Some mortgage situations are black and white. Others come in shades of gray.
Either way, John Schaff will help you find a mortgage that fits — and explain what it costs, what the trade-offs are, and who the option fits, before you sign anything.
How John works
Four steps, no surprises
A mortgage is a big decision, but the process doesn't have to feel like one. Here's how John walks you through it.
Talk it through
Tell John what you're trying to do — buy, refinance, or just figure out what's possible. He'll ask the questions that actually matter.
See your options
For each option: what it costs, what the trade-off is, and who it fits. Like a recipe — the ingredients, the price, and whether it suits your table.
Pick the fit
You choose the option that fits your plans and your budget, not the one with the flashiest headline. John will tell you plainly if something doesn't fit.
Close — and keep calling
John stays available for questions after closing. If a mortgage question comes up years later, you can still call him.
Try the numbers
What would the payment look like?
A quick estimate of principal and interest. Change the numbers and watch it move.
Estimate only — not a quote. This calculator shows an estimate of principal and interest for the numbers you enter. It is not a rate quote, an approval, or a commitment to lend. Your actual payment depends on your loan, your taxes and insurance, and the terms you qualify for.
Resource Center
Clearer homebuying decisions
Seven short pieces on the questions buyers actually ask — written the way John talks: what it costs, what the trade-off is, and who it fits.
Comfort, not approval
Getting approved for a number and being comfortable paying it are two different things. Start with the payment, not the pre-approval letter.
Read it →Check your credit report first
Before you shop for a home, shop for your own credit report. Surprises there are cheaper to fix early than at the closing table.
Read it →Ask what the payment includes
A mortgage payment is usually more than principal and interest. Know what's folded in before you judge whether you can afford it.
Read it →Video series
I went gray so that you don't have to
John's recurring video series: the mortgage lessons he's collected over nearly 25 years, told straight — so you don't have to learn them the expensive way.
Not sure where to start?
That's the most common place to start. Tell John what you're trying to do and he'll walk you through the options — no pressure, no obligation.