Homestead

Pros

• Kristen Brooke is amazing; she is attentive, organized, fast, and gets the job done.
• Kristen Brooke is extremely professional, transparent, and helpful in answering questions or generating quotes to compare different scenarios.
• Kristen and the Homestead team were phenomenal; they were responsive when needed, proactive, and explained things in detail throughout the process.
• Kristen was fantastic; she is detail-oriented, knowledgeable, organized, friendly, and responsive, with an upbeat, positive demeanor.
• Flo and Denise were an absolute pleasure to work with; they made the mortgage process smooth and easy, kept clients updated, and showed they truly care about their clients.
• Steve Field from Homestead kept first-time buyers updated and made the process easy through guidance.
• Stacey has been incredible; she explains every detail, responds quickly, and is dedicated to helping buyers.
• Homestead Funding Corp is praised for being customer-focused and not pushy, helping clients find the best fit.

Cons

• Mike Freeman is terrible to work with; he never replies to emails on time.
• The loan person Phil lied about the interest rate in 2019, promising 3.99% but the customers ended up paying 4.5%.
• The company ripped customers off and told them to refinance after the fact; the company is all about themselves, not the customer.
• A senior loan officer left the client hanging on a time-sensitive deal, which was disappointing.
• The reviewer advised others to choose another lender if possible.

Review

The reviews about Homestead Funding Corp. reveal a wide range of experiences, but they cluster around two clear themes: outstanding, highly personalized service from Kristen Brooke and her team, and a few troubling incidents tied to other staff members. Taken together, the narrative that emerges is one of a company whose strongest advocates point to Kristen and her colleagues as dedicated professionals who make the mortgage process smoother, clearer, and more approachable, while a minority of customers report frustration with responsiveness and honesty when dealing with other loan officers.

A large thread running through the messages is Kristen Brooke's exceptional effectiveness as a loan originator. Countless reviewers describe her as amazing, attentive, organized, knowledgeable, and responsive. She is repeatedly credited with answering questions promptly, explaining every step of the process, generating helpful quotes for comparing scenarios, and guiding buyers with patience and care. Several homeowners speak of Kristen's "bubbly" personality and reassuring presence, noting that her straightforward explanations helped them understand costs and choices without feeling overwhelmed. She is praised not only for getting things done but for doing so in a way that makes clients feel supported and confident about their decisions.

The consistency of Kristen's impact is echoed by mentions of the broader Homestead team. Reviewers who worked with Flo and Denise describe them as an "absolute pleasure" to collaborate with, delivering a smooth mortgage process and keeping clients updated at every stage. Second-time homebuyers in particular appreciate the continuity and warmth they experienced with Flo and Denise, contrasting the experience with their prior mortgage experience. The sentiment is that the team's coordinated effort - clear communication, proactive updates, and genuine care for clients - transforms what is often a stressful process into something manageable and almost enjoyable.

Several reviews extend this positive tone beyond individual interactions to the overall service philosophy of Homestead Funding Corp. One reviewer emphasizes that while the loan itself is serviced by another bank after closing, Homestead remains a reliable point of contact for questions about servicing, promising hastier, more comprehensive responses than one might expect. This sense of ongoing support - clarifying questions long after the closing date and standing by clients through subsequent financial decisions - appears to be a valued aspect of the Homestead experience for many buyers.

In addition to Kristen's and the team's praised performance, the reviews include strong endorsements from other satisfied customers. Some buyers highlight Steve Field as a helpful guide for first-time purchasers, noting his ability to keep them informed and make the process simpler. Stacey is singled out for exceptional responsiveness, with praise for her dedication to explaining every detail and her willingness to respond quickly to questions. Taken together, these testimonials reinforce a common theme: when a client connects with the right person at Homestead, the process not only goes smoothly but also feels personal and supportive.

Of course, not every experience was flawless. A minority of reviews cite problems that seem to stem from individual staff members rather than the company as a whole. One reviewer bluntly states that Mike Freeman was terrible to work with, citing delayed email responses and advising others to choose a different lender if possible. Another account accuses a loan officer (Phil) from 2019 of lying about the interest rate - claiming a quoted 3.99% that ended up being 4.5% - and suggests a pattern of pressuring clients to refinance after the fact. There is also a cautionary note about being left hanging by a senior loan officer on a time-sensitive deal, which underscores the reality that experiences can vary significantly depending on who handles the loan.

Taken together, these reviews paint a nuanced portrait of Homestead Funding Corp. They celebrate Kristen Brooke and her colleagues as professional, knowledgeable, and deeply customer-focused, capable of turning a complicated process into an accessible, well-explained journey. They also remind potential clients that the mortgage experience can hinge on the people you work with, with a few negative anecdotes about responsiveness and trust that should be weighed when evaluating lenders. For anyone considering Homestead, the strongest guidance that emerges is to seek out Kristen Brooke (and, if possible, the same supportive teammates like Flo, Denise, Steve Field, and Stacey) to maximize the chances of a smooth, transparent, and reassuring home-financing experience.

This part of Albany, New York, offers a convenient location with various amenities nearby that cater to senior living needs. With several hospitals and medical centers within a short distance, residents have access to top-notch healthcare facilities. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes for dining out or grabbing a cup of coffee with friends. Parks like Jennings Landing and Washington Park provide green spaces for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Additionally, there are pharmacies and transportation options available for easy access to necessities and getting around the area. Places of worship and theaters offer opportunities for spiritual fulfillment and entertainment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to live comfortably in Albany.

Hospitals

• Albany Memorial Hospital (0.5 miles)
• The Pain Management Center At Albany Memorial Hospital (0.5 miles)
• Whitney M Young Jr Health Center (0.8 miles)
• The Eddy (2 miles)
• Stratton VA Medical Center (2.2 miles)
• Albany Medical Center Hemophilia And Von Willebrand S Disease Tr (2.2 miles)
• Albany Medical Center Pediatrics Developmental/Behavioral (2.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Lost & Found (0.7 miles)
• Nine Pin Cider (0.7 miles)
• Wolff's Biergarten (0.8 miles)
• Iron Gate Cafe (1.6 miles)
• The City Beer Hall (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.8 miles)
• Hill Street Cafe (1.9 miles)

Parks

• Jennings Landing (1.6 miles)
• Washington Park (2.1 miles)
• The Crossings of Colonie (4.2 miles)
• Miracle Playground (4.2 miles)
• Collins Circle (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• Stacks Espresso Bar (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)

Physicians

• LasikPlus Vision Center (1.6 miles)
• Albany New York LASIK & PRK Laser Eye Surgery - LasikPlus (1.6 miles)
• Capital Cardiology Associates (1.8 miles)
• Mohawk Amulance Central Ave - O2 Fill Station (2.1 miles)
• Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (2.1 miles)
• Albany Family Medicine (2.1 miles)
• OrthoNY (2.2 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (2.1 miles)
• CDTA Bus Stop (2.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• College Parkside Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Rite Aid (3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hindu Temple Society (2.7 miles)
• New Covenant Presbyterian Church (3.6 miles)
• Grace Fellowship (4.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Colonie Center & RPX (4.7 miles)