New York

Aurum and Sharpe was founded in 2017 by me, Bryan Hanley, and one of my best friends, Rudy Renelique. After many years working at big banks like Chase, and Wells Fargo, we decided we could bring value to a mortgage market that was starving for independent thinkers. So we started Aurum and Sharpe over a phone call about financing a multi-family deal in Brooklyn. Since starting this business we’ve been on many adventures from financing a $20 million portfolio of single families, to meeting the President of Rwanda and Finance Minister of Namibia.

Rudy has gone on to start his own firm, Overture Capital, while I’ve stayed on to grow Aurum and Sharpe. Aurum is the original Latin word for gold (that’s why the periodic table has it listed at Au). We chose it because we think of our word as “as good as Gold.” And in that vein, we want to add value to every customer we come in contact with. Our promise is that by working with us, you will increase your Freedom, Purpose, and Fulfillment.

Our process includes learning your overall objectives and where you want to go in your life so that we make sure your financing enhances your life and gets you to your destination much faster. What that means though, is that we are not like every other broker on the street that will only do a surface level amount of learning about you, your life, and your motivations. For us, that is Gold. We want to learn how we can tailor your financing so that you thrive in your life! So before we talk about rates, terms, or anything else, we are going to try and figure out how to add value through financing.

We know this approach isn’t for everyone. But if this resonates with you, lets talk: 917 475 6207

February 7, 2022
Refinance your mortgage

How to Refinance my Portfolio of Single-family Homes?

Rather than buying apartment buildings, many real estate investors are focusing on acquiring multiple single-family homes and creating a portfolio. With the rising cost of single-family homes, the decrease in overall home inventory, and the increased requirements to qualify for a first-time homebuyer loan program homeownership has dropped, and more people are renting. Specifically, they’re opting to stay long-term in single-family homes in a semblance of achieving the American dream. However, as a real estate investor with a portfolio of single-family homes, you may be wondering how to refinance them. This can be a difficult process, but rest assured it is not impossible. In this article, we’ll outline the steps you need to take in order to refinance a portfolio of homes, as well as the benefits and potential risks. What is a Single-family Home Portfolio? Before jumping into how […]
January 31, 2022
Real Estate Investors

Who Are the Richest Real Estate Investors?

Most major business publications will agree that real estate makes up more than two-thirds of the net worth around the world. Real estate is a lucrative investment opportunity that has created hundreds of millionaires and billionaires. As a budding real estate investor, especially one just getting started, there is much you can learn from those who have already walked in your shoes. This is why in this article we share with you who are the top 10 the richest real estate investors in the world, and what they did to get there. 10. Sam Zell Net Worth: $4.8 billion Investments: Multifamily, Office, Manufactured Housing, REITs In our list, Sam Zell starts as number 10 of the world’s richest real estate investor. Often regarded as a leader within the industry, Sam Zell’s start in real estate began young. Sam was born […]
January 28, 2022
Non-Qualified Loans

What is a Non-QM Mortgage?

When trying to buy a home or investment property you’ve most likely considered getting a mortgage, or outside financing to help you make the purchase. Between FHA loans, conventional loans, jumbo loans, hard money loans, and private money loans there are seemingly endless options. Despite all of the loans that are available, there are two major distinctions you should know about: qualified versus non-qualified mortgages. Unlike a qualified mortgage, a nonqualified loan is not subject to certain restrictions such as a debt-to-income ratio requirement. This makes non-qualified mortgages an attractive option for borrowers who don’t necessarily fit the ‘standard’ mold when buying a home, or for buyers that are looking to acquire a property that doesn’t meet FHA or conventional loan requirements, as is often the case for real estate investors. In order to know whether or not a non-qualified […]
January 27, 2022
What credit score do I need to buy an investment property

What credit score do I need to buy an investment property?

Buying an investment property is a major step in becoming an active real estate investor. Purchasing a property in hopes of developing it in the future, flipping a single-family home like you see on TV for a profit, or buying an asset that generates passive rental income can all be exciting ways and reasons to invest in real estate. There are, however, a lot of things you have to do in order to prepare and set yourself up for success. Naturally, you’ll need to do your research, work with the right real estate agent, and find a good deal. And once you do, you’re most likely going to want to finance the purchase, as opposed to paying all cash, which will involve getting a loan. Typically, lenders that specialize in making investment property loans will look at the real estate, […]
January 27, 2022
How often should I refinance my investment property?

