Jonah Bank - Katie Coonts NMLS #893040

Jonah Bank - Katie Coonts NMLS #893040 Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS #893040 | Jonah Bank of Wyoming NMLS # 313969: Competitive rates, honest advice. Equal Housing Lender. Borrowers must qualify.

Integrity, real commitment, Code of the West values. Member FDIC. | 205 Storey Blvd, Cheyenne | 307-773-7813 Katie Coonts
Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS: # 893040
Experience matters, and I know what truly counts for clients. At Jonah Bank of Wyoming, we offer competitive rates and fees, but more importantly, we stand by values you can trust—integrity, honesty, and putting your needs first. Our comm

itment to the Code of the West is more than just words; it shapes everything we do. That’s why I joined Jonah Bank, a team that shares my principles and puts people above profit. Your mortgage isn’t just a transaction—it’s personal, and it’s a foundation for your future. My promise is to make your purchase or refinance process smooth, honest, and fair, and to remain committed to you long after closing.

©2006 Jonah Bank of Wyoming. All Rights Reserved. | Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC | NMLS ID #313969. For licensing information, go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Find us and apply online at jonah.bank | Office Address: 205 Storey Blvd. Cheyenne WY 82009 | 307-773-7813
Wyoming State Chartered Bank | FDIC insured | The content in this advertisement is for informational purposes only. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. Program guidelines are subject to change without notice. Loans not available in all states. Jonah Bank of Wyoming is not acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD, FHA, VA, or any federal or state government agency.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the mortgage world is that every pre-approval letter means the same thing.It doesn'...
09/07/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions in the mortgage world is that every pre-approval letter means the same thing.
It doesn't.
Some lenders issue a pre-approval based on a conversation and an application.
Others verify income, review assets, pull credit, and analyze the details before issuing that letter.
That's why one buyer can make it all the way to closing with very few surprises, while another discovers problems after they're already under contract.
The difference usually isn't luck. It's how much work was done upfront. The strongest buyers don't just have a piece of paper.

The best mortgage process is usually the one that feels boring.
No surprises. No scrambling. No last-minute panic.

Just a clear plan and a smooth path to closing.
That's why the strongest offers often start long before the house search begins.

"But Zillow says my house is worth ..." I hear this a lot … And while Zillow can be a useful tool, it's important to und...
09/02/2026

"But Zillow says my house is worth ..." I hear this a lot … And while Zillow can be a useful tool, it's important to understand what it is ... and what it isn't.

A Zestimate is exactly what the name implies: An estimate.
It's generated by an algorithm using available data and market trends.

An appraisal is different. An appraiser physically evaluates the property and analyzes:
· Recent comparable sales
· Property condition
· Features and upgrades
· Local market trends
· Neighborhood factors
No algorithm can walk through a home. No algorithm can see a remodeled kitchen, deferred maintenance, unique features, or the condition of neighboring properties.

That's why Zillow values can sometimes be surprisingly close ... And sometimes be significantly off. Neither is necessarily "wrong." They're simply serving different purposes.

When it comes to a mortgage, the appraisal plays an important role, because it's designed to provide an independent opinion of value based on current market evidence.

So, if Zillow's number doesn't match the appraisal, don't panic. It's actually more common than you might think. The real estate market is part science and part art, and local expertise still matters.

Thinking about buying, selling, or refinancing?
Let's talk about what really impacts your home's value and what numbers matter most for your situation.

"My payment went up... Why?" Many homeowners are not educated before closing properly... Each year you should plan for t...
08/31/2026

"My payment went up... Why?" Many homeowners are not educated before closing properly... Each year you should plan for the cost of your insurance and your property taxes to adjust, and generally, not in your favor.
Counties reassess properties annually. Exemptions come and go. Property values change. Insurance costs adjust because of claims within the area (not necessarily your claims). Cost of repair supplies increased. Your property value increased and thus, the cost to insurance that higher value increases…
Part of my job is helping buyers understand and plan for these changes. I never want my clients surprised after closing.

I've never been a believer in some magical morning routine that suddenly changes your life. But I do believe this: How y...
08/28/2026

I've never been a believer in some magical morning routine that suddenly changes your life. But I do believe this: How you begin your day often becomes how you experience your day.

When I have mornings where I'm rushing, reacting, and immediately reaching for my phone, the rest of the day tends to feel like I'm catching up.

When I slow down—even for a few minutes—I make better decisions. I listen better.
I have more patience. I show up differently for the people around me.

The older I get, the more I realize success isn't usually built from one big decision.
It's built from hundreds of small ones. Getting up a little earlier. Taking a moment to be grateful. Sitting quietly before the world starts demanding your attention.

Choosing your priorities before someone else chooses them for you. None of those things seem dramatic. But neither is compound interest.

Small things done consistently have a way of changing everything. If you're feeling overwhelmed, maybe the answer isn't working harder.

Maybe it's giving yourself a better start.

One of the smartest things a buyer can do is avoid spending every last dollar on closing day. Owning a home means you're...
08/26/2026

One of the smartest things a buyer can do is avoid spending every last dollar on closing day. Owning a home means you're now responsible for the things a landlord used to handle.

