Ken Starks · Independent mortgage broker · 24 years · All 50 states
One application. Dozens of lenders compete for your loan.
A bank quotes you its own rate. Ken takes your file to the wholesale market and brings the offers back to you.
No cost. No obligation.
We're here to get your loan done.
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Shop the market.
Your file goes out to every wholesale lender in Ken's network, then you see the comparison side by side.
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One application.
Fill it out once. No re-keying the same income and asset details for five different banks.
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Straight answers.
Not a call center and not a chatbot. Ken personally reviews every file and manages it through closing.
The broker advantage
It's more than a home loan. It's the right loan, shopped for you.
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 isn't available directly to consumers.
The result: lower rates, lower fees, and access to loan programs most banks simply don't offer.
Mortgage programs
Every loan option under one roof
Every borrower is different. We match you to the right program from the full spectrum of residential mortgage products, not just the limited menu a single bank offers.
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Conventional
Competitive pricing for strong credit. As low as 3% down with removable PMI. Conforming limit: $832,750.
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FHA
3.5% down, credit scores from 580. Flexible DTI. Gift funds allowed for the full down payment.
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VA
0% down for eligible veterans and service members. No monthly mortgage insurance, no loan limit with full entitlement.
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Jumbo
Financing above $832,750. Competitive rates on luxury properties, second homes, and high-value investments.
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Non-QM / Bank Statement
Self-employed? Qualify with bank statements, 1099s, or assets instead of tax returns. DSCR investor loans with no income verification.
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Reverse Mortgage
Homeowners 62+. Convert equity to income with no monthly payments. 2026 HECM limit: $1,249,125.
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Refinance
Rate-and-term, cash-out, FHA Streamline, VA IRRRL, and non-QM refinance. Lower your rate or access your equity.
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First-Time Buyers
Arizona DPA programs, low down payment options, and step-by-step guidance for your first home purchase.
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Low Down Payment
Programs from 0% to 3% down, including DPA grants and investment property options for scaling a portfolio.
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Who we serve
Built for every kind of borrower
The Starks Team works with borrowers across every stage of homeownership and every income type. Here are the situations we handle most.
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First-Time Buyers
Low down payment programs, DPA grants, and step-by-step guidance.
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Move-Up Families
Upgrading to a larger home with equity from your current property.
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Self-Employed
Bank statement, 1099, and P&L loans for business owners.
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Real Estate Investors
DSCR loans, no income verification, scale without DTI limits.
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Veterans & Military
VA purchase and IRRRL refinance with 0% down.
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Luxury Buyers
Jumbo financing for high-value properties nationwide.
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Retirees
Reverse mortgages, asset depletion, and retirement planning.
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Credit Challenges
Recent credit events, lower scores, non-traditional credit.
How it works
A clear path from hello to keys
No surprises at the closing table. You see the full cost of every option before you choose one.
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Tell Me Your Situation
Call, email, or apply online. I'll ask about your goals, timeline, income, credit, and down payment to understand the full picture first.
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I Shop the Market
Your scenario goes out to every wholesale lender in my network. I compare rate, fees, and total cost across 20+ lenders, not just one bank's offer.
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You Choose, I Execute
I present the top options with full transparency. You pick the fit. From there I manage every step: underwriting, appraisal, title, and funding.
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Close with Confidence
I pre-underwrite every file to catch issues early and communicate proactively, so you always know exactly where things stand.
2026 loan comparison
Not sure which program fits?
The highlights at a glance. Click any program for full details.
| 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 to 620.
Meet Ken Starks
Two decades of solving the loans other lenders can't.
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 means I've already solved a version of your scenario, and I know exactly which lenders and programs fit each situation.
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. When you call, you talk to me directly. I personally review every file and manage every transaction through closing.
- Independent mortgage broker
- 2,400+ families served
- Gilbert, AZ · East Valley local
Where we lend
Arizona, Orange County & all 50 states
Deep local expertise across the Phoenix East Valley, and the same wholesale pricing wherever your property is, with a fully digital process from application to closing.
Local knowledge, national reach. Licensed in all 50 states, and a significant share of our business comes from outside Arizona.
Check the blog for rate updates, loan guides, and Arizona market data.
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FHAHow to Get Rid of PMI on an FHA Loan Without Refinancing
FHA MIP does not cancel like conventional PMI. When it drops off on its own, how the 11-year and 78% rules work, and when refinancing is the only exit.
Read the guide -
JumboJumbo Loans in Arizona: What Counts as Jumbo and How to Qualify in 2026
In 2026 the conforming loan limit in every Arizona county is $832,750. Borrow above it and the loan is jumbo. What that means for your down payment.
Read the guide -
Market updateArizona Mortgage Rate & Market Update: Week of August 7, 2026
Freddie Mac put the 30-year fixed at 6.69% for the week of August 6, 2026, a 2026 high. What moved rates, and what Phoenix inventory means for buyers.
Read the update
Common questions
Answers before you apply
What does a mortgage broker do differently than a bank?
What types of loans does The Starks Team offer?
What areas does The Starks Team serve?
How do I get started with an application?
See what you may qualify for.
One application. We shop it across the wholesale market, you choose the option that fits.