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Your bridge to better home financing

Select from hundreds of loan products tailored to your needs

About me

Hi, I’m Austin Braaten. I am a husband, father of three beautiful children, and a full-time professional Mortgage Advisor. I take great pride in lending you clarity and confidence when applying for a mortgage, and shopping for a home!   

Whether it’s your first home, or tenth, my team is dedicated to making sure you have a great experience during the biggest transaction most folks ever deal with.   

I have been licensed in California and Arizona for over 8 years now, here in the Greater Sacramento area.   With extensive experience in First Time Homebuyer Programs, including being a Preferred Loan Officer by the California Housing Finance Agency, and my successful history of helping folks leverage their equity through bridge loans and reverse mortgages, we will have the right program for you!  

When I’m not helping my amazing clients and partners, you can find me chasing my three babies around, or volunteering at the local food bank.   

I look forward to working with you!   

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Meet my team

Team Logo

I work closely with my team of specialists to get you the financing you need. See what each member brings to the team.

Let’s find the right home loan for you

We have loan options to fit every situation, from down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers to government-sponsored programs for military families and rural residents or jumbo loans in high-cost markets.

Conventional

Conventional

A Conventional loan is a great option if you have an average to high credit score and little debt. This allows you to take advantage of lower interest rates. With these types of loans, you have the option to put 20% down, which eliminates the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI) and saves you money. If you don’t have a large down payment saved up though, don’t worry. We have Conventional loan options for down payments as low as 3%.
Down payment assistance

Down payment assistance

If you’re purchasing your first home, you have options to buy without saving a full down payment. Down payment assistance (DPA) programs can help with your down payment in the form of a loan or grant that is often forgiven over time.
FHA

FHA

If you’re looking to buy on a tight budget, these loans are a great option. It’s easier to qualify for FHA loans because they carry lower credit score requirements and lower down payment options starting at 3.5% down. They’re also insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and only issued by FHA-approved lenders.

All loans are subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice.

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Testimonials

Testimonials
4.97 out of 5.0 stars
5.0
4.9
5.0
David
May 23, 2023
Verified

Austin Braaten was absolutely fantastic. Throughout the entire loan process he was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and very reachable. Whenever we had a question he was immediately there for us, day, night and even on weekends. We are extremely grateful for everything that he did to help us get to where we are today…homeowners. It was an unbelievable but totally awesome experience and we couldn’t have done it without Austin guiding us along the way.
Minh V
May 18, 2023
Verified

Being a first time home buyer, Austin genuinely wanted to help me. He answered all of my questions, was quick to reply when I would send him a message, educated me about the entire process, and would provide me with status updates throughout the entire process. He followed up with me until the very end. His assistant Whitney was amazing as well. She was very helpful and would also provide me with updates. I can't recommend Austin and Whitney enough. They truly made my experience as a first time home buyer simple, easy, and stress free.
JoLynn C
Sep 20, 2022
Verified

Wonderful experience with the Guild Team especially Austin Braaten!
Rachel M
Jan 31, 2025
Verified

I found Austin by accident, as a broker authorized to support the specific program I was using. It turned out to be serendipity. Austin was always responsive, professional and supportive. He never seemed to get stressed or frustrated (at least not with me) and always made me feel like he worked for me (vs. lender, agents, etc.). It was a long process with many ups and downs and he was the only one there through all of it - he even returned my call from the hospital once! Thanks Austin!
Rachel
Jan 27, 2025
Grass Valley, CA
Verified

Noted in previous answer.
Monet B
Jan 29, 2025
Verified

Austin was absolutely phenomenal! As first-time homebuyers, we had a lot to learn, and Austin guided us through every step with patience, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to our success. From the very beginning, he was upfront about all costs, making sure there were no surprises along the way. He explained every option in detail and took the time to ensure we fully understood our loan terms. No matter what time of day (or night), Austin was always available to take our calls, answer questions, and address any concerns. His responsiveness and dedication made what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and manageable. What truly set Austin apart was his unwavering commitment to exceptional service even while battling pneumonia! Despite being under the weather, he never let it impact his work. He stayed on top of everything, kept all parties in sync, and made sure our loan process stayed on track. His professionalism and work ethic are truly unmatched. Thanks to Austin’s hard work and expertise, we were able to close on our first home with confidence. If you’re looking for a loan officer who is knowledgeable, honest, and truly invested in your success, Austin Braaten is the one to call. We can’t recommend him highly enough!

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Awards

Causes & Memberships

NMLS ID #1480453
I am authorized to do business in the states of Arizona and California. AZ BK#0018883; AZ BKBR# 1041263; AZ LO Lic.# 0936117; Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act;