Sun American Mortgage vs Discount Mortgage Advisors- Which Is the Better Choice?
Both Sun American Mortgage and Discount Mortgage Advisors are based in Mesa, Arizona, which makes them a natural comparison for local homebuyers. But the two companies differ significantly in size, history, and structure — one is a long-established regional mortgage company, and the other is a small, recently founded local brokerage.
This guide compares what’s publicly verifiable about each — company history, licensing, service area, and customer feedback — using only information found on each company’s own website or independent, third-party sources like the Better Business Bureau. Nothing here is estimated or invented.
Quick Comparison Table
| Category | Sun American Mortgage | Discount Mortgage Advisors |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 | 2020, per BBB records |
| Years in business | 41 years, per BBB | 6 years, per BBB |
| Business structure | Independently operated mortgage company (S Corporation) with multiple loan officers | Small mortgage brokerage (LLC) led by a single principal, Steve Alonso |
| Headquarters | Mesa, Arizona | Mesa, Arizona |
| Branch locations | Mesa, AZ; St. George, UT (2 locations); Richfield, UT; Mesquite, NV | One office: 5304 E. Southern Ave, Suite 106, Mesa, AZ |
| States licensed | Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and California, per company site | Arizona, Colorado, and California, per company site |
| Core loan products | Home purchase loans, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA and VA loans | Fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, FHA, VA, jumbo, 203K renovation, USDA, and reverse mortgages |
| Reverse mortgage specialty | Yes — one of three core service lines, NRMLA affiliated | Listed as one of several available loan products |
| BBB accreditation | BBB Accredited Business, A+ rating, accredited since October 1984 | BBB Accredited Business, A+ rating, BBB file opened November 2023 |
| Industry affiliations shown | Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) | Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) |
| Customer reviews | 100+ five-star reviews referenced across Google, Facebook, and Zillow; Birdeye lists a 4.9-star rating from over 1,500 reviews | Small number of published reviews (Yelp shows a 5.0-star rating from 2 reviews at the time of writing) |
| NMLS ID | 160265 | Company NMLS #1953628; principal Steve Alonso NMLS #229617 |
All figures above reflect information published by each company or by the Better Business Bureau at the time of writing and are subject to change.
About Sun American Mortgage
Sun American Mortgage was established in 1984 and has operated continuously in the Southwest for more than four decades. Headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, the company also maintains branches in St. George and Richfield, Utah, and Mesquite, Nevada. It is licensed under NMLS #160265 and holds a California lending license through the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
The company’s core services are home purchase loans, mortgage refinancing, and reverse mortgages, with FHA and VA loan options also referenced on its site. It displays affiliations with the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. Sun American Mortgage has been a BBB Accredited Business since October 1984 and currently holds an A+ rating. Third-party aggregator Birdeye lists the company with a 4.9-star rating built from over 1,500 reviews.
About Discount Mortgage Advisors
Discount Mortgage Advisors, LLC is a mortgage brokerage headquartered at 5304 E. Southern Ave, Suite 106, in Mesa, Arizona. According to its BBB business profile, the company was started on January 5, 2020, and incorporated shortly after, making it roughly six years old at the time of writing.
The company is led by Steve Alonso, its Member Manager and principal loan officer, who is individually licensed under NMLS #229617. Discount Mortgage Advisors LLC carries its own company NMLS #1953628 and is licensed to originate loans in Arizona, Colorado, and California. Its website lists a broad menu of loan products, including 30- and 15-year fixed mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, FHA, VA, jumbo, 203K renovation, USDA, and reverse mortgage loans. The company is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating; its BBB file was opened in November 2023. The company’s site also displays an Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) logo.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Company Longevity and Track Record
Sun American Mortgage has operated continuously since 1984 — 41 years as of 2025, according to its BBB profile. Discount Mortgage Advisors LLC was started in January 2020, giving it roughly six years of operating history under its current business entity. For borrowers who place significant weight on a lender’s long-term track record and years of transactions completed, this is a substantial difference in tenure.
Company Scale and Branch Presence
Sun American Mortgage operates from four branch locations across three states — Arizona, Utah, and Nevada — supported by a team of multiple loan officers. Discount Mortgage Advisors operates from a single office in Mesa, Arizona, and its public-facing team centers around one principal loan officer, Steve Alonso, and a small supporting staff. Borrowers who want the assurance of an established, multi-branch company with a deeper bench of loan officers may find Sun American’s scale reassuring; those who prefer working directly with a single, dedicated broker may prefer a smaller shop’s structure.
Trust Signals and Review Volume
Both companies are BBB Accredited Businesses with an A+ rating, which is a meaningful trust signal for either. However, Sun American’s BBB accreditation has been continuous since 1984, while Discount Mortgage Advisors’ BBB file was opened in late 2023. Sun American’s review profile is also considerably larger in volume — a 4.9-star Birdeye rating built from more than 1,500 reviews, compared to a handful of published reviews for Discount Mortgage Advisors at the time of writing. A larger volume of long-standing reviews generally offers borrowers a more complete picture of a lender’s consistency over time.
