Stephanie Johnstone - Loan Originator - NMLS #920930

06/08/2026

Happy National BFF Day! 💕

Maybe that’s why I love being a lender.

I get to be the friend who helps you figure out:
🏡 Can I buy?
💰 What can I afford?
📋 What happens next?
🔑 How do I get the keys?

No pressure. No judgment. Just honest answers and a plan.

Your BFL:
Best Friend Lender,
First Step Step

06/05/2026

Today’s mortgage work wasn’t very Instagram-worthy.

No keys.
No closing photos.
No exciting rate headlines.

Instead, it looked like updating hundreds of contact records, researching agent information, reviewing an active file, recalculating numbers for a buyer, and preparing for a consultation.

Most of the work that helps transactions go smoothly happens long before an offer is written.

The phone calls.
The follow-up.
The planning.
The organization.

It’s not always the visible part of the job, but it’s often the most important.

That’s what today looked like.

06/03/2026

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming.

There are a lot of moving parts, unfamiliar terms, and big decisions along the way.

My goal is simple: make sure my clients understand their options, feel confident in their decisions, and never feel like they’re navigating the process alone.

Thank you, Hang, for trusting me to help with such an important milestone. Congratulations on your first home! 🏡

Thinking about buying but not sure where to start? Send me a message and let’s talk through your options.

HomeLoans Homeownership

06/01/2026

Some of the best home upgrades aren’t the flashiest — they’re the affordable DIY projects that make your home function better for your actual everyday life. Enter my current closet organization project: still not 100% finished… but already SO much more functional. 😂✨

A few things I learned during this process:

• Matching hangers really do save space (and somehow make you feel like a more put-together adult 😂)

• Corners become dead space FAST unless you intentionally create zones or add shelving

• Use your vertical space! We ended up removing the original wire shelf setup so we could create room for double hanging sections instead

• 10/10 recommend using ChatGPT to help brainstorm closet layouts before tearing everything apart 😂

Honestly, I underestimated how much a more organized space could make everyday life feel calmer and easier.

Now tell me:
What closet organization hacks have you learned and started implementing in your own space?

05/28/2026

Mortgage rates may be making headlines again this week… but headlines rarely tell the full story. 🏡✨

For a limited time, eligible buyers may be able to get a payment based on an interest rate that’s 1% lower for the first year of their mortgage through a FREE 1-0 buydown program.

That could mean:
✔ lower monthly payments early on
✔ more flexibility while settling into a new home
✔ improved affordability in today’s market

This won’t be the right fit for everyone, but for the right buyer, it can make a meaningful difference.

Want to see what the payment difference could look like for your situation?
Comment “BUYDOWN” or send me a DM and I’ll break it down for you.

Your first step? Call Steph. 💕

05/21/2026

Another successful closing in West Sacramento 🎉

This one was especially meaningful because I’ve been working with these first-time buyers for nearly 2 years preparing for this moment. From early planning conversations to finally getting keys in hand, it was incredibly rewarding to help guide them all the way to the finish line.

Smooth closings like this happen when everyone involved is communicative, collaborative, and solution-oriented from start to finish.

Huge congratulations to our buyers on their new home, and a big thank you to and .info for being wonderful to work alongside throughout the process. Truly appreciate the professionalism, communication, and teamwork from both sides.

We closed on schedule, kept things moving, and most importantly helped get very deserving buyers into their first home — exactly how it should be. 🏡

Grateful for great clients, strong partnerships, and another successful closing in the books.

05/15/2026

FREE 1-0 buydown program = we pay for your mortgage payment to be a full percentage point lower for your first year of homeownership.

That could mean:
✔ lower monthly payments early on
✔ more flexibility while settling into a new home
✔ improved affordability for qualified buyers

This strategy won’t be the right fit for everyone, but for the right buyer, it can make a meaningful difference.

Curious what the payment difference could actually look like for your situation?

Send me a DM or comment “BUYDOWN” and I’ll walk you through it.

Your first step? Call Steph. 💕

05/14/2026

Apparently organizing ducks is excellent mortgage training 🦆😂

But honestly… buying a home does feel a little like trying to get a bunch of ducks in a row sometimes.

That’s why I walk buyers through the process step by step — from planning to preapproval to closing & beyond — so everything feels a lot less overwhelming and a lot more doable.

Your first step? Call Steph

05/13/2026

👇👇👇

Stop guessing what your clients are thinking. 🤝

Join us and Jon Barnato for a deep dive into the DISC personality styles to help you communicate more effectively and build lasting trust. Whether you’re looking to improve client relationships or increase your conversion rate, this training is designed to give you the strategic edge you need in today's market.

📅 When: Thursday, May 28th | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Where: 3900 Lennane Dr Ste 200, Sacramento, CA
🎙️ Hosted by: Golden Bay Mortgage Group

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-top-realtors-build-trust-faster-win-more-referrals-tickets-1989128583138?aff=oddtdtcreator
Don't miss out on learning the proven techniques top realtors use to win more referrals. See you there!

05/06/2026

A lot of homeowners feel stuck right now.

They don’t necessarily want to move…
but they also don’t want to keep living in a home that no longer works for them.

Sometimes the answer is a HELOC.
Sometimes it’s a refinance.
Sometimes it’s waiting.
And sometimes the smartest move is doing absolutely nothing.

I think homeowners deserve honest conversations and a complete analysis of all options, without bias or pressure.

Because the reality is: there may be more flexibility, equity, and opportunity available to you than you realize.

If you want a second opinion on your situation and what’s available to you in full context, let’s look at the scenario together. I’m just a call, text or DM away 👊