Your Cincinnati
mortgage lender.
Hey Cincinnati — I’m Zach. A home is more than four walls and a payment; it’s where birthdays happen and families grow. Whether it’s your first house, your next one, or an investment property, I’ll walk you through your options in plain English — and I actually answer the phone after 5.
The lineup
Whatever you’re buying, there’s a play for it
Every program below gets its own page, its own calculator, and a straight answer about whether it fits you.
First-Time Buyer
Ohio down payment assistance, OHFA programs, and a coach who explains every step before it happens.
Let’s go →FHA
Credit still healing? 3.5% down and forgiving guidelines put the keys in reach. Zach rebuilt his own credit — no judgment here.
Let’s go →1-0 & 2-1 Buydowns
A lower rate for years one and two — usually on the seller’s dime. Zach’s specialty play in this market.
Let’s go →DSCR & Investors
Qualify on the rent, not your tax returns. Build the portfolio in Ohio’s cash-flow market.
Let’s go →Self-Employed
Bank statement loans that use your deposits, not your write-offs. Zach’s been self-employed — he gets it.
Let’s go →Refinance
Five minutes of math tells us if a refi saves you real money. If it doesn’t, Zach will say so.
Let’s go →Napkin math, upgraded
What’s the payment on that house?
Estimates for illustration only — not a loan offer, rate quote, or commitment to lend. Your actual rate, payment, and costs depend on your full application.
Your estimated monthly payment
$2,097
principal + interest + taxes & insurance
Meet Zach
There’s a real family behind every loan. I act like it.
I don’t look at a mortgage as a transaction. It’s where birthdays get celebrated and traditions get made — and I’m just grateful to be part of it. My job is making sure you understand your options, feel comfortable asking questions, and know exactly what to expect.
Before mortgages I built my own businesses — so I’ve lived on self-employed income and rebuilt my own credit. I’m not a 9-to-5 loan officer. Questions don’t only come up during business hours, and when you need me, you can actually reach me.
— Zach Bates · NMLS #2687902
More about Zach →The game plan
Four steps. I’m with you for all of them.
Say hi
Call, text, or fill out the quick form. Fifteen minutes and you’ll know where you stand — no credit pull.
Get approved
A real pre-approval with real numbers, so your offer means something when you write it.
Find the one
Text me any listing and I’ll send the payment back before you finish the showing.
Close & celebrate
My closings average about 13 days. On time, no surprises, and you know what to expect the whole way.
Real questions
Things people actually ask me
How fast can you actually close a loan?
Zach's closings average about 13 days from application — roughly half the industry norm. Fast closings come from doing the work up front: a complete file, honest expectations, and a processing team at Coast 2 Coast that moves. If your timeline is tight, say so on the first call and he will tell you plainly whether it's doable.
Can I get a mortgage if I'm self-employed and write everything off?
Yes. Bank statement loans qualify you on 12–24 months of business or personal deposits instead of tax returns. Zach has lived on self-employed income himself — he co-founded a clothing brand before mortgages — so he knows exactly what that tax return looks like and which lenders actually say yes to it.
What is a 1-0 buydown and is it worth it?
A 1-0 buydown lowers your interest rate by 1% for the first year of the loan, usually paid for with a seller credit negotiated into your contract. It's one of Zach's specialties: in the right deal it buys you a cheaper first year without a bigger down payment. Whether it beats a permanent rate buydown depends on the credit available and how long you'll keep the loan — he'll run both versions for you.
What if I have questions at 8pm on a Saturday?
Ask them. Buying a home doesn't only happen between 9 and 5, and Zach doesn't disappear at the end of the business day. Call or text — if he doesn't have the answer immediately, he'll find it rather than make one up.
Where Zach lends
Every loan program in Cincinnati — and across Ohio & California
Zach also lends in Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, and across California — Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Sacramento and the Bay Area. All service areas →
Come say hi
Let’s get you home, neighbor.
Buying, refinancing, or just wondering what you’d qualify for — reach out and I’ll get back to you today. No credit pull, no pressure, no call centers. Just Zach.
Two minutes. A few questions.
The quick pre-approval form tells me enough to come back with real options — no SSN, no documents, no credit pull.
Start My Pre-Approval →Already talked to Zach and ready to move? Start the full application →