Mortgage Broker · NMLS #1912744
Hi, I’m Alex MacLagan — Your Mortgage Broker, Not a Big Bank.
I’m an independent mortgage broker licensed in Illinois, Arizona, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. That means I work for you — not a lender — and I shop dozens of loan programs to find the rate and terms that actually fit your life.
Our Story
Why I Became a Mortgage Broker
I didn’t grow up planning to be in the mortgage industry. But a single experience changed everything.
In 2019, I was buying my first fix-and-flip property and applied for a mortgage at a big bank. I got pre-approved. I got a house under contract. I signed my initial disclosures. And then — silence. My loan officer stopped returning my calls, my emails, everything. For over two weeks, I heard nothing.
The next message I received? I needed to increase my down payment from 20% to 25%. No explanation. No apology. Just a new demand, weeks before closing.
I had to scramble to find a completely different lender who could get me to the closing table on time. Somehow, I found one — same interest rate, hit the deadline — but the stress and anxiety of that experience stuck with me. I kept thinking: nobody should have to go through this.
I’ve always loved real estate and I’ve always loved working with people. So I got licensed, built MacLagan Home Loans, and made one promise to myself: every borrower I work with will always know exactly where their loan stands — and they will never be left wondering if their deal is going to fall apart.
— Alex MacLagan, Owner · MacLagan Home Loans
Ready to work with someone who picks up the phone? Start here →My loan officer went silent for two weeks — right in the middle of my first closing.
Alex MacLagan
Owner, MacLagan Home Loans
2019
Licensed & helping borrowers
IL · AZ · MN · WI
Licensed · Accredited · Verified
Licensed, Accredited & Ready to Close
When you work with a mortgage broker, credentials matter. Here’s exactly what Alex brings to the table.
NMLS Licensed Broker
NMLS #1912744 — fully verified on NMLS Consumer Access. Alex is a licensed mortgage loan originator, not a referral service or lead aggregator.
Verify License →Licensed in 4 States
Illinois · Arizona · Minnesota · Wisconsin. Whether you’re buying locally in the north suburbs or relocating, Alex is licensed where you need it.
BBB Accredited Business
MacLagan Home Loans holds BBB Accreditation — a third-party trust signal reflecting ethical business practices and responsiveness to clients.
In the Industry Since 2019
Alex has been originating mortgages since 2019, through rising rate environments, competitive purchase markets, and everything in between.
56+ Five-Star Google Reviews
Verified reviews from real clients across Chicagoland and beyond. Real borrowers, real closings, real results.
Independent Broker — Not a Bank
Alex shops your loan across multiple wholesale lenders to find the best rate — not the most profitable one for a single institution.
See What I Qualify For →Broker vs. Bank
What Working With an Independent Broker Actually Means
Banks can only offer their own loan products at their own rates. As an independent broker, Alex has access to dozens of wholesale lenders — which means more options, more programs, and a genuine shot at a lower rate.
Alex Shops the Market for You
Your application goes to multiple lenders at once. Alex compares rates, fees, and terms side by side, then presents the options that actually make sense for your situation — not just whatever is easiest to close.
One Point of Contact, Start to Finish
No call centers. No being transferred to a stranger who doesn’t know your file. You’ll have Alex’s direct number — and you’ll use it — from pre-approval all the way to closing day.
Full Transparency, No Surprises
Alex learned firsthand what a lack of communication costs a borrower. You’ll get straight answers on rates, timelines, and any changes to your loan — before they become problems, not after.
| What Matters to You | MacLagan Home Loans | Big Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Access to multiple lenders & rates | ✅ Yes — dozens of lenders | ❌ Their rates only |
| Direct access to your loan officer | ✅ Alex’s direct line | ❌ Call center queue |
| Specialty programs (VA, investor, self-employed) | ✅ Full program access | ⚠️ Limited offerings |
| Transparent communication throughout | ✅ Always | ⚠️ Varies widely |
| Works for you, not the institution | ✅ Always | ❌ Works for the bank |
By the Numbers
Real Results From a Real Broker
56+
Five-Star
Google Reviews
4
States
Licensed
6+
Years in the
Mortgage Industry
1
Direct Point
of Contact — Alex
Core Values
The Four Things That Don’t Change
Every loan is different. Every borrower’s situation is different. But how Alex operates never changes.
Responsiveness
You will always get a response. Alex built this business after being ghosted by a loan officer at the worst possible moment. If you reach out, you hear back — same day. That’s not a marketing promise. It’s a personal commitment.
Transparency
No hidden fees. No surprises at closing. Alex explains every number, every document, and every step before you sign anything. If something changes on your loan, you’ll know immediately — not two weeks later.
Access
As an independent broker, Alex works with a wide network of wholesale lenders. That network gives you access to loan programs and rates that most banks and retail lenders can’t match through a single institution.
People First
Alex loves working with real estate investors, first-time homebuyers, veterans and military borrowers, and self-employed borrowers — clients who often get overlooked by big institutions, and exactly who MacLagan Home Loans was built to serve.
Local Roots
A Mortgage Broker Who Knows This Area
Alex grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois — a northwest suburb just minutes from O’Hare and the heart of Chicagoland. He’s not a national call center operator who happens to hold an Illinois license. He knows these communities, the neighborhoods, and the market dynamics that affect your home purchase here.
MacLagan Home Loans is based in Deerfield, IL and primarily serves the north and northwest Chicago suburbs. When Alex isn’t working, you’ll find him watching movies, keeping tabs on his real estate investments, or heading to the beach with his fiancée and their dog, Cooper.
Primary service area:
Also licensed in Arizona, Minnesota & Wisconsin for clients relocating or investing across state lines.
Real Clients · Real Results
What Clients Are Saying
Don’t take our word for it — here’s what real borrowers and real estate professionals say about working with Alex.
Found via ChatGPT
One of our clients discovered MacLagan Home Loans by asking ChatGPT for mortgage brokers — and closed on his first home. AI is sending borrowers here. This is what that looks like.
“I found Alex via ChatGPT while shopping around for rates and he was able to give me a great 30Y fixed rate that other major lenders could not match. He was also very easy to work with from start to finish and made the process of purchasing our first home in Chicago, IL very straightforward and smooth. We’ll definitely be reaching out to him again for any subsequent purchases!”
Eric T.
First-Time Homebuyer · Chicago, IL
“I highly recommend Alex to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and dependable mortgage broker. From our very first conversation, Alex took the time to walk us through different home-buying scenarios and patiently answered every question in detail. Throughout the process, his communication was exceptional — he responded quickly to texts and emails and called regularly with updates. Thanks to Alex, the entire experience was easy, transparent, and stress-free.”
Dominique H.
Homebuyer
“Having worked with Alex before I knew what to expect: expertise, professionalism, diligence, innovation, tenacity, and a sincere concern for the client’s success. The transaction ended up being even more complicated than we expected, but largely thanks to Alex MacLagan’s great work on behalf of the buyer, we closed today. If you need a home loan, don’t pick some internet lender advertising a low teaser-rate — do yourself a favor and work with a professional like Alex, who knows what he’s doing, and will work hard to help you win.”
Larry N.
Illinois Real Estate Licensee · Baird & Warner
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Alex MacLagan
Everything you need to know before working with MacLagan Home Loans.
Ready to Work With a Mortgage Broker Who Actually Picks Up the Phone?
No big bank runaround. No disappearing loan officers. Just straightforward guidance, competitive rates, and a direct line to Alex — from pre-approval to closing day.
No obligation. No hard credit pull. NMLS #1912744. Licensed in IL, AZ, MN & WI. Equal Housing Lender.