We Pulled it Off!

I hope you are well! I am sure loving this sunshine! I'm a much nicer person with a tan. HAHA.


I would definitely say that the mortgage industry is about the slowest to catch up with the times. Sometimes it feels like a grumpy, curmudgeon grandpa that won't consider anything other than "his way or the highway". I have often let out deep, annoyed sighs when we have had lending limitations on tiny houses, family commune and off grid properties as well as alternative forms of income, even if they were consistent and verifiable. This has made me pull my hair out because people are needing to get creative with housing these days in order to make it affordable! One such income is cannabis growth and distribution.  That has been a hard stop for a long time. Most investors would allow for income from EMPLOYEES of cannabis industry to be included in the debt to income calculation but NEVER would allow for OWNERS of these businesses to use their income for the file. What was even more crazy was that, most of the time, the income was awesome, there had been a long-standing history of receiving it AND an excellent prospect it would continue.

I had a realtor friend of mine approach me with just this such client and I assured him I thought we could find a home for their loan. We are a newer mortgage brokerage and the options for financing have just exploded in front of me. I promised I would find an investor willing to play in the sandbox with cannabis distribution income. I got a few no's but very quickly found interest with one of my favorite non-QM investors. They were VERY interested! We were able to put together a bank statement loan from a very healthy cannabis distribution business!!! It was AMAZING! The client was incredible and super willing to jump through any hoops necessary.


I was completely FLOORED when everything went perfectly! This beautiful little family was able to buy a gorgeous home in Bozeman using income NEVER BEFORE used! They are over the moon excited and so am I! 


What I love so much about being a mortgage broker is all the options. We have investors competing for our business and coming to the table with solutions! No longer are we limited by the same 5 products with their tight little box of requirements! I am a problem solver, I'm really good at manipulating the puzzle pieces until I find a legal and compliant way to make it work! This was a perfect example of that and I'm just smiling ear to ear about it!


If you know folks in the cannabis industry that keep getting the door slammed in their face by other lenders, send them my way! We would love to say YES to them!! 


Hope you have a great week!

Go Back to Blogs
A wooden house with the words `` mortgage rates '' written on it.

Why Your Mortgage Should Fit Like a Custom Suit—Not a One-Size-Fits-Allg

July 25, 2025
When it comes to mortgages, most borrowers don’t realize just how much money—and time—they’re leaving on the table by accepting cookie-cutter loan terms from big banks and retail lenders.
A mortgage approval form with a key and a model house

Mortgage pre‑approval for Montana buyers 2025

June 21, 2025
If you're planning to buy a home in Montana in 2025, mortgage pre‑approval should be your first move. Whether you're searching in Bozeman, Red Lodge, or Billings, getting pre‑approved strengthens your offer, helps define your budget, and speeds up the buying process.

Montana ARM vs 30‑year fixed.

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Montana ARM vs 30‑year fixed.
A pair of keys sitting on top of a wooden sign that says `` refinance your mortgage ''.

Best time to refinance in Montana

June 21, 2025
Refinancing your home in Montana can be a smart financial move, but timing is everything. With interest rates, home values, and personal financial goals all playing a role, choosing the best time to refinance can save you thousands.
A stack of coins sitting next to a calculator on a table.

More Than Just Rate

February 15, 2025
We've been freezing our tails off here in Montana for the last couple of weeks. The cows are getting ready to calve and we all need a thorough thawing out! I hope you have stayed reasonably warm. We have some interesting things to talk about today.
A key with a house keychain on top of a calculator.

How Can I Buy Before I Sell?

January 25, 2025
One of the biggest conundrums facing homebuyers today is how to manage the transition of buying a NEW home with the equity in your current home as down payment. It's quite puzzling and stressful. Imagine, you have found the house of your dreams and you want to put in an offer before anyone else steps in front of you, but you haven't even started the process of listing your home for sale, let alone found a buyer. You could put in an offer on the new home with a Home Sale Contingency, meaning you would have to sell your current home prior to closing on the new home.
A person is holding a model house and a bunch of money.

Triggered

By Wood Team Home Mortgage • January 21, 2025
Are you a fan of solicitors calling your phone trying to sell you something? Me neither. I love hearing from friends, family and folks in business that I KNOW but I am not a fan of companies I don't know calling to sell me something. I think most of my clients feel the same. Am I wrong?
A person is putting houses on top of stacks of coins.

Still the BEST Strategy!

By Wood Team Home Mortgage • January 21, 2025
As we move into another holiday season and a new presidential administration, home buying is still a bit challenging. Buyers are struggling with monthly payment which has been generated by higher prices coupled with higher interest rates. It has made for a conundrum that has been hard to swallow. However, FEAR NOT!
A row of houses with a white picket fence in a residential neighborhood.

WTHM to the RESCUE!

By Wood Team Home Mortgage • January 21, 2025
I hope you can feel the wind down of the year and are preparing for a lovely holiday season ahead. This time of year makes me think about home and how lucky we are to be a small part of a family's journey to get there.
A magnifying glass and two wooden houses are sitting on top of a graph.

But, I thought the FED dropped rates...

By Wood Team Home Mortgage • January 21, 2025
This is going to be a common statement this week. The FED dropped the FED Rate by 50 basis points on the 18th of September. The whole mortgage world was supposed to get better, right? Wrong. When my clients and realtors call me and mention the FED dropping rates and how that is going to make mortgage rates better, I always remind them, while SOMETIMES mortgage rates can mirror the FED rate movement, often they do not. Look what happened over the last few days.