About Rick Elmendorf
I'm Rick Elmendorf, a nationally recognized VA loan expert with a lifelong connection to the military community. I was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1969 while my father was serving as an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War. From the very beginning, the military has been a central part of my life and my purpose. A little bit about me: I began my career in the mortgage business at just 22 years old, working out of a small garage for a brokerage in Catonsville, Maryland. This was long before today's automated systems and instant approvals, which forced me to truly learn mortgage banking from the ground up. That early experience gave me a deep understanding of how loans really work, and from the start, I was fanatically driven to become one of the best loan officers in the country, with a specific focus on VA home loans. My commitment to serving military families runs deep. After leaving the Air Force, my father became a highly successful financial planner with USPA & IRA, now known as First Command Financial Planning, where his mission was always to help military families build financial security. I eventually joined him in serving that same community, working closely with military clients and real estate agents on the financing side. It didn't take long for me to realize how much I loved working with veterans and active-duty families. I've built my business around the core values I learned from the military: honor, service, duty, excellence, and teamwork. Those values guide every decision my team and I make and shape the experience we deliver to our clients. Today, my team and I provide a top-tier mortgage experience designed to truly serve those who serve. From 5-minute approvals and my proprietary Excel Purchase Worksheet to my proven "Offer Accepted" strategy, everything we do is built to help military buyers win in competitive markets. I'm incredibly grateful that my team and I have consistently ranked in the top 1% of loan officers nationwide since 2003 and ranked #12 in VA loan production in 2024. I'm also the author of The Loan Officer Revolution and 3% Lower, where I share strategies to help borrowers better understand and leverage mortgage financing, especially VA loans. On my YouTube channel [http://www.youtube.com/rickelmendorf,](http://www.youtube.com/rickelmendorf,) I've built a library of videos on real estate, homebuying, and maximizing VA home loan benefits. If you're a veteran or active-duty service member looking to use your VA loan benefits, whether you're relocating for a PCS or buying your next home, I'm committed to delivering the best mortgage experience possible, with competitive rates and unmatched VA expertise. Rick Elmendorf and **The Elmendorf Team** are here to help, answer questions, and guide you every step of the way. **The Elmendorf Team** Rick Elmendorf (NMLS# 485091) Jake Elmendorf (NMLS# 2092422) Steven Johel (NMLS# 2151848) David Kontsevenko (NMLS# 1968174) Abtin Vaziri (NMLS# 1679493)
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Bank Statement loans
Self-employed? Our Bank Statement Loan program allows self-employed borrowers to seek a home loan without tax returns, W2s or pay stubs.
Foreign National loans
Not a US Citizen? Foreign National loans are available without a social security number, green card, or visa and do not require a FICO score.
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**Rate's Same Day Mortgage promotion offers qualified customers who provide certain required financial information/documentation to Rate within 24 hours of locking a rate on a mortgage loan the opportunity to receive a loan approval within 1 business day of timely submission of documentation and does not suggest that the borrower will receive funding on the same day as their application submission. For purposes of this offer, documents provided after 1 pm local time or on a weekend or company holiday will be deemed submitted the next business day. Rate cannot guarantee that a loan will be approved or that a closing will occur within a specific timeframe. Rate reserves the right to revoke this approval at any time if there is a change in your financial condition or credit history which would impair your ability to repay this obligation. Read and understand your Loan Commitment before waiving any mortgage contingencies. Borrower documentation and Intent to Proceed must be signed within 24 business hours of receipt. Not eligible for all loan types or residence types. Minimum down payment requirements apply. Not all borrowers will be approved. Borrower's interest rate will depend upon the specific characteristics of borrower's loan transaction, credit profile and other criteria. Not available in all states. Restrictions apply. Visit rate.com/same-day-mortgage for terms and conditions.
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