The Story of Fairway

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a direct mortgage lender founded in April 1996 by Steve Jacobson, who still leads it as CEO. It is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, licensed under NMLS #2289, and runs its own underwriting. In Seattle, Fairway is the lender behind my branch, The Mortgage Reel.

I have spent more than 25 years closing loans around Puget Sound, and Fairway is the fourth mortgage company I have worked for. People who find this page are usually asking one of two things: who is Fairway, and why does it matter which company sits behind your loan officer? This page answers both, starting with Fairway’s own short film.

The Story of Fairway from Fairway IMC on Vimeo.

Who Is Fairway Independent Mortgage?

Steve Jacobson started Fairway in 1996. The name came from his childhood best friend and longtime colleague, Randy Cross. Fairway grew from that start into a national lender with branches across the country, and Steve is still the person running it. That continuity is rare in this industry, where lenders get bought, merged, and renamed every few years.

You can confirm any mortgage company’s license on the NMLS Consumer Access site. Fairway is NMLS #2289, and I am NMLS #112443. Checking both numbers before you apply is a good habit with any lender.

What Fairway’s Culture Looks Like From the Inside

Every mortgage company talks about culture. Family, service, a get-it-done mindset. After four companies, I can tell you most of them say it and only some of them build it into how files actually move.

Fairway describes its core values as being “kind, humble and giving 100% every day” (Fairway). From a loan officer’s seat, what that means in practice is that the people behind the scenes, processors, underwriters, closers, work toward a solution instead of a reason to say no. When a file hits a snag, the question is how we get it done, not whose fault it is.

That mindset gave me confidence to lean into what I do well: teaching clients the process and moving fast when it counts. I am thankful to be part of this company and this family of peers, and grateful to Steve for building it. It fits how I grew up here in Seattle, where ohana, family, is something you show rather than say.

Is Fairway a Mortgage Broker or a Direct Lender?

Fairway is a direct lender. That is worth explaining, because a lot of people searching for a Seattle mortgage broker do not know there is a difference.

• A mortgage broker takes your application and places the loan with an outside wholesale lender. The broker does not underwrite or fund the loan; the outside lender does. Brokers are paid a fee, which I explain in what mortgage brokers charge.
• A direct lender like Fairway takes your application, underwrites it, and funds it in-house. The loan officer, processor, and underwriter work for the same company.
• A big bank is also a direct lender, but mortgages are one product among many, and decisions often run through layers of centralized departments.

None of these is right for every borrower. I compare all three plainly in my guide to choosing a mortgage broker or lender in Seattle, and the first-time buyer version is local lenders vs. big banks.

Why a Direct Lender Like Fairway Matters to Seattle Buyers

In Seattle and on the Eastside, good homes in neighborhoods like Ballard, Capitol Hill, and west Bellevue still draw multiple offers. Sellers and listing agents care about one thing in that moment: will this buyer close, and on time? Here is where having underwriting under the same roof helps.

Speed. Because the underwriting is in-house, I do not wait in an outside lender’s queue. We confidently close in 9 business days. That lets a buyer write a shorter financing timeline, which can make an offer stronger without waiving protections.

Fewer handoffs. When an underwriter has a question, it comes to a colleague, not a stranger at another company. Questions get answered in hours instead of days.

Complex income. A lot of my clients work at Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other tech employers, with pay that includes RSUs and bonuses. Talking through that income with an underwriter before you write an offer avoids surprises later. I cover the rules in how RSUs affect mortgage approval.

The full sequence, from pre-approval through closing, is in my mortgage loan process guide.

What Loans Does Fairway Offer in Seattle?

Through Fairway, I offer the loan types Seattle buyers and owners use most. Each one has its own page with current 2026 limits and rules:

• Conventional loans, typically from 3% down for qualified first-time buyers.
• FHA loans, typically 3.5% down with more flexible credit guidelines.
• VA loans for eligible veterans and service members, often with no down payment.
• Jumbo loans above the 2026 King County limit of $1,063,750 for a single-family home.
• Refinancing, including cash-out and rate-and-term options.

Eligibility always depends on your full loan profile and is subject to credit approval. For the bigger picture of buying and financing in the city, start with my Seattle home financing hub.

Why I Chose Fairway After 25 Years in Seattle

I was born and raised in Seattle, and I have closed loans here through several very different markets. The lesson from all of them is that the company behind you shows up when something goes wrong: an appraisal comes in low, a condo questionnaire stalls, a closing date gets tight. At Fairway, those moments get solved by people who act like it is their own file.

My approach has not changed. I do not sell, I educate. You should understand your loan as well as I do before you sign. Fairway gives me the tools and the team to do that at speed, and that is the story I wanted to tell here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fairway Independent Mortgage

Talk With a Fairway Loan Officer in Seattle

If you want to know how Fairway would handle your purchase or refinance, the easiest step is a conversation. I will explain your options in plain language, and we will keep it pressure-free. Everything is subject to a full loan estimate and underwriting approval.

Learn more about working with a Seattle mortgage broker or direct lender, read what past clients say on my reviews page, and explore Seattle home financing. This article is general education. Loan programs, eligibility, and timelines vary by loan profile and are subject to credit approval. Equal Housing Opportunity. Keith Akada, NMLS #112443. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #2289.