Your   homeownership journey starts here

The mortgage process simplified.
Fast approvals, local experts, trusted results.

Michael E. Fornero smiling, professional headshot for financial services.
Professional headshot of Michael E. Fornero, emphasizing trust and expertise in financial solutions.
Beautiful modern craftsman house with landscaped front yard and double garage.
A stunning modern craftsman-style house featuring a landscaped front yard, large windows, and a spacious double garage.

NMLS: #231714

Michael E. Fornero

Mortgage Advisor

Michael has been a loan originator since 1994 and has a background in Financial Planning since 1985. He believes in taking an innovative approach when working with a client and their financing needs. Mortgage financing is more than just rates and data gathering. Meeting the client’s objectives is the philosophy that has worked for Michael for more than 26 years.

Michael has been fortunate to build many great relationships and friendships with his clientele and he holds those sacred as it’s the biggest reason he has always enjoyed his work.
He is a father of three wonderful sons, whom he is very proud of.

Licensed in:

IL

Why work with me?

4.9/5 Rating

62 reviews

Real clients. Real results.

From the very start Mike was very helpful and definitely knowledgeable, made the homebuying experience simple. Definitely recommend Mike and Swenia, no headaches and we are in our home! Thank you guys!

Jerry G

5/5 please go to Mike, his team made the process simple from start to finish!

Phil M

Mike And Swenia were super helpful in navigating a challenging situation. Thanks Again!

Kyle H

Mike and his team have worked with my parents for quite some time and I was happy to do business with him. Very transparent throughout whole process and answered any/all questions along the way. His loan processing team helped make for an efficient close process!

Michael A

Mike and Swenia made the loan process easy. They both were very knowledgeable and professional.

Mark G

Best place possible to get a mortgage. The attention to detail and the time and effort they put is very appreciated and recognized. Every time I had a question I had an answer within minutes. I cannot express how easy they made the process.

Vince V

Mike was extremely helpful and accommodating during my lengthy home-buying process! He listened to my needs, answered my questions and got me exactly what I needed when it came to my loan.

Jordan F

Mike was extremely helpful and accommodating during my lengthy home-buying process! He listened to my needs, answered my questions and got me exactly what I needed when it came to my loan.

Jordan F

Mike was awesome. He kept me informed throughout the process, was prompt returning my calls and kept everything on track to insure a smooth approval.

Derrick E

I had an excellent experience with Mike Fornero and the Preferred Rate team. They were extremely helpful every step of the way and I can not say one bad thing about them. Mike was very personable, and knowledgeable about any options that were available to me for my mortgage. Thank you so much !

Addison C

Great! Very organized and efficient closing

Vered W

Mike was attentive to our mortgage application and made sure we met all the necessary timelines. We would definitely use him in the future and recommend him to others.

Barbara L

Mike was professional and courteous throughout the process. Everything was smooth and seamless. Enjoy working with Mike that's why I keep coming back to him for his amazing service. Highly recommend!

Daniel V

Great service. Very responsive and got everything done in time for a 21 day close. GREAT WORK

David G

Mike is very professional, walked me thru a whole process step by step. I would highly recommend Mike to everyone !!!!!!

Vilma J

Mike was great to work with. Was transparent and responsive with everything.

Justin B

Mike was very professional and efficient, making the process of refinancing extremely easy!

Daniel L

Mike is wonderful to work with. He is responsive in returning phone calls and made the process of buying a new home so much easier. Would definitely recommend him to others.

Elizabeth M

Seamless purchase and recent refinance, Mike and his team are very knowledgeable and professional looking out for their customers best interest. Thank you Mike and Swenia

Jerry G

Very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with!

terri s

Loan Programs

Spacious living room with comfortable seating, large windows, and stylish decor.
A bright, inviting living room featuring a blue sofa, wooden chairs, and a fireplace with logs, perfect for relaxing or entertaining.
DSCR Loans (Investment Loans)

Featured

Beautiful modern craftsman-style house with a landscaped front yard and garage.
A stunning craftsman-style home featuring a welcoming porch, modern design, and the 1% Home Loan Program.
1% Home Loan Program

Featured

Man using smartphone at home, exploring conventional loan options.
Man reviewing mortgage options on his phone in a cozy living room setting.
Conventional Loans

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Comfortable living room featuring a fireplace, wall-mounted TV, and stylish decor for a welcoming ho.
A welcoming living room with a fireplace, wall-mounted TV, and elegant decor, ideal for relaxing and entertaining in a cozy home setting.
Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

