Chris Johnson

How I got here

I have been in the mortgage industry for over twenty-two years, and it is really all I have ever known. I started as a loan officer and worked through nearly every side of the business, from originating loans to building and leading mortgage companies.

Why I do this work

I genuinely love originating loans and helping people find solutions that fit their financial situation. Every client is different, and I enjoy figuring out how to get them where they want to go.

Who I work with

A little bit of everything. First-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, investors, self-employed borrowers, VA and FHA buyers, and clients with more complicated financial situations. I especially enjoy the deals that require some creativity and problem-solving.

What I tell first-time buyers

I start by telling them not to assume they need a large down payment. There may be several ways into a home with far less cash than they expect. And with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans, there is no single best program for everyone. We compare the cash to close and the long-term cost, and figure out what actually fits the situation in front of us.

If your situation is not straightforward

Do not assume you cannot qualify just because your tax returns or your income look different. Let me look at the entire financial picture before we decide what is possible. How income is documented matters, but there are also alternative programs that may provide another path.

The misunderstanding I correct most

A lot of first-time buyers assume they need a big down payment and perfect credit. They usually do not. People often think FHA is only for first-time homebuyers, and it is not. VA buyers sometimes think the program is difficult for sellers, or that they need a down payment, which is often not the case. Buyers also assume conventional financing automatically means a large down payment.

A closing I remember

I recently worked with a buyer whose credit score was well below what most people assume they need, and who had been told financing would be very difficult. Instead of focusing only on the score, I looked at the entire financial picture, found a loan program that fit his situation, and we were able to get him approved and into a home. That is one of the most rewarding parts of this business, finding a path forward for someone who thought homeownership was not an option.

Home

Missoula. There is something special about how connected you feel to nature here. The summers are hard to beat, the fall is beautiful, and even after living here for years I still find myself looking around and appreciating where I get to call home. On a clear night, getting outside of town and seeing the stars is pretty incredible. Montana also has a great sense of community. It is big enough to have plenty going on, but still small enough that relationships matter and you run into people you know.