John Downs
Branch Manager
NMLS# 476406
John Downs is the visionary architect and founder of The Downs Mortgage Group, a dynamic team within Vellum Mortgage dedicated to transforming the mortgage experience. With over 25 years as a trusted mortgage officer, John has closed more than $1.5 billion in loans and empowered over 4,000 families—from first-time homebuyers to veterans, generals, and senators—to achieve homeownership across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia regions.
John isn't just a top mortgage banker; he's on a mission to reinvent the lending process, making it a powerful tool for building financial independence. Drawing from lessons learned during the 2008 Financial Crisis, he shifted from big banks to help form Vellum Mortgage in 2020, leveraging cutting-edge technology and lean operations to close $1 billion annually while delivering 10x better service. Rooted in Annapolis, MD, with a strong family focus and emphasis on serving military families, John's passion lies in connecting with people, explaining complex concepts in simple terms, and instilling confidence for the next generation.
His motto—wealth for the next generation—drives everything he does. John views a mortgage not as a debt, but as an instrument of leverage, allowing you to use someone else's capital to create your own lasting wealth. Whether you're a first-time buyer starting early on the path to generational prosperity or a seasoned homeowner optimizing for retirement security, John and his team provide in-depth counseling, 100% accurate applications, and ethical partnerships with local agents. They focus on the big picture: matching you with the right loan at competitive rates, enhancing your financial literacy, and ensuring your mortgage aligns with long-term wealth-building goals.
Today, The Downs Group thrives as a unit of Vellum Mortgage, comprising mortgage experts who are also client advocates, fierce competitors, friends, athletes, coaches, neighbors, parents, and dog lovers. They're committed to making the world better by empowering you to make wise investment decisions and live the life you envision.