Featured

Refinance Loan
Child on Veteran's shoulders with American flag, symbolizing VA loan benefits.
Supporting veterans and families with VA home loan options and resources.
VA Loans
USDA loan approval process for rural home financing.
A couple stands outside a new house, symbolizing rural homeownership with USDA loans.
USDA Loans
FHA loan approval process with Preferred Rate for homebuyers.
Happy couple discussing FHA loan options at home.
FHA Loans
Beautiful blue house with landscaped yard, ideal for low down payment mortgage options.
Charming blue home surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for those seeking low down payment loan solutions.
Low Down Payment Loans
Beautiful house exterior with porch, windows, and landscaped yard.
A charming two-story house featuring a spacious front porch, large windows, and a well-maintained lawn, ideal for HELOC loan considerations.
HELOC Loans
Happy couple working on home renovation inside a room with construction tools.
A smiling couple during a home renovation project, standing on stairs with construction supplies around them.
Home Renovation
Luxury home with a spacious driveway and well-maintained landscaping for jumbo loan financing.
Explore jumbo loan options for financing high-value homes like this beautiful property.
Jumbo Loans
Man using a laptop on a bean bag chair, promoting flexible bank statement loans.
Comfortable man working on a laptop at home, highlighting flexible bank statement loan options for homebuyers.
Bank Statement Loans
Construction financing solutions for building your dream home or project. Expert guidance for seamle.
Two workers in safety helmets working on a construction site, focusing on woodwork and project progress.
Construction Financing
Beautiful manufactured home with a welcoming porch and landscaped yard.
A charming manufactured home featuring a spacious porch and lush landscaping, ideal for comfortable living.
Manufactured Home Loans
Colorful Victorian-style condominiums with detailed architecture and lush greenery.
Beautiful Victorian-style condominiums with intricate details and vibrant colors, perfect for condominium loan options.
Condominium Loans
Healthcare professional loan options for doctors and medical staff. Secure funding to grow your medi.
Image of a smiling doctor holding a clipboard in a medical office setting. Perfect for promoting medical professional loan services.
Medical Professional Loans
Nurse smiling with tablet, promoting first responder loan programs.
A nurse smiling while holding a tablet, highlighting loan options for first responders, teachers, and nurses.
First Responders | Nurses | Teacher Loans
Affordable community lending options for homebuyers.
Aerial view of a new residential property in a friendly neighborhood.
Community Lending
Buydown mortgage rates with temporary payment reductions.
Learn how temporary buydowns can lower your mortgage payments during the initial years of homeownership.
Temporary Buydowns
Modern two-story house with garage, ideal for bridge loan financing.
A contemporary two-story home with a spacious garage, perfect for real estate bridge loans and investment opportunities.
Bridge Loans
Expanded Income Loans for Home Improvements.
Modern house with landscaped yard and garden.
Expanded Income Loans
Loan options for international clients seeking financial solutions.
A smiling woman using a tablet near a window, representing accessible loan services for foreign nationals.
Loans for Foreign Nationals
Home loan options for quick approval and competitive rates.
Simplify your home buying process with Preferred Rate's SmartBuy program.
Click n’ Close SmartBuy National DPA
Expanded Credit Loans living room with modern furniture and cozy decor.
Comfortable living room featuring yellow armchairs, a fireplace, and a flat-screen TV, ideal for home improvement financing options.
Expanded Credit Loans
Senior couple exploring reverse mortgage options on laptop.
Elderly couple discussing reverse mortgage benefits using a laptop at home.
Reverse Mortgages
Seller PreLock Program for homeowners to secure home sale options.
A woman reviews her home sale options on a tablet in a bright, modern kitchen, highlighting the Seller PreLock Program benefits.
Seller PreLock Program
Preferred Rate Pathway DPA Program interior design.
Spacious living room with contemporary furniture and a sleek kitchen setup.
Pathway DPA Program
Rhyze HELOC
Secure lock program for home safety and security.
Beautiful blue house featuring a secure lock program for enhanced home safety.
Secure Lock Program

Refinance With Purpose

Every refinance starts with a goal. Whether you want to lower your payment, shorten your term, or access equity, we’ll build a strategy around
what matters most to you.

Consolidate Debt

Simplify what you owe. Use your home’s equity to combine high-interest debt into one  payment.

Lower Payments

Improve monthly cash flow. Even a small rate adjustment can create  savings over time.

Get Cash Out

Access equity with intention. Turn your home’s value into funds for renovations, education, retirement, or financial goals.

Change to Fixed Rate

Stabilize your payment. Move from a variable rate to predictable payments built for long-term planning.

Refinance VA Loan

Use a VA refinance program to improve your terms, access cash, or reduce your monthly payment.

Discover your home’s value instantly.

Get a personalized home value report powered by real market data. Track equity, explore trends, and stay informed about your property and mortgage loan.

Home loan approval process with competitive rates at Preferred Rate. Secure your mortgage today with.
Beautiful suburban house at sunset, showcasing a cozy home with a well-maintained lawn and welcoming entrance.
Preferred Rate logo with financial graph and rate drop notification.
A logo for Preferred Rate featuring a financial graph and a notification about interest rate drops.

We'll watch the market for you

Set your target interest rate and we’ll notify you when it hits. No spam, just smart alerts.

Mortgage Loan Calculator

Estimate your monthly payment in seconds.

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Information and interactive calculators are made available to you as self-help tools for your independent use and are not intended to provide investment advice. We cannot and do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regard to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes.

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