Ken Janes - Mortgage Advisor - Barrett Financial Group

Ken Janes - Mortgage Advisor - Barrett Financial Group Certified Mortgage Advisor at Barrett Financial Group
Helping VA buyers, business owners, and homeowners build long-term wealth through real estate.

Serving California
VA • FHA • Conventional • Non-QM
NMLS #1987796 Mortgage finance runs in my blood. For years, I tried to resist it, but what kept drawing me back was the chance to make a real impact. I’ve learned that this work is so much more than numbers and paperwork, it’s about building meaningful relationships, serving my community, and helping families create both wealth and legacy. Everyt

hing begins with a home. But it doesn’t end there. Life changes, and your needs change with it. Your mortgage should grow with you, whether you’re starting fresh, expanding, or planning ahead for new seasons of life. That’s why I don’t just see myself as your loan advisor for today, but as your partner for the long run. My role is to guide you through the many options available, educate you so you feel confident in your choices, and ensure your home continues to be a foundation for opportunity year after year. Because a mortgage isn’t just a loan, it’s a stepping stone to the future you’re building. And I’d be honored to walk that journey with you. Ken Janes, Mortgage Advisor
NMLS #1987796

Cell: (805) 866-4416
[email protected]

Kenneth Morgan Janes | NMLS #1987796 | Barrett Financial Group, L.L.C. | NMLS #181106 | 2701 East Insight Way, Suite 150, Chandler, AZ 85286 | AZ 0904774 | CT ML-181106 | FL MLD1880 | ID 2080181106 | Equal Housing Opportunity | Equal Housing Lender | This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval. | nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/181106

A PRICE REDUCTION ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST DEAL.When negotiating on a home, most buyers naturally focus on getting the sell...
09/10/2026

A PRICE REDUCTION ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST DEAL.

When negotiating on a home, most buyers naturally focus on getting the seller to lower the price.

But there may be better ways to use those negotiating dollars.

Depending on the loan and transaction, a seller concession could potentially be used toward:

• Seller-paid closing costs, reducing the amount of cash you need at closing

• A seller-paid payment subsidy, temporarily reducing your monthly mortgage payment

• A price reduction, lowering the amount you pay for the home

Same negotiation. Three very different financial outcomes.

The best option depends on your cash, monthly payment, financing, and how long you expect to own the home.

Before deciding what to ask the seller for, let's run the numbers.

Sometimes the better deal isn’t the lower-priced home.

Follow for home-buying strategies that go beyond the purchase price.

SELF-EMPLOYED? YOUR TAX RETURN DOESN’T ALWAYS TELL THE WHOLE STORY.One of the biggest challenges for business owners is ...
09/09/2026

SELF-EMPLOYED? YOUR TAX RETURN DOESN’T ALWAYS TELL THE WHOLE STORY.

One of the biggest challenges for business owners is that the same tax strategy that helps reduce taxable income can also make qualifying for a mortgage more complicated.

But your tax return may not be the only way to evaluate your income.

Depending on your situation, we may be able to look at:

• Eligible business expenses that can be added back to income

• Business or personal bank statement deposits

• Other alternative income documentation programs

The right option depends on how your business is structured, how you earn your income, and what you're trying to accomplish.

That’s why I recommend reviewing the financing strategy before you start shopping for a home.

Follow for more home financing strategies that go beyond the basics.

09/07/2026

Some homeowners may be able to buy their next home without selling the one they already own.

But new Fannie Mae guidelines could make that strategy more difficult for some borrowers.

The good news? Fannie Mae isn't the only option.

For Realtors, this is a great reason to revisit past clients who want to move but don't necessarily want to give up their current home.

Sometimes the opportunity isn't sell and buy. It's move up and keep the property.

Follow for weekly market insights, financing strategies, and ideas to help your clients make smarter real estate decisions.

One of my favorite memories from Bangkok.Criselda and I got completely lost trying to find this temple, and somewhere al...
09/04/2026

One of my favorite memories from Bangkok.

Criselda and I got completely lost trying to find this temple, and somewhere along the way the rain started pouring. We were soaked, had no idea where we were going, and apparently getting there was going to be part of the adventure. 😂

Bangkok, Thailand | October 2024

Thinking about keeping your current home as a rental when you buy the next one? A Fannie Mae guideline change could affe...
09/04/2026

Thinking about keeping your current home as a rental when you buy the next one? A Fannie Mae guideline change could affect your financing strategy.

Effective November 1, Fannie Mae is changing how rental income can be documented when converting a departing residence into an investment property.

Under the new guideline, a newly executed lease agreement can no longer be used by itself to establish market rent. Instead, an appraisal-based rent schedule, such as Form 1007, may be needed.

That can be an advantage or a disadvantage.

