Hi and welcome!
Whether you’re just starting to think about buying a home or you’re further along, you’re in the right place. This page will help you get a feel for the road ahead. Have a look around, and when you’re ready, let’s talk. 🙂
Just thinking about buying?
Let’s explore what’s required, talk through your options, and create a roadmap you can follow at your own pace.
Getting ready to shop?
Let’s line up the numbers, get you pre-approved, and set you up to shop with clarity and confidence.
Ready to write an offer?
Let’s move quickly and thoughtfully—pairing the right loan with a smart offer strategy so you can put your best foot forward and secure an accepted offer.
What comes next?
Schedule a call
Typical call length: 15 to 30 minutes
Let’s start with a conversation to get to know each other, answer any questions, and talk about what brought you here—and where you hope to go.
What’s on your mind?
Typical time to complete form: 5 to 10 minutes
After scheduling, we’ll share a few questions to help us understand your goals and surface any questions you have. It’s a conversation starter, in form form.
Gather information
Typical time to complete application: 10 to 20 minutes
(Taking longer? You may be trying too hard—ballpark info is a-okay.)
Next, we’ll gather some financial information. Choose your own adventure: you can hop on a call with us or use the secure link below. Best guesses are welcome—we start in sandbox mode.
Document details
Typical time to gather and share: 5 to an hour (Less if fully digital, more if your finances are complex.)
We’ll create a personalized checklist of supporting information needed to find the right loan options and issue a solid pre-approval you and sellers can count on.
Review options
Typical virtual meeting length: 30 to an hour
With all the pieces in place, we’ll talk through loan options and numbers—answering questions, weighing tradeoffs—looking for the loan that best supports your goals.
You’re pre-approved!
Typical timeline: as long as it takes to find The One 🦄
With a pre-approval you can bank on, numbers that fit your goals, and our unwavering support, you’re ready to shop—and put your best foot forward.
Just so you know…
What this process does mean:
✅ You’ll have a clear plan and next steps
✅ You’ll understand your options
✅ You can move forward at a pace that feels right
What this process does mean:
❌ You’re obligated to buy
❌ You’re locking a rate or other loan details
❌ You’re committing to a loan or a purchase
Let’s talk about credit checks…
We always start with a soft credit check, which is free and does not affect your credit score. We’ll run a hard credit later in the process, but only with your knowledge and okay.
Okay…not really.
The Workshop Team is led by Julee Felsman, with 30+ years of lending experience. Collectively, we bring over 150 years of experience to our work.
(So, if we were one person, we would have been in business in 1875.)
Having Rendered Faithful Service to More Than Seven Thousand Households—You Are Cordially Invited to Be Among Them.
Google reviews…
We love our clients — they are the best part of what we do and we feel lucky to have helped so many families get into their dream home.
FAQ: Common mortgage questions
If you’re on this page, chances are a few questions are already on your mind. These are some of the most common questions we hear as folks start thinking about a home purchase and talking with a lender.
Is it too early to talk to a lender?
Short answer: No. (Pretty much never!)
If you’re thinking about buying—whether that’s soon or someday—a conversation can help you understand what’s possible and how to lay the groundwork. You don’t need to be “ready” to start the conversation; sometimes the conversation helps define what “ready” looks like.
What happens on the first call?
We’ll talk about what brought you here, your goals, and any questions you have so far. Think of it as a private AMA with a mortgage expert.
We’ll talk about what brought you here, your goals, and any questions you have so far. Think of it as a private AMA with a mortgage expert. We’ll focus on giving you clear, helpful information, including demystifying anything that feels fuzzy.
It’s also a two-way conversation. Are we communicating well? Do you feel comfortable asking questions—and are the answers clear? Buying a home is a big deal, and the decisions along the way matter. This first call lays the foundation for a successful working relationship.
We won’t wrap up without outlining next steps that make sense based on your timing and goals.
Do I have to apply or share financial information right away?
Not unless you want to!
Some of our clients choose to start gathering information right away, while others prefer to talk before kicking off the paperwork. We’ll always move forward on your timeline.
The only time we’ll nudge you to move faster is if you’ve told us you’re aiming to make an offer on a short deadline.
What if I’m not sure I qualify—or I’m just curious and exploring?
That’s completely normal. You don’t need certainty or answers to start the conversation—answers are outcomes, not prerequisites.
We’re here to help you understand your options and set a course that supports your goals.
Is there any up-front fee?
Nope. There’s no cost to talk, to get help with planning, or to get pre-approved using a soft credit check.
In some situations, we may need a hard credit check to issue a pre-approval ($35 per person). If that’s the case, we’ll explain why and get your okay before moving forward.
Will this lock me into anything?
Absolutely not. Scheduling a call doesn’t commit you to a loan, a rate, or a purchase. Even if things move beyond an initial conversation, you’re never obligated to a lender.