Where Homebuyers Find the Best Mortgage Deals

Looking for a mortgage? We have a variety of loan programs for new homebuyers with low rates and no hidden fees.

Where Homebuyers Find The Best Mortgage Deals

Looking for a mortgage? We have a variety of loan programs for homebuyers with low rates and no hidden fees.

What is your why?

When you're trying to buy your first home, it can be helpful to think about the reasons why you're doing it.


If you're looking to create memories, build equity, raise a family, stabilize your housing costs, and be proud of where you live, we're here to help!

Get started on my journey!

Get Pre-Qualified

MIKE

McCARTHY

Senior Loan Officer


Mike is a 2007 graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. After school, he spent two years playing professional hockey in Europe before stepping into the real estate industry full-time. Mike worked as a real estate agent in Greater Boston focusing on condo purchases before becoming a full-time loan officer in 2011. This extensive experience on both sides of a real estate transaction helps him walk you through the purchase process from start to finish. He finds this to be extremely helpful, especially for first-time homebuyers. Mike is happy to help with all of your financings needs, whether it be a 3% down first-time home purchase to a multi-family investment property, and everything in between. At Leader Bank, our wide range of products and best in the industry pricing keeps us a step ahead of the competition.

Schedule 15 min phone call

Schedule a Call to Discuss Loan Programs, Interest Rates, Homebuyer Education, or Discuss Your Current Loan Process

  • Don't just take our word for it

    "We highly enjoyed working with Mike McCarthy at Leader Bank and are grateful for our realtor’s recommendation to do so. Mike went above and beyond at several points throughout the process, including but not limited to: taking a Sunday afternoon call to get pre-approval ready for a Monday offer deadline, calling to vouch for our financial position for a particularly competitive home offer, and putting together a video walkthrough of our loan and interest rate options. Leader Bank also facilitated an aggressive 28-day close deadline. We did have several rounds of back and forth with associates on the Leader Bank team and had some crossed wires on documentation needed; however, everything was able to be processed on time for our close."


    Buyer Closed May '21 Roslindale, MA $685,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Don't just take our word for it

    "Michael Mccarthy was our go to resource for securing a mortgage for the purchase of our new home. He made sure the transaction was seamless in nature, and worked closely alongside the other real estate team members to make sure deliverables were completed in a timely basis."


    Buyer Closed Apr '21 Stoneham, MA $777,500
  • Don't just take our word for it

    "I had a non standard loan and leader bank boiled the ocean to make it work. Solid communication through the process. The team went above and beyond."


    Buyer Closed Dec '20 Boston, MA $948,900 • New Construction • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike and his team at Leader bank were easy to work with. He gave us a very competitive rate, he was responsive to our questions as first time home buyers and he was a joy to work with. We will definitely use Leader Bank to finance our next home purchase."


    Buyer Closed Nov '20 Boston, MA $519,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Despite the lengthy application and necessary documents required, the Leader Bank team of professionals helped us close on time! Very helpful and professional."


    Buyer Closed Nov '20 Roslindale, MA $575,000
  • Slide title

    "I shopped around for lenders and Leader Bank was by far the most thorough when explaining the fees that we were paying at closing. They were extremely responsible and helpful through the process as well!"


    Buyer Closed Aug '20 Quincy, MA $709,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Great interest rates, easy to follow approval process, and easy to communicate with. Highly recommended."


    Buyer Closed Jul '20 Boston, MA $559,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Working with Michael McCarthy, Brittany Nickerson from Leader bank has been a complete pleasure! We are foreign buyers, English is not our first language. Michael and his team helped us to go through all the difficulties. They are very focused and efficient. They listened carefully and spent the time to solve our problems (we did have a lot of problems). The final results exceeded all our expectations. I couldn’t get the loan without Michael’s help. I would highly recommend Michael and Leader bank to a family member or friend."


    Buyer Closed Mar '20 Boston, MA $869,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Working with Mike from Leader bank was great. Process was fast and easy, and Mike and his team were very willing and able to answer all of our questions and concerns."


    Buyer Closed Jan '20 Boston, MA $512,500 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike is a true professional. He is lightening fast and his follow-up is incredible. Mike and his team at Leader Bank did a wonderful job of guiding me through the loan process so that it was painless and hassle free."


