My approach is to spend a significant amount of time getting to know you so that I may custom fit financial solutions to your individual needs. You will find that I am extremely professional, a frequent communicator and I will maintain confidentiality about your transaction. Simply, I will focus all my attention on meeting your needs and your needs alone.  It is important that you know you are working with a person off absolute integrity and ethics. Licensed since 1988 I have been in the top 1 percent of loan agents in the country, and I am fortunate to say that I am one of the few who has funded over 2 billion dollars in loans.   I look forward to the opportunity of working with you.   Sincerely, Craig Thomason Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate

Craig Thomason is a highly experienced mortgage loan officer with over 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry. He is known for his in-depth knowledge of mortgage lending, exceptional customer service, and his ability to help clients find the best loan products to suit their individual needs.


Craig is a graduate of the University of Texas, where he earned his bachelor's degree in finance. He began his career in banking as a personal banker and quickly advanced to become a loan officer. Craig has worked for several leading banks and financial institutions throughout his career, and he has helped thousands of clients achieve their dream of homeownership.


Craig's expertise in mortgage lending includes conventional loans, FHA loans*, and jumbo loans. He takes a consultative approach with each client, taking the time to understand their financial goals and unique circumstances before recommending a loan product. Craig is committed to providing his clients with personalized service, and he works tirelessly to ensure that each loan application is processed efficiently and smoothly.


When he's not working, Craig enjoys spending time with his family, cooking gourmet meals, and riding his bike around Northern California.


*Certainty Home Lending has no affiliation with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the US Department of Agriculture or any other government agency.

VP of Mortgage Lending

Craig Thomason is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Craig is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Craig at (925) 998-3779 for more information!

Craig Thomason at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #482407)

I started my career in lending over 30 years ago.  I never imagined it would take me on such an amazing journey!  Helping clients navigate the mortgage process in an ever changing market brings new challenges every day.  Nothing is more rewarding than getting a family into their new home or helping someone save hundreds of dollars on their monthly payments through the refinancing process*.  I take pride in assisting borrowers makes sense of this complicated process.  Buying a home is one of the largest financial decisions any family will make in their lifetime.  Understanding the challenges and how to solve critical issues is key to a smooth and successful closing.
* Savings, if any, vary based on consumer’s credit profile, interest rate availability, and other factors. Contact Guaranteed Rate, Inc. for current rates. Restrictions apply.

Thank you for considering me to guide you through your home buying journey! At Certainty, we pride ourselves on providing the best customer service and exceeding your expectations of the mortgage process at every turn. From a complimentary pre-qualification through an on-time closing, I will be here to ensure confidence every step of the way.


Helping people realize the dream of homeownership is my passion. My experience and knowledge of the industry allows me to tailor each loan to meet the specific needs of each individual. Everyone's story is different, so no one loan will meet everyone's needs. My job is to find that perfect fit.


Buying a home can be one of the most important investments that we make. I am dedicated to making the process a positive and rewarding experience for you, and I welcome the opportunity to earn your business and your trust. Take the next step toward financing your home by clicking the "Apply Now" button now! You can also give me a call or send me an email to schedule some time to chat. I look forward to helping you finance your home.

Peter Pham is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the United States, Peter is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Peter at (650) 291-5700 for more information!

Peter Pham at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #662170)

Evan brings to Certainty Home Lending over 25 years of sales management and leadership experience in the mortgage industry. He has built, developed and led highly successful teams, as well as produced at a high level himself.


Evan's ability to foster long-term and loyal relationships has been the trademark of his career. He provides an unsurpassed level of service to everyone he encounters and is a respected and trusted visionary leader.


By always having an honest, upfront approach and leading with empathy and integrity Evan has been able to create a following of loyal clients, referral sources, and other industry professionals.


Evan is a graduate of Ohio State University and resides in Highland Park, IL with his wife and three children.

Area Manager

Evan Klee is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Evan is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Evan at (773) 435-0972 for more information!

Evan Klee at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #214299)

Thank you for considering me to guide you through your home buying journey! At Certainty, we pride ourselves on providing the best customer service and exceeding your expectations of the mortgage process at every turn. From a complimentary pre-qualification through an on-time closing, I will be here to ensure confidence every step of the way.



Helping people realize the dream of homeownership is my passion. My experience and knowledge of the industry allows me to tailor each loan to meet the specific needs of each individual. Everyone's story is different, so no one loan will meet everyone's needs. My job is to find that perfect fit.



Buying a home can be one of the most important investments that we make. I am dedicated to making the process a positive and rewarding experience for you, and I welcome the opportunity to earn your business and your trust. Take the next step toward financing your home by clicking the "Apply Now" button now! You can also give me a call or send me an email to schedule some time to chat. I look forward to helping you finance your home.

Melina Chao is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Melina is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Melina at (310) 701-8818 for more information!

