We’re looking forward to introducing you to Christian Johnson. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Christian, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
My proudest moment isn’t tied to a specific financial milestone or award. The truth is, it’s the relationships I’ve been fortunate enough to build. Early on, I learned that this job is about far more than just a mortgage. When clients or friends let you into their financial world, they are giving you the chance to make a real difference—not just professionally, but personally. That access creates a lifelong bond. I’m now at a point in my career where I’m deeply thankful for those who allowed me in, and I’m secretly most proud of the long-term, positive effect I’ve had. Seeing a client’s life, career, and overall wellness improve because of the financial foundation we built together—that’s the quiet success that matters most to me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Christian Johnson, and I’m a mortgage advisor with RATE. My job is to finance homes, but what I truly do is provide strategic clarity.
Unlike the transactional industry norm, my approach is that of a financial planner. I don’t just process paperwork; I start by listening to a client’s broader financial and life goals. By understanding that full picture, we can best leverage the home—often their single largest asset—as a core component of their personal growth model.
I focus on structuring the right foundation for the long term, whether you’re buying in the fast-paced markets of Dallas and Austin or the distinct communities of Santa Fe and Taos. It ensures the mortgage we close today serves their ambitions for decades.
My current work is focused on making that strategic process even more clear and understandable, because a confident decision is always the best one.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was a kid, I wholeheartedly believed I was going to be the next Larry Bird. I loved watching him play for the Celtics, and the goal was simple: grow to be 6’5″ and play in the NBA. Unfortunately, I peaked at 5’10” and, frankly, was not very good at basketball – sorry Dad. The biggest change in my life is accepting that my biggest contribution wouldn’t be on the court. Now, I focus on the strategic plays that matter most to people—the financial foundation of their home—and I think I have a lot more genuine impact here than I ever would have as a reserve guard.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Early in my career, I changed my mind about the very definition of success in this industry. When you start out, it’s easy to believe that the key metric is transactional volume—how many loans you close this month. I used to subscribe to that aggressive, numbers-driven approach.
I realized I was wrong when I started truly listening to the long-term goals of clients, particularly those who were repeat buyers. Their greatest financial challenges weren’t solved by the fastest, simplest loan, but by the one that optimized their net worth five or ten years down the road.
The change was moving from focusing on the closing table to focusing on the client’s retirement picture. It completely redefined my practice. I changed my mind about what a mortgage advisor is—we aren’t processors; we are long-term financial strategists.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The idea I rely on most isn’t an investment philosophy or a business model; it’s a moral imperative from John Wesley:
‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.’
I keep that quote top of mind because it demands an all-in commitment. It eliminates the excuses for holding back effort or expertise. For me, that means going beyond the standard transaction and making sure I’m using all the means—my knowledge, my network, my firm’s technology—to do the most good for a client’s entire financial life, not just for a single closing. It’s the highest standard of service I know, and it’s the philosophy that truly guides my approach
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, what my clients would miss most is the strategic guide—the person who insisted on looking past the closing date. And I really think that’s an industry-wide problem, not just specific to me.
Frankly, the transactional-focused side of this business is going to be replaced by online platforms and AI. If the client and the provider both view this as a quick transaction, then that is all it will ever be, and countless opportunities to leverage their home for genuine financial growth are lost.
What the industry desperately needs, and what my clients rely on, is the financial planning approach. The best trips I’ve ever taken are the ones where I had a knowledgeable guide who understood the terrain and my ultimate goal. The same principle applies to financial decisions.
My clients would miss having that experienced, human advisor who actually listens to their long-term goals and custom-builds a mortgage structure to serve them for decades. They would miss the clarity and the long-term perspective that technology simply cannot replicate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rate.com/loan-officers/christian-johnson-552551
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeloansbychristian/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianjohnsonmortgage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christianjohnsonhomeloans/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianCJohnson
Image Credits
Meshali Mitchell
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