Derick Johnson - Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

10/14/2026

Before closing, avoid making changes like:

Financing or leasing a new car
Opening a new credit card
Financing furniture or appliances
Making large purchases on your cards
Changing jobs without talking to your lender
Moving around large amounts of money without asking first

Why? Your lender may check parts of your financial picture again before closing. New debt or other major changes could affect your qualification or create last-minute questions. Even if you’ve been told you’re clear to close, play it safe until the home is officially yours and the loan has funded.

And remember, every loan and situation is different. When in doubt, send me a message BEFORE you do it. Trust me… the new car can wait.

10/05/2026

I hear this ALL the time:

“I’m waiting for interest rates to drop.” 👀
And maybe waiting IS the right move for you. But before you decide, let’s figure out what buying would actually look like with YOUR numbers. Because the interest rate is only ONE part of your monthly payment.

We also have to look at things like:

🏡 Home price
💰 Down payment
📋 Loan program
💵 Taxes and insurance
🤝 Possible seller credits
📆 How long you plan to own the home

You might run the numbers and realize buying now could work for you. Or you might realize waiting makes more sense. Both are okay.
The important part is making that decision based on YOUR finances — not just something you heard online or saw in a headline.

And remember, these aren’t one-size-fits-all numbers. Rates, programs, guidelines, and costs can change, and everyone’s situation is different. That’s why we talk through your situation and figure out what makes sense for YOU.

Reach out to me at 254-394-2863 if you want to see what buying could look like with your numbers.

10/05/2026

🚨 Attention Realtors 🚨

It's that time again! We are hosting a property tour this Thursday, October 8th, starting at 8:45am from our office. We would love to have you! This is a great opportunity to get some more exposure on your listing, and receive great feedback from other realtors!

If you don't have a property but would like to join the tour to help provide feedback or possibly find a property matching the needs of one of you buyer clients, we would love to have you join as well!

Reach out to me directly at 254-394-2863 if you have any questions or if you need me to help get you signed up. Can't wait to hear from you!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/property-tours-of-killeen-tickets-1411183240059?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawUwrGlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMU1SU1BJRXFocDJQOTFITFVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeC53-UK1PG5n96mAcW2iHEPoyF1RZrt7THfkd8hKFIWfmdz9ykBd4xeTUr2s_aem_jlLdZj9F87mjWmpJsVZnrg

Join The Wood Group of Fairway and other real estate professionals for breakfast and a tour of local Central Texas properties!

10/02/2026

You might be closer to buying a home than you think. But like many people, you don’t even reach out to a mortgage lender and ask because you tell yourself:

“I need to wait for rates to drop.”
“I need 20% down.”
“My credit isn’t good enough.”
“I was denied before, so I’ll probably be denied again.”
“I need to get all my finances figured out first.”

But here’s the thing… You don’t need to have everything figured out BEFORE you talk to a lender. That’s what the first conversation is for. You can ask questions, look at your options, and find out what you may need to work on. It costs nothing to take a look at things, and the soft credit review that is done does not impact your credit scores in any way.

Maybe you’re ready now.
Maybe you need a little more time.
Either way, you’ll have a plan instead of guessing.

Loan programs, guidelines, and requirements can change, and everyone’s financial situation is different. What’s available to you will depend on your individual circumstances.

📩 Send me a message and let’s look at your situation together.

09/30/2026

No more wondering what your rent will be when the lease is up.

One reason people love the idea of owning a home?
More control over where you live.

No lease renewal.
No landlord deciding to sell.
No surprise rent increase telling you it’s time to reconsider your budget.

Of course, owning a home comes with its own costs and responsibilities too. But if you’re tired of renting and wondering if buying could make sense for YOU, it might be time to run the numbers.

📩 Send me a message and let’s see what your options look like!

09/25/2026

Thinking about buying a home?

Starting September 28th, Fairway's new Home Budget Booster program can help make your first year of homeownership more affordable with a reduced mortgage rate for the entire first year of your loan.

That means lower monthly payments when you need it most, giving you more room in your budget for moving expenses, furniture, appliances, home improvements, and all the little things that come with settling into your new home.

If you've been waiting for the right time to buy, this may be the opportunity you've been looking for.

📩 Send me a text at 254-394-2863 to learn more and see if you qualify before applications close!

09/23/2026

I’ve got good news…

We can fix that. ⚡🏡😂

If you’ve lost the excitement to buy a home, you’re not alone.
Maybe interest rates have you worried. Maybe you’re not sure if now is the right time. Or maybe buying a home just feels like too much right now.

Before you give up, let’s look at your options. Sometimes a different plan can make buying a home feel possible again.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Let’s get that spark back. ✨🏡

📩 Send me a message and let’s talk about what buying could look like for you.

Also, who knew lil Hasbulla was so versatile 😅

09/18/2026

This one hurts a little 😅

When you’re self-employed, the income you show on your taxes matters, not just what you make in real life.

Writing everything off can lower your tax bill…
…but it can also limit your buying power when it’s time to get a mortgage.

This is why planning before you’re house hunting makes such a difference.
If you’re self-employed and considering buying, I'd be happy to discuss what lenders actually look at.

09/16/2026

This is why lenders ask questions.
Large cash deposits have to be sourced and verified

No paper trail = delays.

How to avoid it:
✔️ Keep funds in the bank
✔️ Don’t move money around mid-process
✔️ Ask before depositing

Simple steps. Smoother closings. 🏡