Char Johanson, Loan Officer, NMLS: 257674

10/20/2026

Found your next home before your current one has sold? A Franklin Bridge Loan lets you tap the equity in your current home now, so you can make a stronger, non-contingent offer on your next one.

Three ways to bridge:
• Stand-Alone: use your current home's equity, even if another lender finances your purchase
• Cross-Collateralized: secured by both homes and funded alongside your Franklin purchase loan
• Bank Statement: for self-employed borrowers who qualify with 12 months of bank statements

Loan amounts from $100K to $1M.

Homeowners and real estate agents: reach out to see which Bridge Loan Program fits your move.

10/01/2026

Sellers paid concessions in 44.7% of U.S. home sales in August, the highest August share since at least 2020. It happened in the strongest buyer's market in Redfin's records, which go back to 2013.

For buyers, this is good news with a catch: most don't know how to use it.

Concessions are capped by loan type, so if a buyer asks for too much, the extra goes unused. If the credit goes to the wrong thing, the payment barely moves. If it goes to a rate buydown, whether a temporary or permanent buydown, it can lower the monthly payment.

Leverage is only worth something if you use it well. In this market, smart buyers negotiate the payment, not the price.

Source: www.redfin.com/news/home-seller-concessions-august-2026/

09/25/2026

Everyone wants to wait for a buyer’s market—until it’s a buyer’s market.

Higher interest rates are a real challenge. But when homes sit longer and sellers are more willing to negotiate, buyers may have opportunities to ask for closing cost help, a rate buydown, repairs, or a better price.

If you’re thinking about buying, let’s run the numbers and build a strategy before you start shopping.

09/24/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Charlene Rene Johanson by Lucia C - Char was absolutely amazing! She took the time to explain every little detail and then some. We were anxious first time home buyers and she made it easy to understand and worked hard to get us the best possible outcome for us.

Click to see all 64 reviews of Char Johanson at Franklin Loan Center, Loan Officer

09/16/2026

💡 Did you know?

If you buy a home with cash, you may not have to leave all that cash in the property.

Just funded an $800,000 Delayed Financing Refinance for clients who purchased their Santa Cruz home with cash and then leveraged the property to regain liquidity.

Smart strategy. Strong offer. More flexibility.

09/04/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Charlene Rene Johanson by Frances E G - Charlene was super knowledgeable, and did everything to make the process easier for me. Kept me up to date on anything I needed to do or how the processs was going. She's also very nice! She really worked well with my real estate broker to make the timing on everything work out. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for home loan financing.

Click to see all 62 reviews of Char Johanson at Franklin Loan Center, Loan Officer

08/29/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Charlene Rene Johanson by Linda B - “I cannot say enough wonderful things about Char’s performance as a lender. She consistently goes above and beyond to meet timelines, and her communication with both me and my clients is truly unmatched. She is responsive, professional, and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Char to anyone looking for an exceptional lending partner.”

08/23/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Charlene Rene Johanson by Elizabeth S A - Char is always organized and takes care of business in a timeley manner. She listens to the needs of her clients and finds the correct lending match. I have worked with Char personally and professionally and she is by far one of the best mortgage professionals I have worked with!

Click to see all 59 reviews of Char Johanson at Franklin Loan Center, Loan Officer

08/14/2026

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Charlene Rene Johanson by Richard W - Char said she could do tricky loan...and she did...with ease. Way to go Char!! I be back!

Click to see all 58 reviews of Char Johanson at Franklin Loan Center, Loan Officer

08/13/2026

https://www.experience.com/reviews/charlene-rene-johanson-431788/053a990b-2fbb-42c3-a9eb-8c6acb679247

Click to see all 58 reviews of Char Johanson at Franklin Loan Center, Loan Officer