About the John Thomas Team with AnnieMac Home Mortgage in Newark, Delaware
The John Thomas Team is a Newark, Delaware mortgage team led by Branch Manager John R. Thomas, NMLS #38783, lending as the John Thomas Team with AnnieMac Home Mortgage. The team helps Delaware and Maryland buyers with FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and Non-QM loans from 248 E Chestnut Hill Rd. Current as of September 2026.
My goal has always been simple: explain your options so clearly that you can pick the right loan with confidence, then walk you through every step to getting the keys. I’ve done that for Delaware families for more than 20 years, and I don’t do it alone. This page introduces the loan officers who work with me, how we move a loan from the first call to closing, and where we lend. If you want my personal background first, read my loan officer bio. If you’re buying your first home, start with our Delaware first-time home buyer guide.
20+ Years · 3,000+ Buyers Helped · Newark, DE Office · NMLS #38783 · 4-14-24 Guarantee · See John Thomas Team on Google
Talk with a loan officer on the John Thomas Team
Start with a soft-pull pre-qualification. There is no application fee, and it does not affect your credit score.
What clients and agents say about the John Thomas Team
5-star Google review
“Best in the business! Weekly Updates, great customer service. I have worked with them for over 20 years and could not ask for more from a mortgage lender… There have been a few instances where we have had lenders drop the ball because they don’t fully understand how to structure a deal. All of them ended in successful closings due to John’s experience and expertise.”
Lakeisha Cunningham, Realtor
5-star Google review
“John and his team were exceptional, responsive, and on point as it relates to funding information… They’re very thorough and knowledgeable… He’s very patient and cares about his business. I would recommend them and I would use them again.”
Patricia Canela
5-star Google review
“John and his team were phenomenal to work with. They assisted me with finding the right loan vehicle that fit our needs, and they kept in touch every step of the way through the settlement process. We closed within 30 days… I would highly recommend John and his team to anyone looking for a new mortgage.”
Chris
See John Thomas Team on Google · Read more client testimonials
Table of Contents
Who Is the John Thomas Team?
The John Thomas Team is a mortgage lending team based at 248 E Chestnut Hill Rd in Newark, Delaware. Branch Manager John R. Thomas, NMLS #38783, leads a group of loan officers who help buyers and homeowners in Delaware and Maryland choose, apply for and close purchase and refinance loans.
We’ve worked from the same Newark office for years, and the phone number hasn’t changed: 302-703-0727. What makes us different isn’t a rate sheet. It’s the order we do things in. We teach first, then we recommend. Before anyone talks about a rate, we figure out what you actually need: how much you can comfortably spend each month, how much cash you’ll need at closing, and which programs you qualify for.
That teaching habit comes from my own background. I trained as a teacher before I became a Certified Mortgage Planner, I wrote Your Guide to Buying Your First Home in Delaware, and I still teach free first-time home buyer seminars for Delaware buyers.
Here’s the pattern I see most with first-time buyers in New Castle County. The first question usually isn’t about rates. It’s “How much do I really have to bring to closing?” So our first conversation almost always starts with cash to close and down payment help, and the monthly payment comes second. Buyers who see both numbers before they make an offer tend to have far fewer surprises later.
Who Are the Loan Officers on the John Thomas Team?
The John Thomas Team’s loan officers are Branch Manager John R. Thomas, TJ Barker, Hollie Fox, Matthew Victoria, Joe Brown and Tenney Thomas. Each one is individually licensed and listed below with an NMLS number. Licensed states differ by loan officer, so confirm a loan officer’s NMLS record before you apply.
John R. Thomas
Branch Manager and Division Vice President of Sales
NMLS #38783
Leads the team and personally advises on FHA, VA and DSHA down payment assistance files. Certified Mortgage Planner, author and first-time home buyer educator with 20+ years in Delaware and Maryland lending.
TJ Barker
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS #108382
21+ years of mortgage origination. Focuses on first-time home buyers, down payment assistance, FHA, VA, USDA and Non-QM loans, and complex income situations.
Hollie Fox
Loan Officer
NMLS #637647
Matthew Victoria
Loan Officer
NMLS #991697
Joe Brown
Loan Officer
NMLS #2167931
Tenney Thomas
Loan Officer
NMLS #2745374
Every loan officer here works the same way I do: review your whole file, explain the tradeoffs in plain language, and tell you exactly where you stand. You can call the main office line for any of us, and every file stays connected to the Newark office from pre-qualification through closing.
Who Supports Your Loan Behind the Scenes?