Melina Chao at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #966522)

James Cho is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, James is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact James at (773) 739-5111 for more information!

James Cho at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #784929)

As Vice President of Mortgage Lending in Chicago, I am responsible for creating and executing strategies to grow and diversify the company's customer database portfolio. I take pride in my ability to leverage my extensive experience in Jumbo lending and network in the banking and mortgage lending industry to identify and pursue new ultra high jumbo opportunities, and guide them through the lending process.


Before joining Certainty Home Lending, I spent over 19 years as a Senior Wealth Management Lending Officer at another financial institution. In my time there, I developed a strong reputation and track record for delivering high-quality and customized solutions to meet the complex and diverse needs of affluent and ultra high net jumbo lending clients. I consistently exceeded sales and performance targets while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and customer satisfaction.


In my career, I have funded over $1 billion in mortgage loan production and I have also held the distinction of being recognized as the top mortgage loan originator in the entire Midwest year over year and was a consistent Chairman's Club Winner.


My wife Sylvia and our two children, Gianluca and Olivia are proud to call Illinois home!

Darius Korybko is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Darius is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Darius at (708) 704-1047 for more information!

Darius Korybko at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #559863)

National Business Dev & Market Growth Executive

Shadi Kamran is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Shadi is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Shadi at (310) 600-1005 for more information!

Shadi Kamran at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #663711)

++About me:++  
My husband and 3 children reside in Fairhope, AL. My oldest is attending her first year at Auburn University's School of Engineering and has recently joined the Navy ROTC! My youngest is 6 and has started Kindergarten this year, with my middle child starting middle school! To add to my circus, I also have a mini schnauzer, named Abby. I am originally from Birmingham, AL, but I have also lived in Chattanooga, TN. Fairhope, AL is where I currently call home! Fairhope is also known as, "Utopia by the Bay" as it is the most beautiful laid-back, serene place you'll ever visit! When I am not helping people with their mortgage needs, you can find me running all over the place for my kids, and in my very rare time to myself… you'll find me creating art! I love to do charcoal drawings and also acrylic and watercolor paintings!


++Achievements:++  
Baldwin County Best of the Best 2024 Top 5 finalist  
CMBA (Chattanooga Mortgage Banker's Association) Multiple Award Winner: 2019 – Platinum Award, 2020 – Diamond Award, 2021 – Diamond Award, 2022 – Platinum Award


++Experience:++  
I started in the banking business when I was just 17, participating in my school's co-op program where I would leave early every day to work at a credit union I was employed with. I had my hands in indirect lending, as well as accounting. After almost 5 years of being there, I left to join a financial institution as a teller and worked my way up to an assistant branch manager before leaving to join another financial institution as a branch manager. Then, 12 years ago I left retail banking to dip my feet in the mortgage world. I had no idea what I was doing, but quickly found out I was good at it and had a passion for helping others with their mortgage needs! Now I am one of the best and would not do anything else! I have a total of 22 years in the banking and finance field!


I am an expert in FHA, Conventional, USDA, Jumbo, Non-QM and VA loans*! First time home buyers and seasoned home buyers! Looking for an investment product, I've got that covered too!


*Certainty Home Lending has no affiliation with the US Department of Veterans Affairs

Tara Latham is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Tara is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Tara at (251) 267-8545 for more information!

Tara Latham at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #877148)

Jon Farook is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Jon is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Jon at (310) 402-2234 for more information!

Jon Farook at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #663702)

Gretzel Hunt is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Gretzel is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Gretzel at (949) 922-1215 for more information!

Gretzel Hunt at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #256851)

Richard Ortega is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Richard is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Richard at (310) 245-4128 for more information!

Richard Ortega at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #692194)

I began my career in the mortgage industry in 2004. Since then, my 20 years of experience has provided me with a well-rounded history of sales and operations while always keeping the consumer front of mind.


I started my career as a loan officer before transitioning into the operations side, moving from loan level processing to managing production for a national mortgage bank responsible for billions in annual volume.


After 15 years in operations, I have moved back into the sales side of the business with a specific concentration on reverse mortgages. I am excited to educate and assist our retiring seniors as they take advantage of the benefits of a reverse mortgage.

VP, Mortgage Lending - Reverse

Norman Johnson is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Norman is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Norman at (617) 532-3976 for more information!

Norman Johnson at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #2638557)

Dennis Hutchison is your Chicago local lender. As a loan officer at Certainty Home Lending, Dennis is committed to helping homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances, while simplifying the mortgage process and making your home loan experience easy to navigate. Contact Dennis at (805) 444-5504 for more information!

Dennis Hutchison at Certainty Home Lending (NMLS #2089471)

Chicago

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            Headquarters: 3940 N. Ravenswood Ave. Chicago, IL 60613 - ph. (844) 615-2955
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