Born & raised in California · NMLS #235072

A California broker who knows your block.

Serving San Jose, Campbell, Santa Clara County, and the greater Bay Area.

I'm Chris Johnson — a lifelong Californian and mortgage broker serving the Bay Area, Central Coast, and beyond. Local market, local lenders, local relationships.
No jargon, no pressure — just the right loan for the life you're building here.

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5.0★

198+ verified reviews

1,200+

Families funded

$1.4B

In loans closed

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Dual-licensed advisor

One Trusted Advisor for Real Estate & Mortgage.

Buying or selling a home shouldn't require multiple advisors who don't communicate with one another. As both a licensed California Real Estate Broker and Mortgage Loan Originator, I help guide clients through every step of the process — one trusted relationship from financing through closing.

Real Estate Expertise

Helping you buy, sell, and negotiate with confidence.

Mortgage Financing

Finding financing solutions tailored to your goals.

One Trusted Relationship

From your first conversation to closing day and beyond.

Start where you are

Which sounds most like you?

Pick the situation that fits. I'll point you to the right numbers, the right program, and a no-pressure next step.

Portrait of Chris Johnson, mortgage broker
Equal Housing LenderNMLS #235072CA DRE #01131369Affinity Mortgage | NMLS #252576
Meet Chris

San Jose's trusted mortgage broker — 30 years serving Santa Clara County.

Based in Campbell and serving San Jose, Los Gatos, and the wider Bay Area, I help first-time buyers, growing families, and seasoned investors find financing that fits — without the noise. For more than 30 years, I've helped buyers, homeowners, and investors navigate changing markets with practical guidance and personalized financing strategies. The relationships I've built with local agents, appraisers, and lenders mean fewer surprises and faster closes for you. As a licensed California real estate broker, I can also represent buyers and sellers directly — making me a true one-stop resource for Bay Area homeowners and investors.

CA-born

Lifelong local

1,200+

Families funded

15+

Loan & Real Estate Programs

Learn more about Chris
No pressure, ever

Have a quick question? Just text me.

Most questions get a same-day reply. No forms, no email chain — just a real answer from Chris.

Loan programs

A loan for every chapter.

See all programs →

Conventional

Flexible terms for buyers with steady credit and stable income.

FHA Loans

Lower down payments — a great fit for first-time buyers.

VA Loans

Honoring our veterans with $0 down financing options.

Jumbo Loans

Financing beyond conforming limits, made simple.

USDA Loans

Rural-area homeownership with attractive terms.

Reverse Mortgage

Homeowners 62+ can convert home equity into tax-free income with no monthly mortgage payment required.

Self-Employed Loans

Business owners and 1099 earners can qualify using bank statements, P&L, or asset depletion — no tax returns required.

Real Estate Investor Loans

DSCR, fix-and-flip, multi-unit, and portfolio loans for Bay Area investors. Qualify on property income, not personal income.

Hard Money & Private Loans

Fast, asset-based financing for investors and time-sensitive deals. Close in as little as 7–14 days when conventional lending isn't fast enough.

Not sure which fits?

I'll match the right program to your situation.

Tell me a little about your goal — I'll come back with the 2–3 loans that actually make sense.

Run the numbers

See your monthly payment in seconds.

Slide the inputs. The estimate updates liveno email, no signup. When you're ready, Chris turns it into a real plan.

$1,200,000
20%
6.5%

Estimated total payment

$7,393/mo

Includes principal, interest, taxes, insurance.

P&I$6,068
Taxes$1,200
Insurance$125

Loan amount

$960,000

FAQ

Common questions from Bay Area homebuyers

It depends on the loan type. FHA loans require a 580 minimum. Conventional loans start at 620 but you will want 740 or higher for the best rate. Most Bay Area purchases require jumbo financing — for those, plan on 720 to 740 minimum with the best pricing at 760 or higher.

Most likely yes. The 2026 conforming loan limit for Santa Clara County is $832,750. With median home prices well above $1.5M in San Jose, the majority of purchases here require jumbo financing. The good news — jumbo rates have become very competitive and Chris specializes in this market.