A homeowner may no longer need to have a tenant lined up before purchasing their next home. But if the appraiser's market rent comes in lower than expected, it could reduce the rental income available for qualifying.

For Realtors, this is where the financing strategy matters.

If the Fannie Mae calculation creates a qualifying issue, that doesn't necessarily mean the buyer can't keep their current home. There may be alternative conventional financing options we can explore with different guidelines.

This is where having a Certified Mortgage Advisor as part of your lending team can make a difference. I can help you evaluate the financing options early, identify potential obstacles, and structure the loan around your client's overall strategy.

Follow for mortgage strategies and guideline updates that can help you structure stronger deals.

Getting pre-approved tells you how much financing may be available.It doesn’t tell you how much you should spend.Those a...
09/02/2026

Getting pre-approved tells you how much financing may be available.

It doesn’t tell you how much you should spend.

Those are two different numbers.

Before you start shopping, I like to establish three price points:

Comfortable: A payment and cash requirement that leaves plenty of breathing room.

Target: The range that balances the home you want with the financial position you want to maintain.

Maximum: The upper end of what you can qualify for if the right opportunity makes stretching worthwhile.

Now you have a strategy.

Instead of asking, “Can I afford this house?” every time you find one you like, you already know where it fits within your plan.

Your maximum approval is the ceiling. It doesn’t have to become your shopping budget.

Follow me for weekly homebuying strategies and mortgage insights.

0% down is one of the biggest benefits of a VA loan.But that doesn’t automatically mean putting $0 down is the best stra...
09/02/2026

0% down is one of the biggest benefits of a VA loan.

But that doesn’t automatically mean putting $0 down is the best strategy.

When I work with VA buyers, I’d rather start with a different question:

What puts you in the strongest financial position after closing?

For one buyer, that may mean using the VA benefit to purchase with no down payment and keeping more money in reserves.

For another, it could mean using some cash to lower the loan amount, reduce other debt, or structure a stronger offer.

Seller credits can change the equation too.

There isn’t one strategy that works for every VA buyer.

Before making an offer, compare the options and understand what each one does to your payment, cash to close, and reserves.

The VA loan is the benefit. How you use it is the strategy.

Follow me for weekly homebuying strategies and mortgage insights.

The market doesn't reward the agents who wait. It rewards the agents who adapt.The Realtors winning today aren't waiting...
07/30/2026

The market doesn't reward the agents who wait. It rewards the agents who adapt.

The Realtors winning today aren't waiting for rates to improve. They're helping buyers move forward with the right strategy.

They're helping buyers improve affordability by combining smart negotiation with financing strategy.

That might mean:

✅ Negotiating seller-paid closing costs

✅ Structuring a seller-paid payment subsidy

✅ Comparing monthly payment instead of purchase price

✅ Exploring financing options that better fit the buyer's goals

The buyers who succeed in today's market usually don't have perfect timing. They have a better strategy.

If you have a buyer who needs creative affordability solutions, I'm always happy to run through the numbers with you.

Follow me for weekly mortgage strategies and insights.

Will you have enough cash after closing?Most buyers spend a lot of time thinking about how much they need to buy a home....
07/29/2026

Will you have enough cash after closing?

Most buyers spend a lot of time thinking about how much they need to buy a home.

Far fewer think about how much they'll have left once they own it.

Before deciding how much to put down, compare how much cash you'll still have after closing. Those reserves can make a big difference when it comes to moving expenses, unexpected repairs, maintenance, furnishing your home, or simply having financial flexibility.

Here's the question I encourage every buyer to ask:

Would putting a little less down leave me in a stronger overall financial position?

Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it's no.

The right strategy depends on your goals, which is why I like to compare multiple financing scenarios before my clients make an offer.

Buying a home isn't just about getting approved. It's about making a financial decision you'll feel good about long after closing.

Follow me for weekly homebuying strategies and mortgage insights.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from physicians is:"I'll have to wait until my student loans are paid off befor...
07/29/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from physicians is:

"I'll have to wait until my student loans are paid off before I can buy a home."

In many cases, that's simply not true.

Some physician loan programs are designed with medical professionals in mind and may offer advantages over traditional financing, including:

✅ Little or no down payment on eligible loans

✅ No monthly mortgage insurance on many loans

✅ Qualification using an employment contract before your start date

✅ Flexible treatment of student loan debt compared to some traditional mortgage options

Every situation is different, but don't assume your student loans automatically disqualify you from buying a home.

If you're a physician planning to purchase a home, I'd be happy to help you explore your options and see what may be available.

Follow me for weekly homebuying strategies and mortgage insights.

Address

210 Traffic Way Suite F
Arroyo Grande, CA
93420

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+18058664416

Website

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