Water heaters fail. Appliances quit. Garage door springs snap. HVAC systems pick the hottest or coldest day of the year to act up.

That's normal. The difference between a stressful repair and a manageable repair is often a savings account.

Buying the home is a milestone. Being financially prepared to own it is what helps you enjoy it.

A home emergency fund isn't pessimistic. It's practical.

I wish I could count how many times I've heard: "Uh oh... it's with the underwriter now." As if the file just got handed...
08/24/2026

I wish I could count how many times I've heard: "Uh oh... it's with the underwriter now." As if the file just got handed to some mysterious person whose sole purpose is crushing dreams.
The reality is much less dramatic. An underwriter is the fact-checker of the mortgage world. They're reviewing the information I provided and making sure everything supports the approval being requested.
They are simply protecting everyone involved—buyers, lenders, investors, and even the housing market itself. The best underwriting outcome isn't when an underwriter finds nothing.
It's when the story already makes sense because the work was done right up front!!! That's why I spend so much time asking questions early. I'd rather find an issue before we're under contract than three days before closing.

The most magnetic people in the room usually are not the loudest, the funniest, or the ones trying the hardest to sound ...
08/21/2026

The most magnetic people in the room usually are not the loudest, the funniest, or the ones trying the hardest to sound interesting.

They are the ones who make you feel interesting. They listen like your story matters.
They ask the next question instead of waiting for their turn to talk. They do not make every conversation about themselves. They let people finish their thought. They remember the little things.

That kind of presence is rare. And I think people can feel the difference.
Whether it is a friendship, a business relationship, a difficult conversation, or sitting across from someone trying to make one of the biggest financial decisions of their life — people do not just need information.

They need to feel understood. They need someone who is paying attention.
They need someone who is not performing trustworthiness but actually being trustworthy.

I do not think great conversations are built on perfect words. I think they are built on curiosity, humility, and enough care to slow down and really hear the person in front of you.

And honestly, that is the kind of person I want to be. Not the most impressive person in the room. The one people feel safe talking to. The one who listens well enough that people walk away feeling a little more seen than they did before.

That matters.

Every homeowner learns this lesson eventually. For six months, everything works perfectly. Then one Saturday morning tur...
08/19/2026

Every homeowner learns this lesson eventually. For six months, everything works perfectly. Then one Saturday morning turns into:

✅ Water heater issue
✅ Garage door problem
✅ Appliance repair
✅ Unexpected trip to the hardware store

There's probably a scientific explanation for why these things seem to happen all at once. I haven't found it yet. What I do know is that homeownership gets a lot less stressful when you expect repairs to happen eventually instead of being surprised when they do.

The good news? Most problems are fixable.
The better news? The longer you own a home, the more confident you become handling the surprises.

Because if homeownership teaches you anything, it's that YouTube and a trip to the hardware can solve a shocking number of problems.

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of buying a home. People assume lenders ask for bank statements because we'r...
08/17/2026

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of buying a home. People assume lenders ask for bank statements because we're judging how they spend money. Honestly, I couldn't care less how many coffees you bought last month.
What I'm looking for is much simpler: can we document where the funds for the transaction are coming from? If a loan file says a borrower has money available for the down payment and closing costs, I have to be able to prove it.
Why do lenders ask about large deposits? Because we're required to document the source of the money. Think about these examples:
Borrower saved $10,000 over two years. You have two years of consistent savings. This tells the lender you've lived within your means, managed your finances responsibly, and built reserves over time. The money didn't just appear—you earned it, saved it, and still have it available today.
Borrower received $10,000 as a gift from parents. The money is real, but it wasn't accumulated by the borrower. Someone else is contributing to the transaction. That's not necessarily a problem—we just need to document who provided the funds and confirm there is no expectation of repayment.
Borrower borrowed $10,000 from a friend. Now the borrower's financial picture may be different than it appears. On paper, they have an extra $10,000 in the bank, but they may also have a $10,000 obligation that isn't showing up elsewhere. The lender needs to know whether the borrower truly has more assets or simply has more debt.
Borrower received $10,000 from selling a vehicle. This isn't new wealth or outside assistance. The borrower exchanged one asset for another. Yesterday they owned a vehicle worth $10,000. Today they have $10,000 in cash. The lender simply needs to verify that's what happened.
The account balance looks identical in all four cases. But the credit risk shifts with each case.
And mortgage lending is really about understanding the borrower's true financial position.

One of the best things I've read recently was this Psychology Today article:"The Quiet War on Your Happiness—and How to ...
08/14/2026

One of the best things I've read recently was this Psychology Today article:
"The Quiet War on Your Happiness—and How to Win It"

It made me think about how rarely happiness disappears because of one major event. More often, it gets chipped away.

The world is very good at competing for our attention. The challenge is being intentional about where we give it.

The people we love. The conversations that matter. The moments we'll actually remember.
I've found that when life feels overwhelming, the answer usually isn't adding something new. It's returning to what mattered in the first place.

Address

205 Storey Boulevard
Cheyenne, WY
82009

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13077737813

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Jonah Bank - Katie Coonts NMLS #893040 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Jonah Bank - Katie Coonts NMLS #893040:

Shortcuts

Share