How often should I refinance my investment property?

Without a doubt, real estate investing is one of the greatest sources of wealth in our country. According to numerous publications, 90 percent of all top earners in the world have their net worth tied to real estate. However, it’s not simply enough to own real estate to generate wealth necessarily, but rather the cash flow that the real estate you own creates. Unlike the typical 3 bedroom 2 bathroom single-family home where you and your family live, an investment property that is rented out to either a residential or commercial tenant and brings in a consistent source of passive income revenue is where the true power of real estate unfolds. Staying cash flow positive on your real estate, however, is not easy, as there are many expenses to having a rental that are not equally offset by rent. Rising […]
December 28, 2021

The Step by Step Guide to Refinancing Your Underlying Co-op Mortgage

There are a lot of benefits to refinancing your underlying co-op mortgage. These include a lower interest rate and changing your loan term. Depending on your why, refinancing may be the right choice for your co-op mortgage. Borrowers save an average of $2,800 annually by refinancing their loans. With a 10-year loan, this would equal out to $28,000.  Underlying co-op mortgages have shorter terms than residential mortgages and often have balloon payments at the end, so refinancing is common with these types of loans.  Keep reading to understand how to refinance an underlying co-op mortgage.  What is an Underlying Co-Op Mortgage? It’s important to understand what a mortgage is and how an underlying mortgage differs. Co-ops have special mortgages and rules on how funding works. What is a Mortgage? A mortgage is a loan that uses a form of real estate as […]
December 28, 2021

10 Things to Avoid When Refinancing Your Underlying Co-op Mortgage

Did you know that mortgage rates have hit a 50-year low? If your building board is planning to refinance your building’s underlying mortgage in 2022, there are many pitfalls to avoid.  Some people might panic when they hear the phrase “refinance underlying co-op mortgage.” However, there are many benefits to this process. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 things to look out for as you navigate this process.  First Step to Refinance Underlying Co-op Mortgage Before we get into the full list, let’s discuss the first steps. Refinancing a mortgage is one of the most important things your board will ever undertake. The implications of a refinance will impact every shareholder in your building.  If done correctly, a refinanced mortgage will affect the monthly maintenance costs for every shareholder. The market value of each dwelling will change.  The process […]
October 31, 2019

We’ve been nominated as The Best Mortgage Company in Brooklyn…Again!

We’ve been nominated as The Best Mortgage Company in Brooklyn once again! We have been nominated for 2020, and 2021 We are very grateful to have great clients and great colleagues! Thank you again Best of Brooklyn! Mortgage Rates Calculate Your Monthly Payment
July 21, 2017
best mortgage company in brooklyn

We’ve been nominated as The Best Mortgage Company in Brooklyn!

We at Aurum & Sharpe would be nothing without our clients, and your satisfaction with our service means the world to us. We are happy to announce that this year we have been nominated as The Best Mortgage Company in Brooklyn! It is so humbling to know that our hard work is appreciated, enough so to earn this nomination. Now we need your help to win! Here’s how to vote: Go to bestofbk.com and click ‘Vote Now.’ Select the ‘Services’ category on the left Scroll down and select ‘Mortgage Company’ Vote for ‘Bryan Hanley’! Votes are limited to one per category per day. Be sure to keep voting every day until August 4, 2017 to make sure your favorite businesses win the “Best of” title! Mortgage Rates Calculate Your Monthly Payment
May 31, 2017

The Office Condo Market in New York City

Office condos are buildings with individual units that companies can purchase as office space. Though they are relatively new in the United States, they’re becoming increasingly common in big cities with limited space, such as New York City. Here is a quick breakdown of the office condo market in NYC.   Who is investing? Nonprofit organizations are the largest classification of office condo buyers in New York City, making up 24% of buyers. For the approximately 25,000 nonprofits based in NYC, office condos are the ideal choice for office space because they’re the ideal size, and they’re economical. Nonprofit organizations benefit more from owning their office condos instead of leasing. Owning protects them from being forced to leave due to expensive rent. In addition, in the United States, nonprofit organizations are exempt from property taxes if they buy their office […]