Buying a home in San Diego is a big deal, and the person who handles your loan should treat it that way. I’m Maureen Martin, and I’ve been a San Diego mortgage broker for 26+ years. I’m the friend you call when you want a real person who knows this city, not an app, not a call center, and not a rate you can’t actually obtain when it matters.
I work with two kinds of buyers, and I work with them well: military families using their VA loan benefit, and everyday buyers getting a purchase loan on a home in San Diego County. If that’s you, you’re in the right place.
Your best friend in the San Diego mortgage business
Here’s what 26+ years has taught me: people don’t remember their interest rate to the third decimal. They remember whether their loan officer picked up the phone. They remember whether someone explained the funding fee before they panicked about it, and whether the deal closed on time so they could move in on the day they planned. Rates change, markets change, but the experience when buying a home will last forever.
That’s the part I care about. I run my business personally, with my processor Joshua Barton, through HomePlus Mortgage. When you call (619) 857-7191, you get me, someone who knows this market, knows these loan programs, and knows how to solve problems before they become closing delays. I’ll always tell you the truth, even when it’s not what you were hoping to hear, because my job is to help you make the smartest decision for your situation, not just close a loan.
The two things I do best: VA loans and purchase loans
VA loans for San Diego’s military families
San Diego is a military town, and the VA loan is one of the best benefits a service member has earned. Zero down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance, and competitive rates. I help active-duty and veteran buyers stationed at Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, and NAS North Island use that benefit the right way, including folks PCS’ing in from out of state who have never bought here before. Start with my complete San Diego VA loan guide to see how the whole process works.
Purchase loans for San Diego buyers
Not military? No problem! Not all of my clients are military. Whether you’re a first-time buyer in Chula Vista or moving up to a bigger place in North County, I’ll help you find the loan that fits, be it conventional, FHA, jumbo, or a low-down-payment program. San Diego prices are real, so the right structure matters. Learn more about buying a home with a purchase loan, or browse all the loan programs I offer.
Areas I serve across San Diego County
I’m based off Granite Ridge Drive in Kearny Mesa, but I work all over the county. A few of the areas I help buyers in:
- Central & coastal San Diego — Mission Valley, Point Loma, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, downtown.
- North County — Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido (popular with Camp Pendleton families).
- South Bay — Chula Vista, Eastlake, Bonita, National City, Imperial Beach.
- East County — La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside.
- Near the bases — homes within reach of Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, and Coronado / NAS North Island.
If your neighborhood isn’t on the list, call me anyway, if it’s in San Diego County, I can almost certainly help.
Why work with me instead of a big online lender
The big online lenders spend millions to make you feel like you’re saving money. Here’s the honest comparison:
- Competitive rates and fees. As a broker, I shop multiple lenders for your loan instead of selling you one company’s product. That competition usually wins you a better deal.
- A real person. You get my personal cell phone number, not an 800 number that calls into a national call center. When a listing agent calls to check that your financing is solid, a well recognized local mortgage broker on the line wins your offers.
- Extensive Experience and product knowledge– most loan officers at the big online lenders come with little to no experience. With no experience or knowledge to help solve issues that come up in a transaction and trust me, there is always something that pops up. Who you work with matters as far as navigating the loan process.
- Deep San Diego knowledge. I know which condo complexes are VA-approved, how fast escrows really close here, and what underwriters in this market actually ask for.
- Customers for life. Most of my business is referrals and repeat clients. Read my client reviews and you’ll see the pattern.
How the loan process works
It’s simpler than most people fear. Here’s the path:
- Talk to me first. A quick call tells us your price range and the right direction for your new loan.
- Get pre-approved. This is your green light to find out how much you qualify for, and the thing that makes your offer credible. Working with a reputable, local loan officer will actually help your offers get accepted because listing agents prefer to work with someone they know can get the job done vs. taking the risk with an online lender with limited experience in the business.
- Find your home. Your agent does this part; I make sure your financing keeps pace and we can hit your major deadlines like your loan and appraisal contingencies on top of your close of escrow date.
- Lock, process, and close. I handle the lender guidelines, all of the paperwork, and all of the deadlines so escrow closes on schedule.
Ready when you are. You can get pre-qualified online or just call me.
What San Diego clients say about working with me
After 26+ years, the reviews tell the story better than I can; first-time buyers who felt looked after, Marines who closed fast, families who came back for their second and third home. See more on my testimonials page, and learn more about me and how I work.
Let’s talk — your San Diego mortgage starts here
Whether you’re using a VA loan to buy near base or getting your first purchase loan in the county, I’d love to help. No pressure, no call center, just a straight conversation about your options.
| Maureen Martin — HomePlus MortgageCall or text: (619) 857-7191Email: Maureen@SanDiegoHomeLender.com1455 Frazee Road, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92108Get Pre-Qualified · serving all of San Diego County |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best mortgage broker in San Diego for VA loans?
There’s no single “best,” but you want a broker who specializes in VA loans, works the San Diego market every day, and answers the phone. Maureen Martin has been a San Diego mortgage broker for 26+ years and focuses on VA and purchase loans, including families relocating to Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, and NAS North Island.
Is Maureen a direct lender or a mortgage broker?
Maureen is a mortgage broker operating under HomePlus Mortgage. As a broker, she shops multiple lenders to find your best rate and terms, rather than selling a single company’s loan products. She also has some options to be a direct lender with certain banks. If this is important to you, she’s happy to walk you through the pros and cons of both types of financing options.
What areas of San Diego County do you serve?
All of it, from coastal communities like Pacific Beach and Carlsbad to South Bay (Chula Vista, Bonita), East County (La Mesa, El Cajon), and the areas around every major San Diego military base.
Do I need to come to your office to get a loan?
No. Most of the process happens by phone, text, and secure online upload. The Mission Valley office is here if you’d like to meet in person, but it isn’t required.
How do I get started?
Call or text (619) 857-7191, or get pre-qualified online. A short first conversation is enough to tell you your price range and the right loan program for your situation.
