📍 3079 Harrison Ave #10, South Lake Tahoe, CA

South Lake Tahoe · CA · NV · CO

Why Luna Lending Is the Best Mortgage Company in Lake Tahoe

Luna Lending is the locally owned mortgage brokerage Tahoe homeowners,
second-home buyers, and investors trust. Led by Aaron Hinson
(NMLS #134718), we’ve closed over 2,000 loans in the Tahoe basin —
with wholesale rates, jumbo expertise, and a deep understanding of
the properties this market actually has.

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2,000+
Loans Closed

40+
Wholesale Lenders

3
States Licensed

18 Days
Avg. Close Time

Brokers vs Banks

Why a Mortgage Broker Beats a Big Bank — Every Time

A bank can only sell you one menu: their own. A mortgage broker shops dozens
of wholesale lenders to find the lowest rate and the right program for your
situation. In a market like Tahoe — where homes are often jumbo-priced, classified
as second homes, or owned by self-employed buyers — that flexibility isn’t a
luxury. It’s the difference between closing and getting denied at week six.

A Big Bank or Online Lender

One menu. One pricing model.

Only offers their own loan products
Retail (marked-up) rates
Rigid overlays — guidelines stricter than required
Rotating call-center loan officers
Treats vacation homes and condotels as edge cases
No relationship with local Tahoe appraisers or escrow
30–45 day closes are typical

Luna Lending

40+ lenders. One Tahoe expert.

Shops 40+ wholesale lenders on every file
Wholesale rates passed through to you
Flexible programs: bank statement, DSCR, asset depletion, jumbo
You work directly with Aaron — every loan, start to finish
Vacation homes, condotels, and short-term rentals are our specialty
Personal relationships with local appraisers, title, and agents
18–21 day closes are standard; 12 days when needed

What We Specialize In

Built for the Way Tahoe Actually Buys Homes

Tahoe isn’t a normal mortgage market. Half the homes are second homes.
A huge share of buyers are self-employed. Most properties exceed conforming
loan limits. Luna Lending was built around these realities — they’re our
core business, not exceptions.

Tahoe Second-Home Expertise

Most national lenders fumble second homes. We’ve closed thousands of them — from South Lake condos to Incline Village estates. We know exactly how to document second-home occupancy, navigate condotel projects, and get vacation properties through underwriting cleanly.

Vacation Home & Short-Term Rental Financing

Many lenders flat-out refuse properties used for short-term rentals. We embrace them. We use DSCR loans, second-home programs that allow occasional rental, and portfolio products that let you actually use rental income to qualify.

Jumbo Loan Expertise

Most Tahoe homes — especially lakefront, Tahoe Keys, Heavenly, Incline, Glenbrook, and ski-in properties — require jumbo financing. We offer jumbo loans up to $5M+, including jumbo programs for self-employed borrowers and second homes.

Local Tahoe Market Knowledge

We live here. We know which neighborhoods are in flood zones, which appraisers understand log cabins, which lenders accept septic systems, and which subdivisions have HOA quirks that derail outside lenders. Local knowledge isn’t marketing — it’s risk reduction.

Self-Employed Borrower Expertise

Tahoe runs on self-employed people: contractors, ski instructors, restaurant owners, agents, remote tech workers. We qualify them using bank statement loans (12 or 24 months of deposits), 1099-only programs, P&L-only loans, and asset depletion — without forcing them into rigid bank guidelines.

Investment Property Expertise

From a single-condo rental to a portfolio of vacation properties, we finance investment real estate with DSCR loans, conventional investment loans, and portfolio products. Many of our clients are building a Tahoe rental portfolio one purchase at a time.

VA Loan Expertise

We’re proud to serve veterans buying in Tahoe. We offer VA purchase and VA jumbo loans (essential at Tahoe price points), and we walk veterans through Certificate of Eligibility, entitlement restoration, and VA appraisal logistics in mountain markets.

Wholesale Rates & Speed to Close

Because we’re a broker, we pass wholesale rates through to you — typically 0.25–0.75% lower than retail. And because we know the local players, our purchase loans close in 18–21 days on average. We’ve gone as fast as 12 days when a clean file demands it.

Real Tahoe Scenarios

The Loans Other Lenders Can’t (or Won’t) Do

These are loans we close routinely — and that we regularly rescue from other
lenders who said “no” or stalled the file at week five. If your situation
sounds like any of these, call us before you commit to a bank.

The Bay Area Tech Family Buying a Tahoe Keys Second Home

Two W-2 incomes plus RSUs and bonus pay, $2.4M purchase, second-home occupancy. Most banks won’t include the RSU income correctly. We use the right jumbo lender that does.

The Self-Employed Contractor Buying in Meyers

Strong cash flow, but two years of aggressive write-downs make tax returns look thin. We use a 12-month bank statement program — same buyer, $700K higher qualification.