Five team members keep each file moving: Nicole Howard runs operations and processing, Loni Helm is the loan concierge from contract to close, Sarah Bolden is a licensed loan partner who structures pre-approvals, and Klinton Malapajo and Ara Aragon are loan partners who answer calls and help buyers get ready to apply.
Nicole Howard
Operations Manager & Loan Processor
Handles the day-to-day operations of the office and oversees processing on every loan from contract to close, working with underwriting to get files approved and cleared for closing.
Sarah Bolden
Loan Partner & Licensed Loan Officer
NMLS #1549763
Reviews client files to match the right loan program, completes pre-qualifications, delivers pre-approval decisions within 24 hours of receiving complete documents, and helps structure loans when you make an offer or refinance.
Loni Helm
Loan Concierge
Your main point of contact from contract to close. Prepares your file for underwriting and sends you, your agent and the settlement company a Weekly Tuesday Status Update every Tuesday until closing day.
Klinton Malapajo
Loan Partner
Answers inbound calls, walks buyers through loan options before they apply and schedules consultations with John or another loan officer.
Ara Aragon
Loan Partner
Answers inbound calls, helps buyers understand their options before they apply and schedules consultations with John or another loan officer.
Here’s why the support side matters to you. A loan officer can only move as fast as the file behind it. When one person tracks your documents, another watches the conditions and a third keeps your agent in the loop, questions get answered the same day instead of sitting in an inbox.
How Does the John Thomas Team Handle a Loan From Start to Closing?
Every new inquiry gets a call, text and email within 4 business hours, and a licensed loan officer reviews your file for pre-approval within 24 hours of receiving your complete loan documents. After you’re under contract, local underwriting typically takes 24 to 48 hours, and many clean files close in 21 days or less.
The John Thomas Team 4-14-24 Guarantee
4
We call, text and email every new inquiry within 4 business hours.
14
If we haven’t connected yet, we keep following up for 14 days, then check in periodically until you’re ready or ask us to stop.
24
A licensed loan officer reviews your file and gives you a pre-approval decision within 24 hours of receiving your complete loan documents.
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-qualification | Soft credit pull, a first look at income, assets and goals, and the programs that may fit | We reach out within 4 business hours; no application fee |
| 2. Application and pre-approval | Full application and documents; a written pre-approval you can shop with | Within 24 hours of receiving your complete loan documents |
| 3. Underwriting | Local underwriting review of the complete file, appraisal and conditions; your loan concierge sends a status update every Tuesday | Typically 24-48 hours once the file is complete |
| 4. Clear to close | Final conditions satisfied; closing documents prepared and sent to settlement | Closing documents within 24 hours of clear to close |
| 5. Closing | You sign at settlement and get the keys | Many clean files close in 21 days or less |
Timing depends on the appraisal, the purchase contract, how quickly documents come in and the program. Some programs, such as DSHA and renovation loans, add review steps. Closing costs still apply and are itemized on your Loan Estimate.
Getting pre-approved isn’t where we stop. For the next 12 weeks you’ll get a short weekly video email from me on the next step of the home buying process, so you’re ready when you find the right house. Once you’re under contract, your loan concierge sends you, your agent and the settlement company a Weekly Tuesday Status Update until closing day, so nobody has to chase anyone for an update.
I need you to understand one thing about that 21-day figure: it describes a clean file, not a promise. A file moves fastest when the documents come in complete the first time. That’s why we give you a clear list up front and check your numbers against program limits before you make an offer. If you want to see what lenders look at on your credit, our guide to the five factors of credit scoring is a good place to start.
What Loan Programs Does the John Thomas Team Offer?
The team offers a broad range of purchase and refinance loans: FHA, VA, USDA, conventional and jumbo loans, DSHA first mortgages with down payment assistance, renovation and construction loans, reverse mortgages, and Non-QM options for self-employed borrowers and investors. Eligibility depends on credit, income, property type and each program’s limits.
| Your situation | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Buying your first home in Delaware | Delaware first-time home buyer guide |
| Need help with a down payment or closing costs | Delaware down payment assistance programs and DSHA loan programs (program rules are set by the Delaware State Housing Authority) |
| Lower down payment or credit that is still building | Delaware FHA loans |
| Veteran, service member or eligible surviving spouse | Delaware VA loans |
| Buying in a USDA-eligible area | USDA rural home loans |
| Stronger credit and a larger down payment | Delaware conventional loans |
| Loan amount above the conforming limit | Delaware jumbo mortgages |
| Self-employed or non-traditional income | Delaware self-employed mortgages and Non-QM loans |
| Buying a home that needs work | renovation loans |
| Building a new home | one-time close construction loans |
| Age 62 or older and want to use home equity | reverse mortgages in Delaware and Maryland |
Not sure which row is you? That’s normal, and it’s exactly what the first conversation is for. Most buyers qualify for more than one program, and the right one depends on the whole picture, not one number. You can also browse every loan program we offer.
