Karen Orlando, Sr. Loan Officer
Milestone Mortgage
“I would highly recommend these commercial loan origination courses and coaching programs for anyone considering venturing into the commercial side of the business or for anyone who just places a few commercial loans a year. The information I obtained from going through Craig Higdon’s course and reading his book has proven to be invaluable.

After being in the residential loan market for 9 years this program has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for me, not just to expand my business and obtain new clients, but also to learn another side of the business and reap new financial rewards. Thank you Craig for all of your coaching and insight and putting me on the road to success in the commercial world! Regards, K.O.”

Sharon Kelly, President
Escrow L.A., Inc.
“Over the many years I have worked with Craig Higdon, his clients have always been extremely satisfied with his integrity, expertise and professionalism. Craig always puts his client’s best interests first, he is forthright and very pro-active. As an escrow professional, I have personally always enjoyed working with Craig. I know that I am going to have an easy transaction, that required documentation is completed correctly, and that unexpected issues will be treated with a level head. I wish all of my commercial lenders were like him … I would have far fewer headaches!”

Steve Eckhoff, Vice President
First Financial
“What can I say that wouldn’t sound over the top? I’ve known Craig from the early days of our mortgage origination careers. I stayed in residential and he always did the hard stuff: Commercial and construction loans. Whenever I had a commercial loan, rather than beat my head against the phone calling lenders, I simply gave him the deal! He always worked them hard, kept me informed, and treated my clients extremely well. Over the years he taught me more and more about the commercial and construction side of the business and I’m to the point where I can confidently do these on my own if I choose to. Thanks Craig, for all of your help and time. You have made a real difference in my lending practice.”

Antonio Johnson, Senior Loan Officer
Commercial Loan Capital
“I met Craig while I was working at another firm that supposedly did “commercial” loans.  In a few minutes of conversation with him I realized that he knew more … a LOT more … than the guy I was working for.  In short order I started working with Craig.  He taught me commercial lending from A to Z in simple terms that were easy to understand and apply.  After 15 years in residential lending, I suddenly had a whole new world of clients that I could reach.  And just in time, too!  Now I do a good balance of residential and commercial loans, stabilizing my business and getting me more potential revenue, thanks to Craig.”

Tim Winton, Vice President
Capmark Funding, Irvine, CA.
“I have worked with Craig on over $100,000,000 in commercial real estate financing over the years on a wide variety of commercial and multifamily projects. Our firm works with larger developers on complex transactions and it is a pleasure to work with a finance professional like Craig. As a lender, one of the key elements in a successful transaction is the experience that financial advisors bring to the table when working on large commercial transactions. Craig has the experience to make even very complex financing transactions easy to understand and close. I wish that more of the people with whom we worked were as able as Craig, it would make my life a whole lot easier.”

Mike Brewer, Partner
Griffin Capital Funding
“Craig is one of our most knowledgeable correspondents and we look to him for help on our construction loan scenarios from time to time. We are excited about his commercial loan coaching program because if we can get a number of our residentially-oriented brokers on the program it will greatly improve the quality of loans submitted to our firm.”

Dave Wakefield, President
Davcon Investments, Inc. - Commercial Developer.
“We started working with Craig in 2003 when we had a very difficult land acquisition to complete on a tight schedule. The property was in receivership, had significant Mellos Roos fees due, had a large amount of back taxes due, and multiple beneficiaries to pay off at a discount to their original principal balances. It was a very valuable piece of land and we were up against a deadline in order to complete the purchase.

Craig was able to find us a lender that allowed us to make all of those payoffs and buy the property from the receiver within the timeframe. That single project is now worth over $50 Million and growing as we complete its development. Since that time, we’ve used Craig on a number of projects and have funded well in excess of $100 Million in loans with his company. We continue to use him and he always delivers as promised. I can’t recommend him and Excelsion Mortgage enough.”

Steve Atwater, Former Super Bowl Champion and Pro Bowl Safety with the Denver Broncos; Duluth, Georgia
“Craig Higdon did a FANTASTIC job of streamlining the entire commercial lending process for us. He helped us to close a very important, complex purchase loan transaction involving a court-appointed Receiver as the “owner,” multiple-beneficiaries, discounted payoffs, delinquent real estate taxes, and got it done in a very short court-mandated time frame. He was with us from the start and continued through successive rounds of development financing. Craig was extremely professional, courteous, and respectful of our time. Thanks a TON!!”

Tom Levitt, President
Levitt Enterprises, Inc. – Real Estate Developer
“Craig came to me on a recommendation from one of my lenders on a very specific financing need that I had that the lender could not fulfill. After a brief meeting, it turned out that Craig was able to assist me where others could not. He was professional, straightforward, and very pleasant to deal with. He was also there for me with advice months after the closing, even when it did not mean any immediate business. I am very happy with his service and his recommendations and look forward to a long relationship with him.”

Karen Williamson, Sr. Vice President
Union Bank of California
“He ought to be good, I taught him everything he knows!  Well, almost everything. Craig and I go a long way back to when he first started in commercial lending.  I have underwritten a number of his deals and watched him grow into one of the best commercial lenders around.  In fact, I don’t take any calls from outside commercial finance advisors … except his.  If you want help from someone who knows the business and can tell you what will or won’t work, then Craig is your man.”

Kelvin Davis, Vice President
Community Bank
“For a number of years I worked with Lehman Brothers commercial finance as one of their top wholesale producers of owner-user SBA financing. During that time I worked with Craig Higdon on a number of transactions and ultimately became his friend. It was always a pleasure to work on one of Craig’s loans because I was rarely, if ever, “surprised.” From my experience he took good care of his lenders by taking good care of his clients. He was pragmatic and thorough, grasping key concepts and being very good at seeing to the heart of a deal. I always look forward to seeing his loans because they are usually my better ones.”

Chip Cummings, President
Northwind Financial – Mortgage Broker Trainer
“Craig was a student of mine who really took to the information we offered on automated marketing. His ideas on applying it to the commercial lending market are nothing short of fantastic. We have featured him on the Mortgage Power Network on the topic of commercial lending and the response was great. We look forward to having him work with our members on increasing their skills in commercial loan origination and brokerage. We recommend him and his commercial lending programs wholeheartedly!”

Monique Vendetti, California Real Estate Broker
“I have known and worked with Craig for a number of years in the mortgage business. He has always been very helpful in guiding me in the right direction when it came to my commercial real estate finance and sales transactions. His insights have saved me tons of time and much aggravation. I’m really happy that he has been there with a helping hand when I’ve needed it. I look forward to working together again, and appreciate the opportunity. Thanks, Craig and keep up the good work!”

Dave Hershman, President
OriginationPro – Mortgage Trainer
“Craig’s experience and expertise in commercial financing makes his publication and coaching essential for anyone who wants to succeed in this industry segment. You will find a wealth of knowledge in both and if you are looking to expand your commercial mortgage business or become a commercial originator for the first time, this is the place to start.”