Meet Riley Anderson: My Go‑To Lender for Downsizers and Retirees

Meet the Team: Why I Trust Riley Anderson at Freestone Mortgage

When you are making a big move, especially if you are downsizing or planning for retirement, the people on your team matter just as much as the property you choose. That is why I am intentional about who I partner with, and Riley Anderson at Freestone Mortgage is one of my top go‑to lenders for my clients in South Clackamas County, the North Willamette Valley, and beyond.

Riley is co‑founder of Freestone Mortgage and a Senior Mortgage Broker, licensed in Oregon and Washington, with more states on the way. You can reach him at 503‑339‑2343, RAnderson@freestonemortgage.com, or schedule a consultation at https://consultation.freestonemortgage.com/consultation-riley-anderson.

How I Met Riley (and Why He Stuck)

I first met Riley through another lender connection he was working with at the time. We were introduced and he came to support me at an open house, which already told me something about how he shows up for his partners.

Later, a trusted title rep suggested that I reconnect with Riley because he felt our trajectory in business, and the way we both work relationally, would be a great fit. Since that meeting, it has been clear that Riley has a smart mind for business, genuinely cares about people, and is not interested in being transactional. He wants to build a business he can be proud of, and that mirrors my own ambitions in many ways.

We meet and strategize about ideas to help each other grow and serve our clients better, and in the time since, he has consistently taken great care of the clients I have referred to him.

Riley’s Lending Expertise: From First Home to Last

Riley offers a comprehensive range of mortgage solutions through Freestone Mortgage’s broker platform, with specialized expertise in retirement lending products that many traditional lenders overlook.

He has deep knowledge in:

• Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), often misunderstood as “reverse mortgages,” which he reframes as strategic retirement planning tools rather than last‑resort options.

• Jumbo retirement mortgages for retirees with higher‑value properties and unique financial profiles.

• Traditional mortgage products, including conventional, FHA, VA, and other loan programs available through Freestone’s broker network.

What I love is that Riley takes a holistic approach. He is not just doing one‑off loans; he is helping clients think about how each home decision, from first home to last, fits into their long‑term financial and retirement goals.

Why I Keep Sending Clients to Riley

As an agent, I get approached by a lot of lenders. Most of them are primarily focused on asking for referrals, not actually building a relationship or demonstrating the value they add to the client experience.

My goal is to create incredible client experiences, and that has to include the partners I choose.

Riley is consistent. He shows up. He brings knowledge, accessibility, and competitive rates and fees that often make him one of the strongest options around for my buyers. He is patient, understands how to communicate with clients from all walks of life, and can meet them where they are in the process.

That combination of expertise and genuine care is why I keep sending clients to him.

Serving Downsizers, Retirees, and Second‑Home Buyers

Riley specializes in serving clients age 55 and older, especially retirees and downsizers who are navigating a new chapter and want to make smart, sustainable decisions with their housing and equity. Whether someone is right‑sizing into a one‑level home in Wilsonville or moving closer to family in Canby or Oregon City, he brings an education‑first approach to retirement lending options like HECMs.

He also has a strong track record guiding clients through second‑home purchases, whether it is a vacation place, a future retirement home, or an investment property. His real strength is helping people see the full picture, and understand what this decision means not just today but for the rest of their homeownership journey.

Exclusive Tools and Programs You Should Know About

Riley does not just rely on standard tools. Through Freestone Mortgage, he has access to programs and resources that are particularly meaningful for the clients I serve.

• Whisper retirement calculator: a proprietary tool that helps clients see how home equity fits into their broader retirement strategy and turns complex scenarios into clear, visual options.

• Employee Benefits Program: an option local employers can offer at no cost, giving their teams access to competitive mortgage solutions and expert guidance.

• Local Heroes Program: special perks and benefits for first responders, nurses, and teachers, people who serve our communities and deserve exceptional care in their home financing.

These resources are especially helpful for downsizers, retirees, and working families throughout Multnomah and Clackamas counties who want more than just a rate quote.

How Riley Shows Up When Things Get Stressful

Not every transaction is smooth. There are tense moments, unexpected issues, and emotional days in almost every real estate journey.

