“Super impressed with how fast and smooth the whole process was — especially given my complex RSU comp structure that traditional banks kept discounting.
Eric and the team had no problem including my full base + RSU compensation. They were extremely fast, set clear expectations from the start, and followed through on everything they promised.
Honestly one of the easiest and most stress-free mortgage experiences I’ve ever had. Highly recommend!”
Eric Bernstein
Eric Bernstein is the President and Co-Founder of LendFriend Mortgage, an Austin-based brokerage licensed in 18 states specializing in Non-QM financing, including bank statement, asset depletion and no-ratio loans. He has closed more than $1.5 billion in home loans since 2018.
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President and Co-Founder, LendFriend Mortgage
NMLS #1486987
Austin, Texas
Eric Bernstein is the President and Co-Founder of LendFriend Mortgage, a mortgage brokerage based in Austin, Texas and licensed in 18 states. Since 2018, he has closed more than $1.5 billion in home loans for homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate investors.
Eric built LendFriend around borrowers whose finances do not fit a standard bank approval. His clients include business owners whose tax returns understate their cash flow, high-net-worth buyers with substantial assets and limited traditional income, real estate investors, crypto holders, and buyers already under contract who were declined by another lender.
Areas of Focus
- Jumbo loans. Eric structures jumbo loans for primary residences, second homes, and investment properties in high-value markets.
- Asset depletion mortgages. Borrowers with significant liquid assets may qualify through an asset depletion mortgage without relying on employment income.
- Bank statement loans. Business owners may qualify with a bank statement loan based on deposits in place of tax returns.
- Crypto mortgages. Digital asset holders may be able to use their holdings to qualify for a crypto mortgage.
- DSCR loans. Investors may finance rental property with a DSCR loan qualified on the property's rent in place of personal income.
- VA refinances. Eric has extensive experience helping veterans access their home equity through a VA cash-out refinance, including a VA jumbo cash-out refinance on higher loan amounts.
Published Work and Media
Eric writes many of the articles in the LendFriend Learning Center, covering mortgage rates, jumbo and Non-QM lending, and the housing market. His bylined articles, interviews, and podcast appearances are collected on the LendFriend press page, with coverage in Kiplinger, Bankrate, Yahoo Finance, HousingWire, Inman, National Mortgage News, National Mortgage Professional, Scotsman Guide, Inside Mortgage Finance, The Mortgage Reports, Propmodo, Homes.com, Military.com, and the Austin American-Statesman.
Approach to Client Service
Eric credits Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard as a major influence on how he runs the company. He holds the team to a standard where every client receives a personal, consistent experience from the first call through closing.
Eric and the LendFriend team work with more than 40 wholesale lenders across conventional, VA, jumbo, and Non-QM loans. Access to many lenders gives the team more ways to structure a loan when one bank's guidelines do not fit the borrower's financial picture.
BORROWER TESTIMONIALS
See Why Borrowers Call Us the Best Mortgage Broker
From first-time homebuyers and business owners to jumbo borrowers and clients with complex income, see what borrowers across the country say about working with LendFriend Mortgage.
★★★★★
“LendFriend is the absolute best. I found them after I was denied by a lender due to an appraisal issue. I spoke with dozens of lenders, but LendFriend was the only one that could figure out a solution. They were able to close my jumbo loan in less than 3 weeks and hit my closing date. If you need a lender to step in and save the day, call LendFriend!”
“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 approach—they 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 everyone—thank you for making my dream home possible!”
“As a 1099 worker with non-traditional income history, Eric was able to think outside the box and help me find a mortgage for my first home. The company was always problem-solving and the process was seamless. I have already recommended them to several other friends and colleagues. If you are a non-traditional borrower or are looking for someone that can come up with creative solutions, check out LendFriend!”
“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 you’re looking for a mortgage broker that makes the process stress-free while still getting you a great rate, you have to call LendFriend.”
“LendFriend made my homebuying experience so easy. As a business owner, I heard horror stories about how hard it can be for guys like me to get a mortgage. Thankfully I found LendFriend. Eric and the team had me approved in no time. My rate was great and they closed on time. Couldn’t ask for more.”
“Financing a home with acreage and unconventional retirement income can be overwhelming, but LendFriend Mortgage made the process smooth from beginning to end.
They were always quick to respond, answered every question we had, and explained each step in a way that was easy to understand. We always had direct access to the people actually working on our loan, which made the experience much less stressful.
What really stood out was that even after the loan funded, they continued helping and making sure we understood the next steps. There was never a feeling of “the loan closed, good luck.”
We truly appreciated the patience, communication, and support through the entire process and would absolutely recommend LendFriend Mortgage, especially for anyone with a unique financial situation or rural property purchase.”
“Eric and his team went above and beyond to help us with our home purchase. Our realtor recommended LendFriend to us and we couldn't have been happier with the recommendation. They were so nice and answered every question we had no matter how insignificant it seemed.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Eric Bernstein
Who is Eric Bernstein?
Eric Bernstein is the President and Co-Founder of LendFriend Mortgage, a mortgage brokerage headquartered in Austin, Texas. He has closed more than $1.5 billion in home loans since 2018 and leads the LendFriend team of loan originators and processors.
What is Eric Bernstein's NMLS number?
Eric Bernstein's NMLS number is 1486987. He originates loans through LendFriend Mortgage, which is licensed in 18 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and its home market for mortgages in Texas.
What types of mortgages does Eric Bernstein specialize in?
Eric focuses on jumbo and Non-QM financing for borrowers with complex income. His work includes self-employed home loans, RSU mortgages for employees paid in company stock, and jumbo asset depletion loans for buyers qualifying on their assets. He also works with veterans on VA loans.
Where has Eric Bernstein been featured?
Eric's writing and commentary have appeared in Kiplinger, Bankrate, Yahoo Finance, HousingWire, Inman, National Mortgage News, National Mortgage Professional, Scotsman Guide, Inside Mortgage Finance, The Mortgage Reports, Propmodo, Homes.com, Military.com, and the Austin American-Statesman. He has been a guest on mortgage and real estate podcasts, including Chrisman Commentary, and publishes regularly in the LendFriend Learning Center.
How can I work with Eric Bernstein?
Borrowers can schedule a call with Eric, email eric@lendfriendmtg.com, or call 512-701-1819. Feedback from past clients is collected on the LendFriend reviews page, and why borrowers choose LendFriend explains how the brokerage works.