    Buyer Closed Nov '19 Quincy, MA $315,000
  • Slide title

    "Micheal was available to answer all my million questions. He was patient and worked with me throughout this fast process. Leader bank and Micheal did a great job and i would recommend them. Thank you Micheal."


    Buyer Closed Sep '19 Quincy, MA $306,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Michael provided me with the best loan possible! He replied to my emails in timely manner and was always ready to provide me with clarifications. Michael exceeded my exepctations."


    Buyer Closed Jun '19 Brookline, MA $1,325,000
  • Slide title

    "Mike was great to work with and was able to help us close on our dream home in less than 30 days. He took calls on the weekend and helped negotiate a great rate, and Leader Bank got us through the whole mortgage process seamlessly in a short amount of time. Thanks!"


    Buyer Closed Jun '19 Boston, MA $1,360,000
  • Slide title

    "Mike's a gem! He was transparent about the process, responsive to our questions, and worked hard to get us a great rate, helping us achieve our goal of homeownership much sooner than we expected. Thanks Mike!"


    Buyer Closed Jun '19 Boston, MA $455,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike is super responsive — he even frequently responded emails and texts to explain details of the loan over the weekends. Mike also tried his best to have things worked out for us. Recommended."


    Buyer Closed Jun '19 Boston, MA $615,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike was great! The leader bank app system made everything really easy. Mike was really good about explaining step-by-step the process of securing lending."


    Buyer Closed Mar '19 Boston, MA $465,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike is exactly what you want in a loan officer. He gives you options, explains each one, then he handles everything from there. He has a team working underneath him that do a great job as well. He got me the best rate I could find (including from my own bank and a top mortgage company). He called me on the regular to update me and even Facetimed me to walk me through how to find a certain document I needed on short notice! He takes one of the most complicated parts of buying a home (the financing) and makes it as easy as possible. You will NOT be disappointed working with Mike's team at Leader Bank!"


    Buyer Closed Jan '19 Boston, MA $757,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "I would recommend Mike from Leader Bank any day! He was the absolute best to work with! Getting files and documents to him was so easy! He was always on top of everything and I never felt like he was difficult to get in touch with. He addressed any questions or concerns my husband and I had and he is very nice!"


    Buyer Closed Mar '17 Brockton, MA $322,500 • 1st Time Buyer

ABOUT 

MIKE McCARTHY

Senior Loan Officer


Mike is a 2007 graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. After school, he spent two years playing professional hockey in Europe before stepping into the real estate industry full-time. Mike worked as a real estate agent in Greater Boston focusing on condo purchases before becoming a full-time loan officer in 2011. This extensive experience on both sides of a real estate transaction helps him walk you through the purchase process from start to finish. He finds this to be extremely helpful, especially for first-time homebuyers. Mike is happy to help with all of your financings needs, whether it be a 3% down first-time home purchase to a multi-family investment property, and everything in between. At Leader Bank, our wide range of products and best in the industry pricing keeps us a step ahead of the competition.

Schedule 15 min phone call

Schedule a Call to Discuss Loan Programs, Interest Rates, Homebuyer Education, or Discuss Your Current Loan Process

  • Don't just take our word for it

    "Michael Mccarthy was our go to resource for securing a mortgage for the purchase of our new home. He made sure the transaction was seamless in nature, and worked closely alongside the other real estate team members to make sure deliverables were completed in a timely basis."


    Buyer Closed Apr '21 Stoneham, MA $777,500
  • Don't just take our word for it

    "I had a non standard loan and leader bank boiled the ocean to make it work. Solid communication through the process. The team went above and beyond."


    Buyer Closed Dec '20 Boston, MA $948,900 • New Construction • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike and his team at Leader bank were easy to work with. He gave us a very competitive rate, he was responsive to our questions as first time home buyers and he was a joy to work with. We will definitely use Leader Bank to finance our next home purchase."


    Buyer Closed Nov '20 Boston, MA $519,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "I shopped around for lenders and Leader Bank was by far the most thorough when explaining the fees that we were paying at closing. They were extremely responsible and helpful through the process as well!"


    Buyer Closed Aug '20 Quincy, MA $709,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Great interest rates, easy to follow approval process, and easy to communicate with. Highly recommended."


    Buyer Closed Jul '20 Boston, MA $559,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Working with Mike from Leader bank was great. Process was fast and easy, and Mike and his team were very willing and able to answer all of our questions and concerns."