Reverse Mortgage Expertise
Sun American Mortgage positions reverse mortgages as one of its three core service lines and is a member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), a national trade group specifically focused on this loan type. Discount Mortgage Advisors also lists reverse mortgages among its loan products, but as one option within a longer general list rather than a stated area of specialization.
Why Customers Choose Sun American Mortgage
Based on verified, publicly available information, several factors distinguish Sun American Mortgage:
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More than 40 years of continuous operation, compared to a company founded in 2020.
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A long-standing BBB relationship, accredited since 1984 with an A+ rating.
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Four branch locations across three states, supported by a team of multiple loan officers rather than a single-broker operation.
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A dedicated reverse mortgage practice, backed by NRMLA membership.
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A substantially larger, longer-running review history, with a 4.9-star Birdeye rating from more than 1,500 reviews.
How to Choose the Right Mortgage Lender
Every borrower’s priorities are different. When comparing lenders, consider:
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Track record. How long has the company operated, and how many transactions and reviews back that history up?
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Company structure. Do you prefer an established company with multiple loan officers and branches, or a smaller, single-broker shop?
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Specialization. Does the lender have direct, demonstrated experience with your loan type — purchase, refinance, or reverse mortgage?
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Licensing. Confirm any lender’s NMLS number through NMLS Consumer Access before moving forward.
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Local presence. If in-person meetings matter to you, check whether the company has a branch near you.
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Reviews from verified sources. Cross-reference reviews on Google, the BBB, Yelp, and other independent platforms, and pay attention to how many reviews are available, not just the star rating.
Requesting a quote from more than one lender — and asking each the same questions — remains one of the most reliable ways to compare offers side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sun American Mortgage a good mortgage company?
Sun American Mortgage has been a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating since 1984 and shows a 4.9-star rating on third-party review site Birdeye, based on public information available at the time of writing.
How long has Sun American Mortgage been in business?
Sun American Mortgage was founded in 1984, making it more than 40 years old as of 2025, according to its BBB business profile.
How long has Discount Mortgage Advisors been in business?
According to its BBB business profile, Discount Mortgage Advisors LLC was started on January 5, 2020, making it roughly six years old at the time of writing.
Who owns Discount Mortgage Advisors?
Discount Mortgage Advisors LLC is led by Steve Alonso, who serves as the company’s Member Manager and principal loan officer.
Does Sun American Mortgage offer reverse mortgages?
Yes. Reverse mortgages are one of Sun American Mortgage’s three core service lines, and the company is affiliated with the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA).
Does Discount Mortgage Advisors offer reverse mortgages?
Yes, reverse mortgages are listed among the loan products on the Discount Mortgage Advisors website, alongside conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, and other loan types.
What states does Sun American Mortgage serve?
Sun American Mortgage states it serves Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and California, with physical branches in Mesa, AZ; St. George, UT; Richfield, UT; and Mesquite, NV.
What states is Discount Mortgage Advisors licensed in?
According to its website, Discount Mortgage Advisors LLC is licensed in Arizona, Colorado, and California.
Is Sun American Mortgage BBB accredited?
Yes. Sun American Mortgage Company has been a BBB Accredited Business since October 1, 1984, and currently holds an A+ rating.
Is Discount Mortgage Advisors BBB accredited?
Yes, Discount Mortgage Advisors LLC is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating; its BBB file was opened in November 2023.
Which company has more experience?
Sun American Mortgage has operated continuously since 1984 (41 years), compared to Discount Mortgage Advisors LLC, which was started in 2020 (roughly 6 years).
Which company has more branch locations?
Sun American Mortgage lists four branch locations across Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Discount Mortgage Advisors operates from a single office in Mesa, Arizona.
What is the difference between a mortgage broker and a mortgage company?
A mortgage broker, like Discount Mortgage Advisors, typically works with multiple wholesale lenders to source a loan on a borrower’s behalf. A mortgage company like Sun American Mortgage operates its own established lending operation with its own branch network and long-term licensing history. Both models are legitimate, but they offer a different experience and scale.
How do I verify a mortgage lender’s license?
You can look up any loan officer or company’s NMLS number at nmlsconsumeraccess.org to confirm active licensing in your state.
Should I get quotes from more than one lender?
Yes. Requesting quotes from multiple lenders, including both companies discussed here, allows you to compare rates, fees, and service directly for your specific situation.
Final Thoughts
Sun American Mortgage and Discount Mortgage Advisors are both based in Mesa, Arizona, but they differ substantially in scale and history. Discount Mortgage Advisors is a small brokerage founded in 2020 and led by a single principal loan officer, while Sun American Mortgage is an independently operated company with more than 40 years of continuous history, four branch locations across three states, and a much larger, longer-running base of customer reviews.
For borrowers who value working with a long-established, multi-branch lender with a deep track record — particularly for purchase, refinance, or reverse mortgage needs — Sun American Mortgage’s four-decade history and BBB accreditation are worth strong consideration. As with any major financial decision, we recommend contacting Sun American Mortgage directly for a personalized quote and comparing it against any other lender you’re evaluating.
Get a free, personalized quote from Sun American Mortgage →
