Charlotte-based mortgage broker offering home purchase and refinance loans with personalized service from owner Angelo Datseris and his team.
Data compiled from public sources · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available
Leverage Lending Group is a locally-owned mortgage brokerage based in Charlotte, North Carolina, founded and operated by Angelo Datseris. The company positions itself as an alternative to large national banks, emphasizing personalized service and local market experience context. They operate through a small team model rather than a corporate structure, with named loan officers including Angelo, Justin Roland, and other team members who work directly with clients throughout the lending process.
The company offers standard mortgage products including home purchase loans for first-time and repeat buyers, rate refinancing options, and FHA/VA loan programs. Clients can submit loan inquiries online through their website and access digital tools like a Home Purchase Qualifier and Refinance Rate Checker. The company uses what customers describe as user-friendly software for document submission and ongoing communication during the loan process.
Leverage Lending Group distinguishes itself primarily through claimed availability and responsiveness—multiple reviews specifically mention Angelo and team members answering calls and texts on nights and weekends. The company emphasizes treating clients as valued individuals rather than transaction numbers and claims to offer creative problem-solving, flexible loan terms, and rate claims to verify typical of mortgage brokers who can shop multiple lenders rather than being limited to one institution's products. 0 rating, though this perfect score warrants healthy skepticism for any consumer service business.
Verification of specific claims about rates, terms, and service quality would require independent research beyond their marketing materials.
This is state-level context for Mortgages & Home Loans consumers in Charlotte, NC. It does not confirm that Leverage Lending Group or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
North Carolina Commissioner of Banks
Consumer protection
North Carolina Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
North Carolina mortgages are regulated under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 45-21.1 et seq. (Residential Mortgage Lending Act). Foreclosures proceed non-judicially when a power of sale is present in the deed of trust; otherwise judicial foreclosure is required. All mortgage servicers and brokers must be licensed by the Commissioner of Banks. North Carolina requires compliance with federal TILA and RESPA requirements.
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Leverage Lending Group offers 12 services including Home purchase loans for first-time homebuyers, Home purchase loans for repeat/move-up buyers, Conventional mortgage refinancing, Rate-and-term refinancing services, FHA loan programs, and 7 more.
Leverage Lending Group has profile signals associated with First-time homebuyers in Charlotte seeking personalized guidance and patient support through a complex process, Homeowners refinancing in North Carolina who value local broker relationships over large bank impersonality, Self-employed or small business owners needing mortgage brokers experienced with non-traditional income verification, Repeat borrowers in the Charlotte market looking to maintain relationships with established loan officers.
Key strengths: Multiple reviews cite weekend and after-hours availability—Angelo and team members reportedly answer calls on Saturday nights and maintain constant contact; Personalized loan officer relationships—clients work with named individuals (Angelo, Justin, Abby) rather than call centers; Repeat customer base—at least one reviewer mentions successfully closing 3 loans with the company over multiple years. Areas to consider: No published rate information—website does not disclose current rates, APRs, or pricing, requiring direct inquiry; No transparency on loan products—specific loan types (conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, etc.) are mentioned by customers but not detailed on website.
In the Mortgages & Home Loans category, comparable providers include Georgia Auto Pawn, Inc., GoCredit.me- Lansing, TRACIR Financial Services. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
profile signals for Charlotte-area homebuyers and refinancers who prioritize personal relationships and availability over shopping rates across many lenders, and who value a local broker's market knowledge. Main caveat: website provides no rate quotes, fee schedules, or product details—all key pricing and terms require direct contact, making rate comparison difficult before speaking with loan officers.
Georgia Auto Pawn, Inc. Jonesboro, GA — Georgia Auto Pawn, Inc. offers title pawns (collateral-based loans) up to $15,000 using vehicle equity, with app...
Google rating from 767 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers with poor or no credit history facing short-term cash needs, Vehicle owners needing short-term funds who can afford to pledge their car title
GoCredit.me offers credit builder loans up to $4,000 that combine short-term cash access with credit history reporting and forced savings components.
Google rating from 823 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers with no or poor credit history seeking to establish payment history, Borrowers researching short-term cash access while building credit simultaneously
Tracir Financial Services provides indirect subprime automobile financing to credit-challenged consumers through dealer partnerships, operating since 1988 with offices in Ohio and Mississippi.
Google rating from 671 reviews
Profile signals: Automobile dealers seeking reliable subprime financing options for their credit-challenged customers, Credit-challenged consumers who work with participating automotive dealers in Ohio or Mississippi regions
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Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Lenders are required to show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the lower-cost loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
An interest rate that stays the same for the entire life of the loan. Your monthly payment never changes.
Fixed rates protect you from market changes. If rates go up, your payment stays the same. The tradeoff: fixed rates are usually slightly higher than starting variable rates.
Example
You get a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% fixed. Whether rates rise to 9% or drop to 4% over the next 30 years, your payment stays at $1,264/month on a $200,000 loan.
The percentage a lender charges you for borrowing their money, calculated on the amount you still owe. It's the lender's profit for taking the risk of lending to you.
Even a 1% difference in interest rate can cost you thousands over a loan's life. Lower rates mean less money out of your pocket.
Example
On a $20,000 car loan for 5 years: at 5% you pay $2,645 in interest. At 8% you pay $4,332. That 3% difference costs you $1,687 extra.
An interest rate that can go up or down over time, usually tied to a benchmark like the prime rate. Your monthly payment changes when the rate changes.