    Buyer Closed Jan '20 Boston, MA $512,500 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike is a true professional. He is lightening fast and his follow-up is incredible. Mike and his team at Leader Bank did a wonderful job of guiding me through the loan process so that it was painless and hassle free."


    Buyer Closed Nov '19 Quincy, MA $315,000
  • Slide title

    "Micheal was available to answer all my million questions. He was patient and worked with me throughout this fast process. Leader bank and Micheal did a great job and i would recommend them. Thank you Micheal."


    Buyer Closed Sep '19 Quincy, MA $306,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Michael provided me with the best loan possible! He replied to my emails in timely manner and was always ready to provide me with clarifications. Michael exceeded my exepctations."


    Buyer Closed Jun '19 Brookline, MA $1,325,000
  • Slide title

    "Mike was great to work with and was able to help us close on our dream home in less than 30 days. He took calls on the weekend and helped negotiate a great rate, and Leader Bank got us through the whole mortgage process seamlessly in a short amount of time. Thanks!"


    Buyer Closed Jun '19 Boston, MA $1,360,000
  • Slide title

    "Mike's a gem! He was transparent about the process, responsive to our questions, and worked hard to get us a great rate, helping us achieve our goal of homeownership much sooner than we expected. Thanks Mike!"


    Buyer Closed Jun '19 Boston, MA $455,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike is super responsive — he even frequently responded emails and texts to explain details of the loan over the weekends. Mike also tried his best to have things worked out for us. Recommended."


    Buyer Closed Jun '19 Boston, MA $615,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "Mike was great! The leader bank app system made everything really easy. Mike was really good about explaining step-by-step the process of securing lending."


    Buyer Closed Mar '19 Boston, MA $465,000 • 1st Time Buyer
  • Slide title

    "I would recommend Mike from Leader Bank any day! He was the absolute best to work with! Getting files and documents to him was so easy! He was always on top of everything and I never felt like he was difficult to get in touch with. He addressed any questions or concerns my husband and I had and he is very nice!"


    Buyer Closed Mar '17 Brockton, MA $322,500 • 1st Time Buyer

FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.
  • What loan programs does Leader Bank offer?

     We have a wide range of loan programs including; 1st time home buyer loans, FHA, VA loans, jumbo mortgages, conventional financing, investor financing, etc

  • Do I need 20% Down Payment?

    No.  We have a range of loan programs, depending on your scenario you may be able to bring 0% down. 

  • How long does my pre-approval last?

    60 days but can be renewed for another 60 without an additional credit inquiry

  • How much can I qualify for?

    Your housing payment along with your other monthly debts cannot exceed 45% of your gross monthly income.  This is a general rule of thumb.  There are various programs with more/less stringent requirements.

  • What is the minimum credit score?

    Leader Bank has a 640 minimum credit score requirement.  There are additional credit score requirements for specific loan programs.  640 is Leader Bank only, other lenders may have different requirements.

  • How much are the closing costs?

    The Leader Bank costs are $1,948-$2,448 depending on the loan program.  There are additional costs not associated with the bank as well.  Homebuyers should assume all closing costs to equal about 1.5%-2% of the purchase price.

Fresh from the blog

By Michael McCarthy 19 Jan, 2022
If you ever want to tap into the equity in your home to pay off other life expenses, consider doing a cash out refinance. If done properly, you can reduce your monthly debt and/or improve the value of your home.
By Michael McCarthy 19 Jan, 2022
The new conforming loan limits were just adjusted for 2022. Here’s what you need to know.
By Michael McCarthy 15 Nov, 2021
Refinancing your mortgage has numerous benefits! Not only can you save money, you can reduce the number of years you borrow money for, and use the equity in your home as cash to pay for various life expenses.
By Michael McCarthy 21 Oct, 2021
There are numerous mortgage options available on the market today. Which one is right for you? We’ll review the most common mortgage options in greater detail below.
By Michael McCarthy 21 Oct, 2021
Buying a house can be stressful. When choosing a home, sometimes your wishlist doesn't align with your budget. How can you qualify for a greater mortgage? Let's dive into that question!
By Michael McCarthy 19 Oct, 2021
Understanding what mortgage insurance is, and what options you have regarding this insurance, can save you headaches and money down the road! Let’s unpack this insurance in greater detail below.

Where First-Time Homebuyers Find the Best Mortgage Deals

Get Pre Qualified
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