Your   homeownership journey starts here

We worked with Rick when purchasing our first home, to say he was so helpful is an understatement! Rick was amazing! He guided us through the whole process and helped solve any problems that came up so quickly! We will be recommending Rick to anyone looking to purchase a home!

Rick Contino is the best. If you want someone professional and caring go see Rick at Preferred Mortgage. I used them several times. Thank you

Rick Contino is the best in the business. He will take good care of you. Friendly, knowledgeable and trustworthy. If you need a financial lender go to Preferred Rate to see Rick Contino. You want go wrong. Thank you Rick

I had a very pleasant experience acquiring my first home. Rick was very polite and thorough when explaining to me the process and guided me through it. I would definitely recommend him to my friends and family members. Thank you, Rick. I will always be grateful for all the help provided to me. My wife and kids are very grateful too. May God bless you !!!

"What can I say about Rick Contino? Simply put — if he’s in your corner, you’re in very good hands! When I applied for my first home mortgage (a 2-unit property!), I was nervous — but Rick made the entire process smooth and stress-free. He worked hard, explained every step, and with his grant program and my Realtor’s negotiation skills, I was able to purchase my home with just 1% down! Now I’m living in one unit, renting the other, and most of my mortgage is covered. Rick was there every step of the way — knowledgeable, responsive, and truly committed. Highly recommend!"

Working with American Pacific Mortgage (doing business as Preferred Rate) out of Libertyville, IL — specifically with Rick Contino — was an outstanding experience. With over 35 years in the industry, Rick brought a level of knowledge, professionalism, and calm that truly made a difference in my homebuying process. Despite some challenges along the way, Rick handled everything smoothly and efficiently. He took the time to explain every detail, was always quick to respond, and worked tirelessly to get my deal through the Fannie Mae process. His experience clearly shows, and his ability to navigate complex situations is impressive. His entire team was also excellent — always keeping me updated and ensuring no detail was overlooked. Frankly, if anyone has something negative to say about Rick, I’d imagine there’s more to the story. From my experience, he’s the person you want in your corner — especially when the deal gets complicated. I highly recommend Rick Contino to anyone looking to get the job done — no matter the challenges. He’ll be there every step of the way. Thank you again, Rick! Michael C. Lake County, Illinois

I want to thank Rick for helping me get a loan purchasing a home. His knowledge and expertise was invaluable as I was utilizing the VA to secure a loan and the process of dealing with government paperwork can be quite daunting. I will be recommending his services to my family and friends. Especially fellow veterans.

Rick was very helpful throughout my mortgage process. He was always available to answer any questions I had, explained things precisely, and very friendly. I highly recommend Rick!

Rick and the crew were awesome. If anyone is looking for a home, make sure you go see Rick.

Rick was very knowledgeable in his field