Home mortgages that are easier and cost you less. Simple as that.
I'm John Moran, a mortgage broker in Lake Oswego, Oregon. For 25 years I've helped people buy and refinance homes. I shop more than 85 wholesale lenders for you, and I charge no processing, application, underwriting, administrative, or origination fees.
Other mortgage companies make it complicated and expensive.
You have better things to do than hunt down extra documents and wonder what your loan is really costing you, all while trying to get someone on the phone to talk about it.
There's a simpler way.
What makes Simplify Mortgage different?
Here's how I make buying or refinancing a home easier for you:
Reduced costs
No processing, application, underwriting, administrative, or origination fees. The only Section A charge is discount points, and those are your choice.
85+ lenders, one call
A bank can only offer its own loans. I compare wholesale lenders for your exact situation, and a “no” somewhere else is often just a lender problem.
Single point of contact
You won’t be passed from person to person on a conveyor belt. You’ll have one person to call or text for every question, from pre-approval to closing day.
Less paperwork, only mortgages
I only ask for the documents your loan actually needs. And I don’t sell your information or cross-sell other products.
Loan options
Every loan type, compared across 85+ lenders, so you get the one that actually fits.
Conventional loans
The most common loan. Best with stronger credit and a larger down payment. As little as 3% down for some buyers.
Learn more →FHA loans
Government-backed, 3.5% down, and more forgiving on credit and debt-to-income.
Learn more →VA loans
For veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses. $0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance.
Learn more →Jumbo loans
For loan amounts above the conforming limit ($832,750 in most areas in 2026).
Learn more →Non-QM loans
Bank statement, asset-based, and other ways to qualify when your income doesn’t fit the standard box.
Learn more →Investor loans
Rental property loans, including DSCR loans that qualify on the property’s rent.
Learn more →What clients say
“amazing experience”
We had an amazing experience with Simplify Mortgage. John is hands-down the best. His customer service skills are unparalleled. He walked us through the process and went above and beyond to make sure that all parties had complete transparency during every step. He was extremely responsive and his attention to detail was impressive. I highly recommend Simplify Mortgage and will be using John again next time we apply for a mortgage.
Brent C★★★★★ “working in our best interest”
We are so grateful that we received a recommendation to work with John at Simplify Mortgage! We had a great experience and knew that we could really trust that John was working in our best interest. John was very responsive throughout the process and provided clear and detailed answers to any questions that we had throughout the process. I highly recommend working with John and I can't thank him enough!
Jillian M★★★★★ “I can count on him”
I'm a realtor so I meet lenders quite often. John is exceptional. He is the pinnacle of professionalism, and knowledge. I can count on him when I send any of my friends or clients to him. I know that they will receive the absolute best service that can be provided.
Erica L★★★★★ “quick and seamless close”
John Moran made the process of getting a home loan so simple…just as the name says! I received my pre-qualification letter within a day of my application and was able to start the search for my new home. John clearly explains every step of the process which made for a quick and seamless close and at an incredibly low rate. I highly recommend Simplify Mortgage!
Tammy M★★★★★ Buying a home, step by step
My free six-part guide, each with a video, in the order most buyers need it. Written from 25 years of helping buyers, with Oregon examples.
- How Much House Can You Afford in Portland, Oregon?
- How to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan in Oregon
- FHA vs. Conventional Loans in Oregon: Which Should You Pick?
- How Much Down Payment Do You Need to Buy a House in Oregon?
- How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage in Oregon
- Closing Costs in Oregon: Who Pays and How Much?
Buying in Arizona or Colorado?
The steps are the same, and I'm licensed there too. A few local details differ, like closing costs, transfer taxes, and property taxes, and I'll walk you through them for your state.
Recent accolades
- National Top 1% Originator
- National Fastest Growing Loan Officer
- 2025 5-Star Service Award (UWM)
- Best of Lake Oswego & West Linn 2026
As seen in
USA Today · Yahoo Finance · Credit.com
FAQs
Will I have enough money for the down payment and closing costs?
Many people believe they need 20% down. Depending on the loan, you may have options starting at 3% down (conventional), 3.5% (FHA), or 0% (VA). Your cash to close is the down payment plus third-party costs (mostly title, escrow, appraisal, insurance, and property taxes). I give you that full number on day one, so there are no surprises. Here’s what different down payments look like in Oregon.
Are there hidden fees that show up at the end?
Simplify Mortgage charges no processing, application, underwriting, administrative, or origination fees. The only Section A charge is discount points, which are optional for a lower rate (or required on rare loans that have no zero-point rate). Third-party costs like title, escrow, and taxes aren’t set by any mortgage company, so I estimate them from real numbers for your property up front. How to compare Loan Estimates.
How does a mortgage broker get paid?
Wholesale lenders pay me for placing your loan, and that compensation is built into the rate you choose. Lenders give brokers wholesale pricing, and I keep my margin low, so you get the lender’s pricing without a retail bank’s overhead. Everything is disclosed on your Loan Estimate.
How do I know I’m getting a good rate?
I shop more than 85 wholesale lenders for every loan. After 25 years, I also know which handful consistently win on both rate and service, and which ones to avoid. Ask any mortgage company for a Loan Estimate and compare Section A and the rate side by side. I’m happy to review a competing estimate with you, no charge.
What documents will I need?
Most buyers start with recent pay stubs, two years of W-2s, recent bank and investment statements, and a photo ID. Self-employed borrowers usually add two years of tax returns. If your income is more complicated, I’ll tell you exactly what else is needed.
Will my credit history affect my ability to get a loan?
Credit affects both approval and pricing. Minimum scores depend on the loan type, and terms generally improve as your score rises. If you’re early in the process, I can often start with a soft credit check that doesn’t affect your score at all.
How long does the mortgage process take?
The online application takes about 10–15 minutes, and many clients have a pre-approval letter the same day. Most purchase contracts in Oregon allow 30–45 days to close, and my clients are usually cleared to close well ahead of that, so closing day is a celebration instead of a scramble.
What if something goes wrong after I find a home?
A pre-approval that a real person has reviewed, with your income, credit, and assets verified, is the best protection against surprises. It isn’t a guarantee: final approval still depends on the property, the appraisal, and your finances staying on track. When you make an offer, I call the listing agent to explain how strong your file is, and that call has helped clients win offers.
Locations
Ready to see your real numbers?
The online application takes about 10–15 minutes, and most clients have a pre-approval letter the same day. Prefer to talk first? Call or text John directly.