Your Top Mortgage Broker

Specializing in complex solutions for Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Luxury Homebuyers.

23+
Years in Mortgage Lending
2,400+
Families Helped
Top 1%
Scotsman Guide Originator
50
States Licensed

Why Work with a Mortgage Broker?

When you go to a bank, you get that bank's rate. When you work with The Starks Team, we shop your loan across the entire wholesale lending market — dozens of lenders competing for your business at wholesale pricing that is not available directly to consumers.

The result: lower rates, lower fees, and access to loan programs that most banks simply do not offer. Federal law caps broker compensation at 2.75%, while bank profit margins on mortgages typically run 4.5% to 6%. That structural advantage flows directly to your bottom line.

Over 23 years, I have helped more than 2,400 families — many of them more than once. First-time buyers. Move-up families. Self-employed entrepreneurs. Real estate investors building portfolios of 20 or more properties. Retirees evaluating reverse mortgages. Each situation requires a different solution, and finding that solution is what I do every day. Learn more about the broker advantage.

Who We Serve

The Starks Team works with borrowers across every stage of homeownership and every income type. Here are the situations we handle most frequently.

First-Time Buyers

Low down payment programs, DPA grants, step-by-step guidance

Move-Up Families

Upgrading to a larger home with equity from your current property

Self-Employed

Bank statement, 1099, and P&L loans for business owners

Real Estate Investors

DSCR loans, no income verification, scale without DTI limits

Veterans & Military

VA purchase and IRRRL refinance with 0% down

Luxury Buyers

Jumbo financing for high-value properties nationwide

Retirees

Reverse mortgages, asset depletion, and retirement planning

Credit Challenges

Recent credit events, lower scores, non-traditional credit

How Working with The Starks Team Works

1. Tell Me Your Situation

Call, email, or apply online. I will ask about your goals, timeline, income, credit, and down payment to understand the full picture before recommending anything.

2. I Shop the Market

Your loan scenario goes out to every wholesale lender in my network. I compare rates, fees, and total cost across 20+ lenders and bring back the best options — not just one bank's offer.

3. You Choose, I Execute

I present the top options with full transparency. You pick the one that fits. From there, I manage every step through closing — underwriting, conditions, appraisal, title, and funding.

4. Close with Confidence

No surprises at the closing table. The rate I quote is the rate I deliver. I pre-underwrite every file to catch issues early, and I communicate proactively so you always know where things stand.

Quick Loan Comparison — 2026

Not sure which program fits? This overview covers the highlights. For detailed information on each, click through to the full program pages.

Program Min. Down Min. Credit Best For
Conventional 3% 620 Strong credit, removable PMI
FHA 3.5% 580 Lower credit, flexible DTI
VA 0% 580* Veterans & service members
Jumbo 10% 700 Loans above $832,750
Bank Statement 10% 660 Self-employed borrowers
DSCR 20% 620 Rental property investors
Reverse (HECM) N/A None Homeowners 62+

*VA has no official minimum; most lenders require 580–620.

About Ken Starks

I started in the mortgage industry in the early 2000s and have originated loans through every market condition the past two decades have produced — the boom, the crash, the recovery, and everything since. That depth of experience means I have already solved a version of your scenario, and I know exactly which lenders and programs work best for each situation.

I have been recognized as a Scotsman Guide Top 1% Mortgage Originator year after year — a distinction based on verified loan volume. I live in Gilbert, Arizona with my three daughters, served on the Town of Gilbert Public Facilities Municipal Property Corporation, and have deep roots in the East Valley community.

When you call, you talk to me directly. Not a call center, not a chatbot. I personally review every loan file and manage every transaction through closing. That hands-on approach is how we have served over 2,400 families — many of them multiple times, and many of them referrals from people who trust us enough to send their own family members our way.

Read more about my background and approach →

Serving Arizona, Orange County, and All 50 States

Our office is in Gilbert, Arizona, and we have deep local expertise across the Phoenix East Valley — Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and the surrounding communities. We also have strong market knowledge in Orange County, California.

But our licensing covers all 50 states, and a significant portion of our business comes from clients outside Arizona. The mortgage process is fully digital — applications, document uploads, rate locks, and even closings can happen remotely. Whether you are buying a home across town or across the country, we provide the same level of service and the same access to wholesale lender pricing.

Local knowledge, national reach: For Arizona clients, I know the neighborhoods, the appraisal trends, the school districts, and the builders. For out-of-state clients, I bring the same lender network and rate shopping advantage — the wholesale pricing is the same regardless of where the property is located. Explore purchase options or refinance options to get started.

Common Questions

A mortgage broker shops your loan across dozens of wholesale lenders to find the best rate and terms for your specific situation. A bank only offers its own products at its own rates. As a broker, I compare pricing from 20 or more lenders on every loan, giving you access to wholesale rates that are not available directly to consumers. This competition between lenders typically results in lower rates and fees compared to going to a single bank. Read the full comparison.

We offer the full spectrum of residential mortgage products: Conventional loans (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), FHA loans, VA loans for veterans and service members, Jumbo loans for high-value properties, Non-QM loans including bank statement loans and DSCR investor loans, Reverse Mortgages (HECM) for homeowners 62 and older, and HELOC products. We handle both purchase and refinance transactions on primary residences, second homes, and investment properties.

We are licensed in all 50 states and can originate mortgage loans nationwide. Our office is located in Gilbert, Arizona, and we have deep local market expertise across the Phoenix East Valley — including Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley. We also have strong expertise in Orange County, California. Most of our clients work with us remotely via phone, email, and secure digital applications.

You can get started by calling Ken directly at (480) 400-5626, emailing newloans@thestarksteam.com, or completing the online application. Ken personally reviews every application and will reach out within one business day to discuss your best options. There is no cost and no obligation for a consultation — we will run your numbers across multiple lenders and show you the best available terms before you make any decisions.

Ready to Find Your Best Rate?

Call me directly, start your application online, or just ask a question. No obligation, no pressure — just straight answers from someone who has been doing this for over two decades.

Call (480) 400-5626 Start Your Application
The Starks Team | NMLS #173595 | Equal Housing Lender
NMLS Consumer Access
1530 E Williams Field Rd Ste. 105, Gilbert, AZ 85295