About Buku Lending

The people behind Buku Lending.

The firm

Buku Lending is a boutique wholesale mortgage brokerage in Santa Monica, founded by Mike Race and licensed in California, Colorado, and Florida.

Our tagline, "Think outside the branch," describes how the business works. Instead of offering one bank's loans, we submit your scenario to multiple wholesale lenders and let them compete.

We put education first. A mortgage is one part of your long-term finances, so we give advice before you apply, explain the trade-offs in plain English, and don't charge junk fees.

Founded by: Mike Race
Office: Santa Monica, CA
Licensed in: CA · CO · FL
Company NMLS: #2113850

A sunlit corner of the Santa Monica office: brass lamp, olive branch and linen chair by a tall window with palms outside

Broker vs. bank

Think outside the branch.

A bank can only offer its own loans. As a wholesale broker, we take your scenario to multiple lenders, let them compete for it, and walk you through the trade-offs before you choose.

Compared At a bank

Lenders competing for your loan One: the bank itself Multiple wholesale lenders, side by side

Loan programs That bank's own shelf Five, including DSCR and bank-statement loans

Pricing Retail Wholesale and itemized, with $0 junk fees

The recommendation Limited to that bank's products Lender-neutral. Our pay is the same whichever lender wins.

Who you talk to Often a call center A named advisor who knows your file

How we operate

Three principles we work by.

Each one is backed up by a client's Google review.

5.0Average rating on Google

01
Strategy over sales

The first conversation is about your plans. If the right move is to wait, refinance later or keep your current loan, that's the advice you'll get.

"He actually kept in touch with me for several months until rates had dropped enough and also gave us advice to increase our credit score in the meantime."

Stephanie Bailey · Refinance
02
Education first

You'll understand every trade-off before you sign anything: rate vs. points, PMI math, funding fees, term-reset costs. Our calculators are free and ungated for exactly this reason.

"My experience with Mike was quick, clear, and very helpful! … the whole refinancing experience was very easy!"

Tara Williams · Refinance
03
No junk fees

Wholesale pricing with every cost itemized. Our pay is the same whichever lender wins your file, so the recommendation is based on what fits you.

"Beating out all the competition in both rate and communication."

Jordan Rich · New build, Florida

Owner reply · Mike Race"…builders try and make you use their lenders by promising money in credits but is always padded somewhere else as you've seen."