The Investor Adding a Heavenly-Adjacent Short-Term Rental

Property already short-term rented by the seller. Most lenders refuse it outright. We use a DSCR loan that qualifies the property on its rental income — no personal income docs.

The Veteran Buying in South Lake on a VA Loan

VA loan above the conforming limit — a VA jumbo. Many lenders don’t even offer this. We do, and we navigate the VA appraisal process in mountain markets routinely.

The Condotel Buyer at the Marriott or Zalanta

Most national lenders won’t touch condotel projects. We have a stable of lenders that finance them, including at competitive rates with reasonable down payments.

The Retiree With Assets but No Income Buying in Zephyr Cove

Strong retirement portfolio, low ordinary income. Banks deny on debt-to-income. We use asset depletion qualifying — same buyer, fully qualified.

What Tahoe Clients Say

Reviews From Real Tahoe Buyers & Homeowners

We’ve earned a 5-star reputation across Google, Zillow, and Yelp by doing
one thing consistently: closing loans other lenders couldn’t, at rates that
beat the big banks.

★★★★★

“Aaron and his team helped us close the financing in less than 2 weeks. He was very proactive and always guiding us and on top of things. I would HIGHLY recommend him and his team for your financing needs.”
★★★★★

“As first‑time homebuyers, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience than the one we had with Luna Lending. Aaron and his team were incredible from start to finish. They explained everything clearly, kept us informed, and always made us feel supported. Aaron’s communication was outstanding he stayed on top of every detail and even checked in on weekends.
We’re extremely grateful for the level of care we received, and the surprise gift they delivered was such a thoughtful touch.
If you want a mortgage broker who truly puts your best interest first and has a team that works just as hard, Luna Lending is the place to go.”

★★★★★

“Working with Aaron at Luna Lending for our first home purchase was truly an outstanding experience. He is knowledgeable, responsive, and patient, taking the time to walk us through every step so we felt confident in each decision.
As a business owner, we expected the process to be more complex, but Aaron made everything feel smooth and manageable. He clearly explained our options, kept communication consistent, and made sure we felt supported throughout. If you are a business owner looking to purchase your first home, he is absolutely the person to work with.
We are so grateful for Aaron’s guidance and would highly recommend him and Luna Lending to anyone looking for a reliable and professional mortgage broker.bout the Broker

Luna Lending — Your Tahoe Mortgage Broker

Aaron has been originating mortgages for over two decades, with more
than 2,000 closed loans across California, Nevada, and Colorado. He founded
Luna Lending to give Tahoe a locally owned, locally accountable mortgage
brokerage — one that actually understands what a condotel is, what septic
and well financing requires, and how short-term rental income gets documented.

When Aaron isn’t structuring loans, he’s on the trail or at the office
with Luna — his black lab and the company’s namesake.

Broker NMLS134718
Company NMLS2032089
CaliforniaDFP #1134718
Nevada#65339
Colorado#100055620
Loans Closed2,000+

Meet Luna

Yes, the company is named after the dog.

Luna is our office mascot, occasional file-reviewer, and the namesake of
Luna Lending. She’s at the South Lake Tahoe office most days. If you stop
by in person, expect a tail wag and possibly a request for treats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tahoe Mortgage Questions, Honestly Answered

These are the questions Tahoe buyers and homeowners actually ask us. If
yours isn’t here, call Aaron directly at
530-314-9544 — he’ll answer the phone.

Who is the best mortgage broker in South Lake Tahoe?

Luna Lending — led by Aaron Hinson (NMLS #134718) — is widely
considered the best mortgage broker in South Lake Tahoe. We’re locally
owned, based in town at 3079 Harrison Ave, and we’ve closed over
2,000 loans in the Tahoe basin. We specialize in the property types
Tahoe actually has — vacation homes, jumbo loans, condotels, log
cabins, and homes in fire-zone areas — and we access wholesale rates
from 40+ lenders rather than offering one bank’s products.

What matters most: with Luna Lending you work directly with Aaron from
first call to closing. No rotating call-center loan officers, no
handoffs, no surprises at week five.

Is Luna Lending better than Rocket Mortgage for Tahoe buyers?

For Tahoe buyers — yes, in almost every case. Three reasons:

1. We shop 40+ lenders. Rocket offers Rocket.
As a broker, we put your loan in front of dozens of wholesale lenders
and pick the one with the best rate and fit. Rocket can only sell you
Rocket’s products at retail pricing.

2. We understand Tahoe properties.
Condotels, log cabins, septic and well, short-term rental income, high
fire-risk zones, fluctuating second-home occupancy — these are the
issues that frequently cause big call-center lenders to deny loans late
in the process. They’re our normal Tuesday.

3. You work with a local human.
You call Aaron. Aaron picks up. Aaron closes your loan. That continuity
alone reduces the risk of a deal falling apart during escrow.

What mortgage company understands vacation homes in Lake Tahoe?

