Hi, I'm John.

If you're a realtor, financial advisor, or anyone who occasionally needs to point a client toward a mortgage professional, this section is mostly written for you. (Borrowers — keep reading too. You'll get a feel for how I work.)

After 30+ years in mortgage lending, here's what I've figured out about being a good referral partner: it comes down to two things — taking care of your client like they're my own, and keeping you in the loop the entire way. Everything else is execution.

What to expect when you send me a client:

No black holes. You'll hear from me, and so will your client. Consistent updates, proactive communication, no "what's happening with the loan?" texts at 9pm on a Tuesday.

Fast turnaround. Applications get reviewed within hours, not days. Your clients feel prioritized because they are.

A real conversation, not a sales pitch. I'm an educator, not a closer. I walk clients through their options and let them make informed decisions. That produces calmer transactions and clients who come back to you for their next move.

The "guideline guru" thing. Around my office, I'm the one other loan officers call when they hit a complicated scenario. Three decades of doing this means I can usually find a path forward where someone else would say no — especially with down payment assistance, VA loans, and tricky first-time buyer situations.

The broker advantage. I shop your client's loan across multiple lenders instead of being stuck with one set of rates. A quarter-point over a 30-year loan is thousands of dollars — and your client remembers who put them in that position.

Who I serve well: First-time homebuyers, VA candidates, teachers, first responders, and anyone navigating down payment assistance. My parents were both teachers, my sister teaches, and I have deep respect for the people who serve their communities. When you send me one of those clients, they're in good hands.

A bit about me: Spokane kid, WSU Cougar, married to someone who makes me a better listener, and dad to a daughter pursuing her master's in nursing at Duke. Outside of family, you'll find me hiking or running somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.

Referral partners — if you want a lending professional who treats your clients well and keeps you informed, let's get on a call. When you win, I win.

Borrowers — if you want someone to actually explain things, no pressure and no pitch — same invitation.

📧 [email protected] 📱 253.225.1245 🌐 johncobainhomeloans.com NMLS #374881