-
December 2025 by Nereida Leung
My husband and I were referred to Sonya Valia at Vista Lending back in 2020 when we were in the process of buying our first home.
Despite us ultimately using the builder’s lender, Sonya was very friendly and provided so much valuable information and advice. She was very quick to respond and transparent about the process.
Over the years I have reached out to Sonya to get pre-approval letters for homes we made offers on and Sonya provided the same exceptional customer service each time despite our offers not going under contract.
At my request, Sonya happily connected us with a fantastic realtor who she had an experience working with and ultimately led to us closing on our new home!
Throughout the process of going under contract, Sonya was very accommodating and cooperative with my request to have a quick closing due to the holidays approaching. Sonya was very quick to send a list of items she needed from us to start the loan process and created our accounts in their lending portal the first day of the contract which allowed us to securely send her documents right away.
Vista Lending uses an in-house underwriter which is fantastic and allowed the process to go smoothly!
Sonya was great at setting expectations when it came to communication in that she would let me know if she was unavailable for a specific time in case I needed to speak with her.
I appreciate that Sonya is available through phone, text, and e-mail because it provides great flexibility.
Sonya attended our closing, which is unheard of for a lender to do, and stayed with us until the loan funded. Sonya emailed her colleague to advise when documents were sent from Title so that they could fund the loan quickly and allow us to leave with the keys to our new home!
Over the last 5 years, I have communicated with 3 lenders but Sonya Valia has been the only one to provide exceptional service, make us feel like she genuinely has our best interest at heart and made us feel so secure throughout the entire process.
-
September 2025 by Matt Sims
I was introduced to Russ Laing of Vista Lending during my recent home purchase, and working with he and his entire team was one of the best decisions I made in the entire process. Having done multiple real estate transactions over the years, I’ve dealt with more than a few lenders, and I can honestly say Russ and his team are in a different league.
From the start, they made everything straightforward. I’m Type A and detail-driven, and they matched that with total clarity, constant communication, and zero runaround. Every number, every option, every “what if” scenario I threw at them was met with patience and precision.
The rate I locked in was excellent, but just as important, the way the process was handled gave me confidence from start to finish. They walked me through every step, anticipated questions before I even asked, and made what is usually the most stressful part of buying a home feel seamless.
Russ and his team are professional, proactive, and always on top of the details that matter most. They don’t just get you a mortgage, they make sure you feel good about it long after closing. I’ve not only found a lifelong lender, but also a new friend here in Austin!
-
September 2025 by Nancy Jones
I’ve been a client of Russ Laing and Vista Lending for 21 years, and I can honestly say they are the best in the business. I bought one of my very first homes with Russ, and over the years he has continued to be my trusted mortgage advisor.
Russ is excellent at explaining every detail of the process in a way that makes everything clear and stress-free. He truly has his clients’ best interests at heart. His team is equally outstanding—their communication and follow-through are always top-notch, making the entire experience seamless from start to finish.
I give Russ and his team my highest recommendation. If you’re looking for a lender you can trust for the long term, Vista Lending is it. They truly are the best!
-
July 2025 by Bob Kong
Working with Russ Laing and the team at Vista Lending was nothing short of phenomenal. I recently secured a loan for a duplex in Austin, TX, and the entire process was smoother than I ever could’ve imagined. From the very first conversation, Russ exuded professionalism, deep market knowledge, and genuine care for my goals.
What really sets Vista Lending apart is their transparency and responsiveness. Every question I had—big or small—was answered promptly and thoroughly. They walked me through the loan options with clarity, laid out all the terms without jargon, and gave me the confidence to move forward knowing I was in excellent hands.
Russ and his team treated me like more than just a transaction—they made me feel like a partner. If you're looking for a loan provider who blends expertise, integrity, and personal service, I can't recommend Vista Lending highly enough. They made a complex process feel effortless. Five stars without hesitation!
-
June 2025 by Tony Fernandez
Amazing team to work with! Russ and Sarah were very helpful in our home buying process and were able to explain every step to me so I understood what was needed as a first time home buyer. Couldn’t recommend them enough!
-
April 2025 by Jeffrey Eidelman
Working with our lender was so easy. Sonya and her team were incredibly communicative, very educational (great for first time home buyers) and a pleasure to work with. Would recommend
-
March 2025 by Matthew Arth
Very responsive and savvy lender that went the extra mile to help my wife and I obtain a mortgage to purchase our house in Austin. Would highly recommend Vista Lending!
-
January 2025 by dena vandigriff
We have done business with Sonya and her team for over 10 years. They are knowledgeable, responsive and amazing to work with. I highly recommend them to handle your next loan.
-
January 2025 by Jane Lowe
This is a long overdue review but if we could give Russ and his team 100 stars we would. Russ’ customer service is truly unmatched. Though insanely knowledgeable and experienced, he never made us feel embarrassed or nervous to ask any questions as he walked us through this (scary) process. Literal years after closing with his help, we still reach out with questions and he always answers as though we were just talking yesterday. Trustworthy, kind, experienced, everything you would want in this type of partnership and more!!
-
October 2024 by Candice
The team at Vista Lending is incredible! You can go with a bank that is avail to you only Mon-Fri from 9-5 or you can get dedicated service any day of the week. With the same or even better rates than the large banks, and the process of buying a home can sometimes be exhausting and nerve wracking, You need someone who is there for you to guide and be there when you need them. This team is exactly that. The best and I will use them again.
-
September 2024 by Phil Condra
We thoroughly appreciated working with Vista Lending on our loan closing.
-
August 2024 by Lauren Bianchini
If you’re in the market for a lending company that truly delivers, Vista Lending is the one to choose. Russ, Jennifer, Sarah, and the rest of their incredible team went above and beyond to help us close on our home.
Despite facing several unexpected issues, they never wavered. Instead of giving up, they tackled every challenge with determination, patience, and kindness. Their dedication and hard work ensured that we reached our goal, and their supportive attitude made a world of difference during a stressful time.
We couldn’t be more grateful for their relentless efforts. Vista Lending is the only choice for us. Thank you for turning our home-buying dream into a reality.
-
August 2024 by Sebastian Guillen
I recently had the pleasure of refinancing my home for the first time with the help of Russ at Vista Lending. From start to finish, Russ was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. He took the time to explain every detail and answered all my questions, ensuring I felt comfortable and informed every step of the way. His expertise and dedication truly made a world of difference. I highly recommend Russ and Vista Lending for anyone looking to refinance their home. Thank you, Russ, for your outstanding service!
-
August 2024 by Hye Won Baek
I highly recommend Russ as a mortgage loan officer! Throughout the entire process, Russ demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise. He guided us seamlessly through every step, patiently answering all our questions and ensuring we understood each aspect of our mortgage options.
He was proactive in keeping us informed of progress, and his attention to detail was evident in the smooth and timely closing of our loan. His knowledge of the mortgage industry is extensive, and he provided valuable insights that helped us make informed decisions.
We will definitely reach out back to Russ if we need another loan. If you're looking for a mortgage loan officer who goes above and beyond, Russ is the person to see. Thank you, Russ, for your outstanding service!
-
July 2024 by Ketra Bartek
We found Vista Lending through our real estate agent and couldn't be happier. They were responsive and kept things straightforward. No question was too small or silly. We had first tried USAA and they had us going in circles on top of being rude. Russ and his team at Vista kept things simple for us making the complicated and nerve racking business of buying a home smooth sailing.