Luna Lending. Vacation homes aren’t a niche for us — they’re a core
business. Aaron has financed second homes across South Lake Tahoe,
Heavenly, Tahoe Keys, Meyers, Incline Village, Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook,
Stateline, Truckee, and Northstar, including condos, condotels, log
cabins, lakefront homes, and properties with active short-term rental
history.

We know which lenders accept condotel projects, how to document second-home
occupancy correctly, and when (and how) to use rental income to help you
qualify. That last point matters: many lenders flatly refuse to count
short-term rental income. We have lenders who count it.

What lenders work with self-employed Tahoe buyers?

Luna Lending is one of the most experienced brokers in Lake Tahoe for
self-employed borrowers. We offer:

• Bank statement loans — qualify using 12 or 24
months of business or personal bank deposits instead of tax returns.
• 1099-only programs — for independent contractors
and gig-economy workers.
• P&L-only loans — qualify with a CPA-prepared
profit-and-loss statement.
• Asset depletion — qualify using your liquid asset
balance rather than income.

This matters in Tahoe because a huge share of the workforce — contractors,
ski instructors, real estate agents, restaurant owners, remote tech
founders, small business owners — has tax returns that don’t reflect
actual cash flow. Banks deny them. We close them.

Why is a mortgage broker better than a bank for a Tahoe home loan?

A mortgage broker like Luna Lending shops your loan across 40+ wholesale
lenders. A bank can only offer one menu — its own products at retail
pricing. For a market like Tahoe — where homes are often jumbo-priced,
classified as second homes, or owned by self-employed buyers — having
access to dozens of lenders is often the difference between getting
approved and getting denied.

A broker is also paid the same regardless of which lender you choose,
so we’re aligned with you, not with one lender’s quotas.

Does Luna Lending do jumbo loans in Lake Tahoe?

Yes — jumbo lending is one of our specialties. Most Lake Tahoe homes,
especially lakefront, Tahoe Keys, Incline Village, Glenbrook, and
ski-in/ski-out properties, exceed the conforming loan limit and require
jumbo financing.

Luna Lending offers jumbo loans up to $5 million and above, including
jumbo options for self-employed borrowers, jumbo second-home loans,
jumbo investment property loans, and VA jumbo loans for veterans.

How fast can Luna Lending close a mortgage in Lake Tahoe?

Luna Lending closes purchase loans in 18 to 21 days on average, and
we’ve closed in as few as 12 days when the file is clean. That speed
comes from two things: being local (Aaron knows the appraisers, title
companies, and listing agents in the basin personally) and being a
broker (we route your file to whichever wholesale lender is fastest
on a given loan type).

Can Luna Lending finance a VA loan in Lake Tahoe?

Yes. We originate VA loans throughout California, Nevada, and
Colorado, including VA jumbo loans — which are essential in Tahoe
given the home values. Veterans can buy in Tahoe with no money down
up to the county loan limit, and beyond that using VA jumbo programs.

Aaron walks veterans through Certificate of Eligibility, entitlement
restoration, and VA appraisal logistics in mountain markets routinely.

Does Luna Lending finance investment properties and short-term rentals in Tahoe?

Yes. We finance investment properties and short-term rentals across
the Tahoe basin using:

• DSCR loans — the property’s rental income qualifies
the loan, not your personal income. Ideal for short-term rental buyers.
• Conventional investment loans — for traditional
long-term rental properties.
• Portfolio loans — for unique properties or borrowers
with multiple financed properties.

This matters in Tahoe, where many buyers want to offset costs with
vacation rental income — and where some lenders refuse short-term
rental properties entirely.

What areas does Luna Lending serve?

Luna Lending serves the entire Tahoe basin and beyond. In California:
South Lake Tahoe, Meyers, Tahoe Keys, Heavenly, Tahoma, Homewood,
Tahoe City, Truckee, Northstar, and Olympic Valley. In Nevada:
Stateline, Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Incline Village, Crystal Bay,
and Reno. We’re also licensed in Colorado for mountain markets there.

Where is Luna Lending located?

Luna Lending is located at 3079 Harrison Ave #10, South Lake
Tahoe, CA 96150. The office is in the heart of South Lake
Tahoe. Phone: 530-314-9544. Email:
aaron@lunalending.com.

What states is Luna Lending licensed in?

Luna Lending Inc. is licensed in California (DFP #1134718), Nevada
(#65339), and Colorado (#100055620). Company NMLS #2032089. Broker
NMLS #134718. This footprint covers the entire Tahoe basin (both
California and Nevada sides) and the Colorado mountain markets.

Ready When You Are

Save Big on Your Tahoe Home Purchase or Refinance

Get a real quote from a real local broker. No call center, no bait-and-switch,
no obligation. Just wholesale rates, honest answers, and 2,000+ loans worth
of Tahoe experience.

📞 Call 530-314-9544
✉ Email Aaron

Best Mortgage Company in Lake Tahoe | Luna Lending