James W. Argo

Senior Loan Officer - San Francisco - Montgomery St. Guarantee Mortgage NMLS #257031 / 1850 - CA BRE #00869591 / 01215943
I have been providing personalized mortgage advice since 1984 and I am passionate about my work. I love what I do. I am an advocate for clients, not for banks.

Early in my career, I observed and realized that my clients needed financial advice on more than just their mortgage - advice that included the best ways to save for retirement, save for college, pay off debt, build a rainy day fund and properly invest for future needs. Today I uniquely advise each client holistically on how to handle their money and their mortgage, so they can achieve financial security faster.

Other things I am passionate about are my family, making wine, cooking amazing food at home, canoeing the rivers & lakes of Northern California and blowing the room away on my tenor sax.

Equal Housing Opportunity
NMLS #257031 / 1850
CA BRE #00869591 / 01215943
3 days ago
Enterprise Account Executive
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We can't say enough about James Argo and the work he did to help us refinance our home. Our situation was a bit unconventional but Jim navigated the waters and got us a great final result. He is professional, knowledgeable and truly understands that this is not just about numbers and money - he gets the human side of the equation. Jim will be our go to guy from now on. We highly recommend him!
May 15, 2019
CEO of The Simplified Life
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
James helped me through a refinancing of my rental property in San Luis Obispo. I couldn't have been more pleased with his thoroughness and likability, as well as the way explained each step of the process so that I could understand it. While refis aren't exactly fun, this was as painless as possible. I couldn't recommend him more.
May 15, 2019
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim came highly recommended and did not disappoint; what a pleasure to work with him! He was relentless at finding the best loan for us, while kindly appeasing our first-time home buyers' doubts and responding to our many questions. His knowledge, expertise, and patience, thoroughly prepared us for each steps of the loan process. I would seek his services again without a minute of hesitation.
May 7, 2019
VP Finance
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim is not only thorough and timely in processing a loan application, but he offers insight and solutions on how to best go about solving difficult problems. Over the last ten years when considering a new loan or a refinance, I knew the best first step was to call Jim for his view and perspective on the availability of funds as well as the steps needed to improve my situation.

I therefore highly recommend Jim as a resource and a proven professional.
Apr 17, 2019
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
James made the process very smooth and explained every step of the way. I would definitely recommend him!
Apr 11, 2019
Inside sales of electric industry
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
James is super responsive and amazingly responsible for clients, always take care of his clients and put clients benefit first. I would highly recommend him as your next finance consultant. And I will always come back to him if I have any more investments or loan requests.
Mar 21, 2019
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim Argo helped me with a refinance recently and as a result I’m saving money which I’m very happy about. Jim provides me with various different options and scenarios and did not pressure me into making a decision which I appreciate. I would recommend Jim to anyone looking for a mortgage or a refinance.
Mar 1, 2019
managing partner
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Argo and team locked in a preferred interest rate, guided us through the the complex mortgage process, warned us of potholes ahead, and executed successfully in record time.
Feb 22, 2019
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Great expirence!
Jan 5, 2019
Founder and Creative Director
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim and his team made a challenging re-fi really smooth. A real pro who was able to help us navigate the process with ease.
Dec 17, 2018
President of engineering design and construction company
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Easy review for me here: James and his team helped me about 1 year ago to obtain a loan for my own house; that went just quick and easy so, when I recently found myself in need of a loan for an office space for my company, I certainly had not to shop around. One more time James and his team handled my application professionally; I was educated and informed through all steps and everything went smooth and quick.
Thank you again!
Oct 24, 2018
City Manager
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
James and his team were there with us every step of the way. Great communication throughout the process and professional accurate advice. Easy to reach by phone or e-mail - even when he was traveling outside the country! Answered every question and got us great rates and a quick transaction. Had a firm grasp of our needs and took care of everything! Can't say enough good things about him!
Sep 10, 2018
Office Reception
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim and the team were so helpful, efficient and made this scary process do-able. I am so incredibly glad we went with Jim. He really knows his stuff. They worked so hard tweaking everything just right so we got the best situation for us.
Aug 7, 2018
UX Researcher
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim was very responsive and knowledgeable. He made the process of purchasing our first home very easy for us. You can always count on him to answer any questions you have immediately. I highly recommend his services.
Jun 26, 2018
Homeowner
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim Argo is an experienced professional who can get the job done. He listened to my complicated and unorthodox financing needs and then he and his team figured out how to get those needs met. At the end of the day, that's really what matters. I would also like to commend the thoroughness and professionalism of his team which is critically important in getting lenders to fund a transaction in a highly regulated environment. Good job everyone !
Jun 9, 2018
First-time homebuyer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
James was fantastic to work with. He and his team ensured that the transaction closed smoothly on a fast timeline. He was responsive, knowledgeable, diplomatic with the other side of the deal, and unfailingly honest with me. I recommend James wholeheartedly.
May 22, 2018
Home owner
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim is the BEST! Friendly, well informed and took excellent care of all of my needs! I highly recommend him!
May 9, 2018
Good Real Estate Team Agent
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
James is great with organization and communication. He keeps his clients up to date and informed about large and small improvements in their loan that can add up to a huge advantage in the competitive Bay Area Marketplace. Highly recommended!
Apr 19, 2018
Project Management Leader
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim made my wife and I feel important in a pretty overwhelming situation. Although compared to others our budget was smaller, Jim understood and appreciated that it was a big step for us. He offer sound advice and walked us through the process.
Apr 15, 2018
Sr Project Controller
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We loved working with Jim! Moving from Florida, we had no idea what we were getting into with the crazy San Francisco housing market. We heard from several people that it was key to have a local mortgage broker. We received the recommendation from our realtor (Jeremy Burnett, also amazing!) Jim took valuable time out of his day to teach us about the market and put us at ease. When we finally found our home of our dreams, Jim came through immediately and we were able to close in weeks! Couldn’t have done it with him!
Apr 1, 2018
Apartment Building Owner
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Mr. Argo has helped us buy residential property on two occasions, each time combining our own home with rental units, once as an unconventional TIC. While the purchases did not seem difficult to us, they did to our bank and to our credit union. Jim was able to package our mortgage applications in a way that a lender could see them the way we did, and we had no trouble with financing when we followed his suggestions. He was smart, experienced, very familiar with the industry and a pleasure to work with. We have already recommended him to family and friends.
Mar 8, 2018
Managing Partner
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim and his team are extremely smart, communicative and experienced. They truly care about their clients and helping you through the transaction. I highly recommend him!
Mar 5, 2018
Research
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I wouldn't be a homeowner without the consultation and aid of James Argo. His input was instrumental.
Dec 30, 2017
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jim and his team are pros and made my refi a stress-free experience.
Dec 13, 2017
Property owner
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
James particularly and his team helped me navigate through all phases that took me from strengthening my credit position until obtaining a loan for my house purchase in San Francisco in a very professional manner.
All my questions were answered and particularly, following James' advice, I found myself moving through all phases in a very smooth and easy way.
I am now a property owner in San Francisco mainly thanks to James and his team.

What distinguished James from others I have contacted before is his long time experience with the local market, his knowledge of all sides and his ability to investigate and clearly understand my own situation and expectations and tailor his work around my needs until successful conclusion.

I certainly recommend James and his team to all out there in need of financial advice related to real estate.

Thank you!!
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My Associations

Equal Housing Opportunity | NMLS #1850