Where Does the John Thomas Team Lend?
The team’s office is in Newark, Delaware, and it serves buyers across all three Delaware counties and in Maryland. Individual loan officers may hold licenses in other states, but Delaware and Maryland are the team’s service area, and each loan officer’s NMLS record shows exactly where that loan officer is licensed.
Local guides for Delaware buyers: Newark, Wilmington, Bear, Middletown, Hockessin, Pike Creek, Dover, Smyrna and Milford.
Our office at 248 E Chestnut Hill Rd, Newark, DE 19713 is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern. Most buyers never need to visit, because applications, documents and disclosures can all be handled online, but you’re always welcome to sit down with us in person.
248 E Chestnut Hill Rd, Newark, DE 19713 · Get directions on Google Maps
Finding us: the office is at the corner of Route 72 and Chestnut Hill Road, set back by the train tracks. Look for the Wawa on one corner and the gas station on another.
John R. Thomas, NMLS #38783, is licensed as a mortgage loan officer in 17 states: AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KS, MD, MN, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN and VA. That list is his license credential; the team’s day-to-day service area is Delaware and Maryland. You can verify John’s licenses on NMLS Consumer Access.
What Changed for the John Thomas Team in 2026?
In August 2026 the team began originating through a new lender, which is named with its company NMLS number in the disclosure at the bottom of this page. The Newark office, the phone number 302-703-0727, John R. Thomas’s NMLS #38783 and the team’s Google Business Profile did not change.
The programs we offered before the move are still available, including DSHA and the county and city down payment programs, and we’ve added more. Our team email is now team@johnthomasteam.com, and older team addresses are no longer checked, so please update your contacts. If you started a pre-approval with us before August 2026, call the office. We’ll review where your file stands and tell you what needs to be updated.
How Has John Thomas Been Recognized?
John R. Thomas has been listed as a Scotsman Guide Top Originator (2016 through 2021), in National Mortgage News’s Top 400 Loan Originators (2017 through 2021) and in Mortgage Executive Magazine’s top 1% of mortgage originators nationwide (2017 through 2021). These are historical rankings published by those organizations.
| Recognition | Published by | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Top Originator, FHA volume | Scotsman Guide | 2016-2021 |
| Top 400 Loan Originators | National Mortgage News | 2017-2021 |
| Top 1% of Mortgage Originators | Mortgage Executive Magazine | 2017-2021 |
Rankings are nice, but they aren’t why people call us. Most of our business comes from past clients and the real estate agents who’ve watched us close their buyers’ loans, and that’s the recognition I care about most. You can read what clients say on our testimonials page or See John Thomas Team on Google.
How Do I Get Started With the John Thomas Team?
Call 302-703-0727, book a 30-minute consultation online or apply online, and you’ll hear back within 4 business hours. The first step is a soft-pull pre-qualification, which does not affect your credit score, and there is no application fee. From there, a loan officer lays out the programs that fit and what you’ll need to bring to closing.
Prefer to learn first? Come to one of our free first-time home buyer seminars, or send us a question through the contact page. If you’d rather start from the beginning, the John Thomas Team homepage has every guide in one place.
“You only think about home financing a few times during your life. I think about it every single day. It’s your home and your future. It’s my profession and my passion.” – John R. Thomas
John Thomas Team FAQ
Who is on the John Thomas Team?
The John Thomas Team is led by Branch Manager John R. Thomas, NMLS #38783, and includes loan officers TJ Barker, Hollie Fox, Matthew Victoria, Joe Brown and Tenney Thomas, supported by an operations manager, a loan concierge and three loan partners. The team works from 248 E Chestnut Hill Rd in Newark, Delaware, and helps buyers and homeowners in Delaware and Maryland with purchase and refinance loans.
Did the John Thomas Team change lenders in 2026?
Yes. In August 2026 the team began originating through a new lender, which is named with its company NMLS number in the disclosure at the bottom of this page. The Newark office, the phone number 302-703-0727, John R. Thomas’s personal NMLS #38783 and the team’s Google Business Profile stayed the same. The team email is team@johnthomasteam.com; older team addresses are no longer checked.