Variable rates often start lower than fixed rates to attract borrowers, but they can increase significantly. Many people who got hurt in the 2008 crisis had adjustable-rate mortgages.
Example
You start with a 5/1 ARM mortgage at 5.5%. For the first 5 years you pay $1,136/month on $200,000. Then the rate adjusts to 7.5%, and your payment jumps to $1,398/month.
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example
Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example
Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
A fee some lenders charge if you pay off your loan early. The lender loses the interest they expected to earn, so they penalize you for leaving early.
Always ask about prepayment penalties before signing. They can trap you in a high-rate loan even if you find a better deal to refinance into.
Example
Your mortgage has a 2% prepayment penalty for the first 3 years. If you refinance after year 2 on a $200,000 balance, you'd owe a $4,000 penalty fee.
Replacing your current loan with a new one, usually at a lower interest rate or with different terms. The new loan pays off the old one.
Refinancing can save thousands if rates drop or your credit improves. But watch for fees — a $3,000 refinancing cost needs to be offset by monthly savings.
Example
You have a $180,000 mortgage at 7.5% ($1,259/month). You refinance to 6% ($1,079/month), saving $180/month. With $3,000 in closing costs, you break even in 17 months.
The process where a lender evaluates your finances — income, debts, credit history, assets — to decide whether to approve your loan and at what rate.
Understanding what underwriters look for helps you prepare a stronger application. They check your DTI ratio, employment stability, credit score, and the asset's value.
Example
You apply for a mortgage. The underwriter reviews your pay stubs (income), bank statements (savings), credit report (history), and orders an appraisal (home value). This takes 2-4 weeks.
The fees paid when finalizing a home purchase or refinance — typically 2-5% of the loan amount. They include appraisal, title insurance, attorney fees, and lender fees.
Closing costs can add $6,000-$15,000 to a home purchase that buyers don't always budget for. Some can be negotiated or rolled into the loan.
Example
You buy a $300,000 home. Closing costs at 3% = $9,000. That includes: appraisal $500, title insurance $1,500, attorney $800, origination fee $3,000, taxes/escrow $3,200.
Upfront fees you pay to the lender at closing to buy a lower interest rate. One point = 1% of the loan amount and typically reduces your rate by 0.25%.
Points make sense if you plan to stay in the home long enough for the monthly savings to exceed the upfront cost. That breakeven point is usually 4-6 years.
Example
On a $250,000 mortgage at 6.5%: you pay 1 point ($2,500) to get 6.25%. Monthly payment drops from $1,580 to $1,539 — saving $41/month. Breakeven in 61 months (5 years).
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
An account managed by your mortgage lender that holds money for property taxes and homeowners insurance. A portion of each mortgage payment goes into escrow, and the lender pays these bills for you.
Escrow ensures taxes and insurance are always paid on time (protecting the lender's investment). Your monthly payment may go up if taxes or insurance increase.
Example
Your mortgage payment is $1,400: $1,050 principal+interest + $250 property taxes + $100 insurance. The $350 for taxes/insurance goes into escrow. The lender pays your tax bill in December from escrow.
A government-insured mortgage that allows lower down payments (as low as 3.5%) and lower credit score requirements (580+). The FHA insures the loan, reducing risk for lenders.
FHA loans make homeownership accessible for first-time buyers and those with imperfect credit. The tradeoff: borrowers are required to pay Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) for the life of the loan.
Example
You have a 620 credit score and $10,500 saved. On a $300,000 home: FHA lets you put 3.5% down ($10,500) vs. conventional requiring 5-20% down ($15,000-$60,000).
The ratio of your loan amount to the property's appraised value, expressed as a percentage. It tells the lender how much of the home's value they're financing.
LTV above 80% usually requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which adds $100-300/month. Lower LTV can mean lower lender risk and different rate context.
Example
Home value: $300,000. Down payment: $60,000. Loan: $240,000. LTV = 80%. You avoid PMI. If you only put $30,000 down (90% LTV), you'd pay PMI until you reach 80%.
Replacing your current mortgage with a new one, usually to get a lower rate, change the loan term, or pull cash out of your home equity.
A 1% rate reduction on a $250,000 mortgage saves ~$150/month ($54,000 over 30 years). But closing costs of 2-5% mean it can be useful to stay long enough to break even.
Example
You have a $300,000 mortgage at 7.5% ($2,098/month). Rates drop to 6%. Refinancing costs $8,000 in closing. New payment: $1,799/month. Monthly savings: $299. Breakeven: 27 months.
Insurance that protects the LENDER (not you) if you default on a mortgage with less than 20% down payment. You pay the premium, but it only covers the lender's loss.
PMI typically costs 0.5-1.5% of the loan per year and adds nothing to your equity. Once you reach 20% equity, you can request it be removed.
Example
On a $250,000 loan with 10% down, PMI at 0.8% = $2,000/year ($167/month). After 5 years, your home's value rises and your equity reaches 20%. You request PMI removal and save $167/month.
A mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible military members, veterans, and surviving spouses. Key benefits: no down payment required and no PMI.
VA loans are among the mortgage options with notable listed benefits — 0% down, no PMI, and rate claims to verify. They're earned through military service and can be used multiple times.
Example
A veteran buys a $350,000 home with a VA loan: $0 down, no PMI, 5.8% rate ($2,054/month). A comparable conventional loan with 5% down would require $17,500 down plus $175/month PMI.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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