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Maria Leach

Residential Mortgages For homes

Maria Leach

First United Bank · Dallas, TX

Home loans with in-house underwriting and fast closings

★ 4.1 · 27 Google reviews firstunitedbank.com/locations/dallas-preston-center 214-316-7915
Request a referral to Maria Call 214-316-7915

Maria Leach is a Senior Mortgage Consultant with First United Bank in Dallas, arranging conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo and construction loans for homebuyers and homeowners refinancing. Processing, underwriting, closing and funding are handled in-house, which keeps closings quick and predictable.

Maria Leach has worked in the mortgage industry for more than 23 years and leads a lending team at First United Bank's Dallas Preston Center office. Before moving into lending she spent six years on a top-producing real estate team, so she understands the pressure of a contract deadline from the agent's side as well as the lender's.

Her team handles conventional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, FHA and VA loans, jumbo loans, and construction financing with both one-time-close and two-time-close options. She also works with grant programs and down payment assistance for first-time buyers, and helps clients build credit when that is the obstacle to approval.

What sets the process apart is that processing, underwriting, closing and funding sit under one roof at the bank, with no overlays added to agency guidelines. Files are pre-underwritten, which is why Maria can close well inside the typical timeline; she cites a company average of 19 days. Her approach is to educate borrowers up front so a stressful transaction becomes a clear one. NMLS 761972.

Services

  • Conventional purchase loans
  • FHA and VA loans
  • Jumbo loans
  • Construction loans, one- and two-time close
  • Refinancing
  • Down payment assistance programs
  • Credit building guidance

Who should contact Maria

A first-time buyer who is not sure they qualify yet, or a family under contract who needs a lender that can close on time. Also homeowners who want to refinance or build, and real estate agents or builders who need a reliable lending partner for buyers who fall outside a builder's in-house guidelines.

Service area: Dallas–Fort Worth, with lending across Texas

Why members refer Maria

  1. Processing, underwriting, closing and funding are all in-house, so there is no outside underwriter slowing the file
  2. Files are pre-underwritten, and she cites a company average closing time of 19 days
  3. More than 23 years in mortgage lending plus six years on a real estate team, so both sides of the transaction are familiar

Guide by Maria

You want to buy a house but are not sure you qualify: from unsure to approved to closed

9 min read. What is happening, what you can check yourself, and when to call.

Read the guide

In Maria's own words

From Maria's chapter profile.

Top problem solved
We help our clients build credit when needed. We have in-house Underwriting with no overlays for Fannie Mae or Freddie loans. Simple and clean process. We can close very quickly. Our company average is 19-days, and we can close even sooner, since we pre-underwrite files. Processing, Underwriting, Closing and Servicing are all in-house.
Ideal client
Realtors and Real Estate Offices Friends or family members purchasing a home or wanting to refinance. First Time Home Buyers
Top products and services
All Fannie and Freddie loans--such as Conforming, VA, and FHA · Construction Loan-One Time Close and 2-Time Close · Grant programs and Down Payment Assistance

What clients say on Google

Excerpts from public Google reviews of First United Bank - Dallas Preston Center. Read all 27 on Google.

★★★★★a year ago

Anna Decamp & Melanie Leach are the best!! We had the best experience ever, we had a lot of set backs but, they stayed with us through it all. I can not say enough about these two women. I will be for ever thankful. Melanie walked us through every trying moment. I will recommend them to anyone.

— Teresa Spiller
★★★★★a year ago

First and foremost the staff is amazing but the two that really make sure we are treated with respect and kindness is Flora and RJ. I’ve been with this bank since 2022 and the move was the best decision ever. Thanks guys for all you do for your customers❤️🙌🏾 10/10 …

— Lajuana Welton
★★★★★6 years ago

I am so thankful that God connected me to this bank. I can’t say enough good things about the staff. They are professional, kind and go out of their way to go above and beyond. Evelyn is a true gift and always delivers on her word. She even helped me on a Saturday when they were closed. I also love that they use my name when I come into the bank or go through the drive-thru; great customer service.

— Laura Hubbard
★★★★★6 years ago

Evelyn Reynolds and the team at First United Bank are amazing. They are so focused on creating a fabulous experience for their clients. I really enjoy being part of their First United Family. Cheers, Rashmi

— Rashmi Malhotra

Questions people ask

How quickly can a loan close?

Maria's team pre-underwrites files, and processing, underwriting, closing and funding are all handled inside the bank. She cites a company average closing time of 19 days and says closings can happen sooner when the file is complete.

Can she help if credit is holding me back?

Yes. Helping clients build credit is part of the service, and the bank underwrites to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines without adding its own overlays. That means some borrowers who were declined elsewhere can qualify.

Does she work with first-time buyers and down payment assistance?

First-time buyers are a core part of her work. She arranges FHA, VA and conventional loans with low down payment options and works with grant and down payment assistance programs where the borrower qualifies.

Contact

CompanyFirst United Bank

Email is routed through the referral form so the chapter can track the introduction. Prefer to email directly? Ask Maria for an address when they call.

Request a referral to MariaCall

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