best option financially. So not only was their customer service on point, but the lender they found for us was fantastic and we got a great deal. We worked most closely with Crystal during the process of purchasing our home and she was also quick to respond and answer our questions. Michael, Crystal, Morgan, and the entire LendFriend team was fantastic. They were focused, detailed, and excited for us to purchase our first home. I couldn't recommend them more.
Jawon Smith
Mar 23, 2025
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This is my first time working with LendFriend, and I am completely satisfied with their service. They ended up being a back-up option when my builder's preferred lender was unable to fulfill the terms for my mortgage. LendFriend immediately step in and came in nearly $15k less than what the preferred lender quoted me. The team is extremely professional, and I would definitely work with them again in the future.
Dan S.
Mar 04, 2025
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Can't thank Eric and the entire team over at LendFriend enough. They pulled off the impossible when it seemed like my home purchase was not going to work out due to an appraiser issue. They worked tirelessly to find solutions and were able to pull It off. I recommend LendFriend to anyone who needs a knowledgeable experienced team. Thank you guys so much.
Sheila Boutros
Feb 26, 2025
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Were impressed once again by the exceptional service from LendFriend Mortgage! This is our second time using their services and, as expected, they've delivered on their promises. Purchasing our home in NC went smoothly thanks to their exceptional services. We appreciate that theyre available in several states, providing us with the usual great service and familiar staff wherever we move to. The process was just as smooth and efficient as the first time around, and the customer support team is always available to answer questions and provide guidance. Five stars again, and I look forward to working with them in the future!
Jay
Jan 17, 2025
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We recently had the pleasure of working with Eric Bernstein and his team at LendFriend, and the experience was outstanding. Their communication was clear and consistent throughout the entire process, making everything smooth and hassle-free. The team was friendly and easy-going, creating a comfortable environment that put us at ease. They offered a competitive interest rate, even matching or outperforming other lenders we considered. Eric and his team streamlined the process, ensuring there were no unnecessary delays or complications. We highly recommend LendFriend for their exceptional service and professionalism. Working with them was a truly positive experience.
Annie Momin
Oct 20, 2024
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I am so grateful for Micheal and his team at LendFriend. As a first time homebuyer with multiple businesses, I was very nervous about the loan process. Anyone whos self employed knows loan processes for us are more extensive but LendFriend made it an ease. From getting a great rate to closing, they made clear communication and were extremely helpful in making sure I had everything I needed to ensure we got the final approval well in advance of closing date. They are truly amazing people to have on your team. Thank you Micheal, Morgan and Crystal for your encouraging words and optimism throughout this process.