5 out of 5 stars
“Michael was very helpful and informative from the first time we contacted him! He helped guide us through the process of buying a home with great communication and support. I would definitely recommend his services to anyone!”
The McDermott Team
Michael McDermott
Mortgage Loan Originator | NMLS#:184065
NEXA Lending LLCNMLS#1660690 | AZ BANKER license: BK-2006218
One application. One credit pull. 300+ lenders.
I take one application and one credit report to those lenders. We pick from the strongest options together — not whatever one shop happens to have. I’ll walk you through the program and the guidelines.
Licensed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, and Texas.
(602) 694-5279 · mmcdermott@nexalending.com · Facebook · Google Business Profile
How it works
1
Talk or apply
Start with a call, Calendly, or a short application. You don’t have to research alone.
2
We walk the guidelines
One application. One credit pull. I take that to 300+ lenders through my broker channel and walk you through what actually applies to your situation.
3
We pick a path
Conventional, FHA, VA, HELOC, DSCR, specialty — we choose together, not whatever one shop happens to have.
4
Close with a clear plan
Docs come after we know the path. I’ll keep you posted so you’re never guessing.
Licensed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, and Texas.
What are you trying to do?
Pick a path. I’ll walk you through the program and the guidelines from there.
Buy a home
Purchase options in plain language. We’ll figure out which program fits — not a rate flyer.
Start hereRefinance
Lower the payment story, pull equity, or VA streamline/cash-out. Start here, then we’ll compare.
Start hereHELOC / equity
A line of credit while you keep the first mortgage. I’ll help you compare HELOC vs cash-out.
Start hereInvestor / rental
When rent needs to carry the loan, start with DSCR. I’ll walk the guidelines with you.
Start hereSelf-employed
Deposits and real cash flow — not “stated income.” Bank statement paths when they fit.
Start hereBuilding / reno
Ground-up, rehab into one mortgage, or bridge a timing gap.
Start here
Buying soon? Pre-approval vs pre-qualification. Not sure? Talk to Michael or Apply Now — you don’t have to pick the perfect card first.
About Me
I began helping homeowners in July 2002.
I approach this as education. Every buyer, homeowner, and investor is different. Different goals, different circumstances, different loan. It’s my job to find the mortgage that fits.
As a broker I have access to more than 300 lenders. They don’t all look at a situation the same way, and that’s the point. I find the lender willing to earn your business, then I walk you through the program and the guidelines.
Licensed / services these states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Texas.
Memberships
- National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB)
- Arizona Mortgage Lenders Association
- Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS)
- Private Pilot (FAA Certified)
Achievements
- Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS)
- Top 1% Mortgage Loan Originator recognition, Decade+
Hobbies
When I’m not helping a client, I’m outside hiking or fishing, flying, in the gym, reading, or on a road trip when I can get one.
Prefer the full program list?
Those six paths cover what most people need. If you want the full menu, start on Loan programs or More programs — every option is still there.
Show all loan programs
Conventional
A regular first mortgage when the situation is straightforward. No government backing. A solid purchase or refinance.
Read moreFHA
A good fit when a lower down payment or credit is part of the story. I’m happy to walk through whether it helps.
Read moreVA
For eligible veterans, active duty, and some surviving spouses. We start with the Certificate of Eligibility.
Read moreJumbo
For loan amounts above the conforming limit in that county. Same process. The numbers just have to support a larger loan.
Read moreRenovation
Buy or refinance and fold the rehab into one mortgage, so the work is part of the loan.
Read more
Specialties
DSCR
For rentals. The property’s rent is what the loan looks at, not a rebuilt W-2 story.
Read moreHELOC
A home equity line on a house you’re keeping. Approval can be done in 5 minutes. Funds in as little as 5 days. The first mortgage stays.
Read moreCash-out
Pull equity or roll other debt into a new first mortgage. Different tool than a HELOC, and I’ll tell you which one fits.
Read moreMore programs
Bank statement, construction, USDA, and the rest.
Read more
Reviews
What clients have said after we closed.
5 out of 5 stars
“When looking to see if we could buy a house, Mike helped us realize we could, with a very easy prequalification process. When it came time to actually purchase a house, Mike and his team were able to get us keys in hand, with a VA loan, with no money out-of-pocket. Thank you Mike! I highly recommend Mike and his team.”
5 out of 5 stars
“Michael is exceptional. He made our transactions effortless and he answered my hundreds of questions promptly and so respectfully. I highly recommend him and will definitely be using him again. In fact we did use him for another loan type that we needed after he helped us secure a new home loan!”
5 out of 5 stars
“Michael and his team are possibly the greatest team ever assembled for all your mortgage needs! They are the '96 Bulls of the mortgage industry. They made the process seamless and stress-free, leaving us to plan the logistics of moving across town with 6 little kids. We barely had to think about the financial side at all, because we had MJ and Pippen taking care of it for us! Truly, we would never even consider using anyone else!”
5 out of 5 stars
“Dawn and I would like to thank Michael and his team for all of their hard work to make the purchase of our new home a success. The process was swift and we were on top of what was taking place at every turn. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are the best!!”
5 out of 5 stars
“Working with Mr. McDermott made me feel incredibly lucky to have him as my Mortgage Loan Originator. He made the transition flow easily and walked me through every step till the end. I would recommend Mr McDermott to anyone with full confidence that he will get the job done in a very efficient manner.”
