Family-owned mortgage brokerage founded in 2013, operating from Las Vegas with access to multiple lenders and specialized loan programs across five states.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
Merit Lending is a family-owned mortgage brokerage established in 2013 and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded by Kelly Graham, who brings 25+ years of industry experience in southern Nevada, the company operates as a brokerage model rather than a direct lender. This positioning allows them to partner with multiple lending sources to serve borrowers across Nevada, California, Utah, Texas, and Florida, with the ability to serve clients in all 50 states plus DC according to their website map.
The company offers mortgage services including home purchase loans, refinancing, and access to specialized loan programs not typically available through traditional banks. They provide online application capabilities, rate quotes, and loan consultations through their team. Merit Lending emphasizes educational resources, maintaining a learning center with 27 articles covering home-buying topics and mortgage fundamentals. Their services include mortgage calculators (with appropriate disclaimers about accuracy limitations) and personalized loan consulting through named account managers.
Merit Lending differentiates itself through several specific claims: family ownership, longevity (founded 2013), access to non-bank loan programs, competitive rate positioning, and individualized service. Google reviews (139 reviews, 5.0 rating) highlight specific loan officers by name (Martha, James, Camille, Vill, Cody, Sam, Liz), suggesting a personalized service model. The company explicitly positions itself on superior rates combined with customer service, targeting borrowers who may have been declined elsewhere or need specialized loan programs.
The honest assessment: Merit Lending is a legitimate mortgage brokerage with verifiable online presence, positive customer reviews, and transparent disclaimers about loan qualification and rate variability. However, they are a mortgage brokerage, not a direct lender, meaning rates and terms depend on partnered lenders. Their service area (though claiming nationwide) is primarily concentrated in five states. No specific information about loan limits, minimum credit scores, or unique underwriting criteria is provided on their public website.
Yes. Merit Lending is a registered company, headquartered in Las Vegas, NV.
Results vary by individual situation. Contact the provider to discuss expected timelines for your specific needs.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Merit Lending is best suited for borrowers in its primary service states (NV, CA, UT, TX, FL) who value personalized service and may need loan programs outside traditional bank offerings. The main caveat is that as a brokerage, actual rates and terms are subject to partnered lender approval and pricing—the rates advertised depend entirely on which lender ultimately funds the loan, and no rate guarantees are published.
Austin-based mortgage lender specializing in residential, investment, and custom construction loans with 20+ years of experience and nationwide availability.
Best for: Austin-area home buyers and refinancers seeking personalized service from an experienced local lender, Investment property buyers and rental owners needing specialized commercial/investment mortgage expertise
Las Vegas Finance offers low-interest installment loans from $200–$5,000 to Clark County residents, positioning itself as a payday loan alternative regulated by Nevada.
Best for: Clark County residents with steady income seeking alternatives to payday loans, Borrowers with fair or poor credit unable to qualify for traditional personal loans
USA Cash Services offers payday loans, installment loans, and title loans with next-business-day funding across five western states and select Midwest locations.
Best for: Consumers with immediate cash needs before payday in California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, or Wyoming, Individuals with access to physical store locations who prefer in-person application and verification
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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 must 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 cheapest 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: you must 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 = lower risk for lender = better rate for you.
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 you need 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 guaranteed 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 best mortgage deals available — 0% down, no PMI, and competitive rates. 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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