A reverse mortgage allows homeowners aged 62 or older to access their home equity without making monthly mortgage payments. The most common type is the FHA-insured HECM. You must live in the home as your primary residence and maintain it. It can be a powerful retirement planning tool for Bay Area homeowners who have built significant equity.

It varies by loan type. FHA requires 3.5% down. Conventional loans start at 3% for first-time buyers and 5% for repeat buyers. Jumbo loans typically require 10 to 20% down. For a $1.5M home that means $150,000 to $300,000 — but down payment assistance programs may offset some of this for qualifying buyers.

Chris typically turns around pre-approvals within 24 hours once he has your documents. A full pre-approval — not just a pre-qualification — is what you need to write competitive offers in the Bay Area market.

Waiting for rates in the Bay Area has historically cost buyers more in home price appreciation than they saved in interest. You can always refinance when rates improve — you cannot go back and buy at last year's price. The right time to buy is when your financial picture is ready.

As an independent broker Chris has access to dozens of lenders and can shop your loan for the best rate and terms — something a bank employee working for one institution cannot do. He also picks up the phone, knows the Bay Area market personally, and has been closing loans here for over 30 years.
Like the number?

Let's pressure-test it in 15 minutes.

Bring your estimate to a quick call. Chris will tell you what's realistic, what's missing, and what a real rate looks like today.

Why work with Chris

Local-first guidance

Rooted in California neighborhoods — I know the appraisers, the agents, and the quirks of every zip code I lend in.

Straight answers

Decades inside California real estate means clear advice without the runaround.

Move at your pace

Whether you're shopping next week or next year, I meet you where you are.

One-Stop Shop

As a licensed California real estate broker and mortgage broker, I can handle your financing and represent you in the transaction — no coordination gap, no conflicting advice, just one trusted advisor from offer to close.

A lifelong Californian funding California homes.

Born here. Raised here. Still here — closing loans for the neighbors I grew up with.

  • San Jose
  • Campbell
  • Los Gatos
  • Saratoga
  • Santa Clara
  • Sunnyvale
  • Mountain View
  • Cupertino
  • Morgan Hill
  • Gilroy
What clients say

Rated 5.0 stars across 198+ verified client reviews.

68 on Google, 32 on Yelp, and 98 on WalletHub — every quote below is real. Tap any card to read it on the original source.

5.0

Verified on
Yelp & Google
Google
"Chris was solid from start to finish. Kept things moving, was always reachable when we had questions, and made sure we understood what we were signing up for. Closed on our first home without any surprises on the lending side. Couldn't ask for more."
J

Jonn Ventura

Google review · Apr 30, 2026

Google
"Chris made us feel so supported during the whole home buying process! As first-time home buyers there were a lot of nerves and uncertainty. He provided a quick and seamless loan process. Would recommend him to anyone!"
E

Emma Alexander

Google review · Apr 29, 2026

Google
"From start to finish, everything went very smoothly, and that was largely because of your guidance and support. Responsive, kind, and patient — thank you for your outstanding support purchasing my first home."
S

SFGiantsGirl

Google review · Jan 3, 2026

Google
"As first-time homebuyers, Chris made the entire process feel manageable and clear. Prompt responses, honest, professional, and genuinely invested in his clients' best interests. Wholeheartedly recommend him."
A

Alicia Mesa

Google review · Jun 11, 2025

Google
"We've done six deals with Chris over the last 12 years — 4 new home purchases and 2 refis. Always honest, prompt and reliable, and a trusted asset in all of our real estate dealings."
A

Anthony Gonzales

Google review · Aug 16, 2024

Google
"Chris is incredibly knowledgeable, efficient, and supportive. He worked within my timeframe, secured an amazing rate, and made everything smooth and stress-free. The best in this business."
F

Fernando Albuquerque

Google review · Jul 11, 2024

Let's talk about your next home.

A short, no-pressure call is the easiest way to see what you qualify for and what makes sense for your family.