I started a pre-approval with the team before August 2026. What should I do now?
Call the office at 302-703-0727 or email team@johnthomasteam.com. A loan officer will review where your file stands and tell you what needs to be updated, such as a new application or refreshed documents. Your options depend on how far along the file was and whether your income, credit or target price has changed since then.
Is there a fee to apply or get pre-qualified?
No. The team does not charge an application fee or any upfront fee, and pre-qualification starts with a soft credit pull that does not affect your credit score. Closing costs, such as lender, title and government recording charges, still apply when you close, and they are itemized on the Loan Estimate you receive after you apply.
How fast can the John Thomas Team close a loan?
Pre-approval comes first: once the team receives your complete loan documents, a licensed loan officer reviews your file and gives you a pre-approval decision within 24 hours. After you’re under contract, many clean files close in 21 days or less. Underwriting is handled locally and typically takes 24 to 48 hours once a complete file is submitted, and closing documents are usually ready within 24 hours of clear to close. Actual timing depends on the appraisal, the purchase contract, how quickly documents come in and the program, and some programs add review steps.
Can the team help if my credit is not ready for a mortgage yet?
Often, yes. A loan officer reviews your credit report with you, explains which factors are holding your score back and lays out a plan. That may mean applying now with a program that fits your current score, or following a Get Mortgage Ready action plan for a few months while you improve it. Minimum scores vary by program and by the rest of your file, so a qualifying score alone does not mean approval.
Does the John Thomas Team only work with first-time home buyers?
No. First-time buyers are a large part of the team’s work, but the team also helps move-up buyers, veterans using VA loans, self-employed borrowers, real estate investors, homeowners who want to refinance and borrowers age 62 or older who are considering a reverse mortgage. Eligibility depends on credit, income, property type and each program’s own limits.
What if I am buying a home in Maryland instead of Delaware?
The team serves both Delaware and Maryland. Each loan officer holds individual state licenses, so the loan officer who works your file must be licensed in Maryland, and Maryland down payment programs and closing costs differ from Delaware’s. Tell the team where you are buying on your first call so your file goes to a Maryland-licensed loan officer.
Where is the John Thomas Team office, and when is it open?
The office is at 248 E Chestnut Hill Rd, Newark, DE 19713, and the phone number is 302-703-0727. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern. You can also book a 30-minute consultation online at a time that works for you.
How can I check a loan officer’s license?
Every mortgage loan officer has a unique NMLS number. Search the loan officer’s name or number at NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org) to see which states that person is licensed in and which company they work for. John R. Thomas is NMLS #38783, and each loan officer’s NMLS number is listed in the team section of this page.
About John R. Thomas
Branch Manager & Division Vice President of Sales, John Thomas Team with AnnieMac Home Mortgage
NMLS #38783 Team Leader DSHA Approved Author
John R. Thomas leads the John Thomas Team from its Newark, Delaware office. He holds a B.S. in Physics Education from the University of Delaware and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Delaware State University, is a Certified Mortgage Planner, and wrote Your Guide to Buying Your First Home in Delaware. He has helped more than 3,000 Delaware and Maryland buyers over 20+ years. Licensed in 17 states (AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KS, MD, MN, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA). NMLS #38783.
In his words: “The files that close smoothly are almost always the ones where the numbers were checked before the offer went in: income limits, purchase-price caps and cash to close. That’s the habit I build into every loan officer on this team, because it’s what keeps buyers from surprises at the closing table.”
Years
Buyers Helped
Delaware Home Buyer Guide
Service Area
Certified Mortgage Planner
John Thomas Team with AnnieMac Home Mortgage
248 E Chestnut Hill Rd, Newark, DE 19713 | 302-703-0727 | team@johnthomasteam.com
Schedule Appointment | YouTube | See John Thomas Team on Google
State licensing: John R. Thomas, NMLS #38783, on NMLS Consumer Access.
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Tell us where you’re buying and what you’re working with. We’ll review your whole picture and show you the programs that fit, so there are no surprises along the way.
Last Updated: September 2026 · John Thomas Team with AnnieMac Home Mortgage · Mortgage content reviewed by John R. Thomas, NMLS #38783.
John R. Thomas, NMLS #38783 | John Thomas Team with AnnieMac Home Mortgage | AnnieMac Home Mortgage NMLS #338923 | 248 E Chestnut Hill Rd, Newark, DE 19713 | 302-703-0727 | delawaremortgageloans.net
AnnieMac Home Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender. State licensing: John R. Thomas, NMLS #38783, on NMLS Consumer Access.
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