5 out of 5 stars
“It was a pleasure working with Michael and his team to secure a home loan. He was knowledgeable and transparent from the start. While diligently working away, he proactively kept us informed of progress through every step. If you’re looking for a lender, give him a call and decide for yourself.”
5 out of 5 stars
“The only team I rely on for my home purchases is Mike McDermott, and team! They have never failed me. My financing experience is always smooth, professional, patient with all my questions, and there’s never any last minute surprises! Whenever I purchase a home, this is the only team that I trust 100%! I constantly refer my friends, family and colleagues to call Mike McDermott for any of their home financing needs!!”
5 out of 5 stars
“Michael and his team were very supportive, knowledgeable, and great with communication!”
5 out of 5 stars
“Excellent! From beginning to end Michael got my client the best deal! Financing went very smoothly and so easy to get responses to my emails and messages I send to Michael, thank you!”
5 out of 5 stars
“Michael McDermott is an exceptional agent. Before working with him on our VA loan, we had spoken with a few other lenders and quickly realized they lacked both the knowledge and urgency we were looking for. From the moment we connected with Michael, the experience was completely different. He was professional, highly knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping us every step of the way throughout the process. If you’re looking for someone who truly understands the lending process and provides outstanding service, Michael is absolutely the agent you want on your side.”
5 out of 5 stars
“This was my second time using Michael and his team for our mortgage! For the second time in a row, his team was extremely responsive. To me this is the most important quality going through the closing process. Being able to contact him to make changes or answer my questions while not delaying the closing date is the reason we would use him again!”
5 out of 5 stars
“It's rare that another bald man does as good a job as me...but here I am writing this review for Michael. He did fantastic work on a couple refinances for me and my wife that were start to finish about 12 days each. Probably would have been faster if the appraisers schedule was better. Cannot say enough good things about him and his ability to find the right loan product that works for you. Highly recommend and will use again.”
5 out of 5 stars
“From the moment Michael McDermott and his team became involved with my home purchase needs, they were professional, compassionate, and exceptionally supportive of my somewhat “needy” questions. Mike even supported me by guiding me towards answers and professionals to assist in areas in which he was not directly involved. I would refer Michael to others for financial needs.”
5 out of 5 stars
“Michael and his team are great, they made the process easy and are well communicated and extremely organized, they stayed on top of everything, helped me out explaining everything with great details and guided me to the best options, I will work with his team again if needed, 100% recommend”
5 out of 5 stars
“Michael was great to work with. I would definately refer him to all my family and friends for their home financing needs.”
5 out of 5 stars
“His great communication skills made the whole process painless”
5 out of 5 stars
“Mike is and has been the best lender to work with.”
Guides
From the blog
Market notes and plain-English guides for buyers and homeowners.
How Much Home Can You Afford in Phoenix? A 2026 Framework
Phoenix framework — taxes, insurance, HOA, DTI concepts. No fake payment promise.
Sep 5, 2026
ReadSelf-Employed Mortgage: Bank Statement vs DSCR
Self-employed and investor fork — which lane fits the job.
Sep 5, 2026
ReadJumbo vs Conventional in Arizona Counties
County limits explained without a stale dollar table. Get current numbers with me, not a stale table.
Sep 5, 2026
Read
Common questions
Straight answers. I’ll still walk your situation with you — guidelines vary by lender.
Who is Michael McDermott?
I’m a mortgage loan originator (NMLS 184065) with The McDermott Team at NEXA Lending, based in the Phoenix metro. I’ve been helping homeowners since July 2002. I work as a broker: one application, one credit pull, access to 300+ lenders — and I walk you through the program and the guidelines that apply to your situation.
What does “#1 on Experience.com in Arizona” mean?
As of 2026-09-03 I’m ranked #1 on Experience.com in Arizona with Search Rank Score 764 and 4.92 from 949 reviews. That’s Experience.com’s ranking — not a claim that I’m “#1 on Google.” Read the profile.
Broker vs bank — how does one application / 300+ lenders work?
A bank mostly offers its own menu. As a broker I take one application and one credit report to 300+ lenders in my channel. They don’t all look at a situation the same way. We pick from the stronger fits together — not whatever one shop happens to have.
Which states are you licensed in?
Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, and Texas. If you’re outside those states, I can’t originate for you there.
How do I apply? What’s different about HELOC?
Most purchase and refinance programs: use Apply Now (Bevri). Prefer to talk first: Talk to Michael (Calendly). HELOC applications use Axen — often a fast path — from the HELOC page. Reverse and specialty cases are still a conversation when you want eyes on the path first.
Do you only do “easy” conventional loans?
No. Conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, HELOC, DSCR, renovation, construction, bank statement, reverse, and a long specialty list (non-warrantable condo, ITIN, foreign national, physician, 40-year, interest-only, and more). Not all situations qualify — I’ll tell you honestly.
Will you pressure me on rate?
I won’t print a stale rate or promise “best/lowest rates.” I’ll walk you through options and tradeoffs for your situation. Talk or Apply when you’re ready.
Awards
Top 1% Mortgage Loan Originator – USA, Scotsman Guide, Decade+
Top 1% Mortgage Originators in America, Mortgage Executive Magazine, Decade+
Young Gun Award Recipient, Mortgage Professional America (MPA), 2014/2015
Contact
Corporate office
5559 S Sossaman Rd, Bldg 1 Ste 101
Mesa, AZ 85212
Hours
- Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Friday 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sunday 11:00 AM–5:00 PM