In situations where things feel tense, Riley is a true partner. If there is a way to problem‑solve around an issue, we work through it together. He has a wide range of resources and options at his fingertips, and I feel confident that, as a team, we will do everything we can to keep things moving forward.

When Riley is on the lending side of a tricky file, I know I have someone who communicates clearly, stays calm, and keeps the focus on solutions, not blame.

How He Treats My Clients

Riley is a communicator. Each type of client we work with, whether first‑time buyers, move‑up buyers, or downsizers, may need a slightly different approach, but there are common threads: patience, listening, and consistent communication.

Those qualities go a long way in helping clients feel safe during a big financial process. This is especially true with retired clients and downsizers. There are a lot of moving parts in any real estate transaction, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

I know that on the lending side, Riley is a trusted partner who will honor and respect the clients we are working with. That emotional safety matters just as much as the numbers.

How We Collaborate to Keep Deals on Track

Riley and I communicate in a number of ways, including text, phone calls, and email, depending on the urgency and what the situation calls for. I never feel like I am in the dark about where things stand.

When a client is actively shopping and finds a home they like, we are both in motion. I dive into property details, disclosures, and appointments. Riley jumps into the financials and sends loan estimates to the buyer quickly. That way, the buyer is seeing the real picture, not just the pretty photos online.

They are fully equipped to make the right decision from all angles once we are at the property. To me, that is what it means to truly empower clients.

A Real‑Life Rightsizing Story

One example of Riley’s retirement‑lending expertise is Brian and Janet, who were ready to downsize from their 3,200‑square‑foot home in Lake Oswego to a smaller, more manageable single‑level home in Wilsonville priced at 595,000 dollars.

Conventional wisdom said they should pay cash from the sale of their current home. But when Riley reviewed their complete financial picture, he saw that paying cash would reduce their emergency fund, limit their flexibility if the market shifted, and add stress to their retirement.

Instead, he recommended a Retirement Mortgage for Purchase, a HECM designed for buyers 62 and older, which allowed them to buy the home they wanted, make no monthly mortgage payments, and keep roughly 280,000 dollars liquid for healthcare, travel, and peace of mind.

Riley then connected them with me on the real estate side so we could guide them through the transition together. That kind of collaboration is exactly why I love working with him.

Riley’s Vision for Freestone Mortgage

Riley founded Freestone Mortgage in 2024, at a time when many people in the industry were questioning whether it made sense to start something new. Rates were high, origination volumes were down, and “wait it out” was the common advice.

Instead of waiting, Riley chose to build. He focused on hiring excellent people, dialing in efficient processes, and creating systems that prioritize client experience and operational excellence. As a result, Freestone has grown steadily while some competitors have pulled back or closed.

That long‑term, thoughtful approach is exactly what you want in a lending partner, especially for retirement and downsizing decisions.

Why Riley and I Make a Strong Team

I often say that Riley and I are a bit of a dynamic duo for downsizers and retirees in our area. We are two people who care deeply about the humans we serve first, and then about the transaction.

We both lead with education so you can understand your loan options, market conditions, and the overall process before you feel pressured to make a decision. We are relationship‑based, not “one‑and‑done” based. Our goal is to support you across your entire homeownership journey.

We are also rooted locally in the communities we serve, from Oregon City, Canby, and Wilsonville to the broader North Willamette Valley and Portland metro. That local lens matters when you are making big decisions about where and how you want to live in your next chapter.

If you would like to learn more about Riley’s approach directly, you can also explore Freestone Mortgage online and connect with him through his site.

Let’s Talk About Your Next Chapter

If you are starting to think about downsizing, right‑sizing, or planning a move that better fits your retirement years, you do not have to puzzle it out alone.

You are welcome to reach out to either of us:

• Riley Anderson, Freestone Mortgage: 503‑339‑2343, RAnderson@freestonemortgage.com, consultation link at https://consultation.freestonemortgage.com/consultation-riley-anderson.

• Me, Jen Schurter: 503‑351‑6569, Jen@JenSchurter.com, or schedule a time at https://calendly.com/jen-475/30min.

Together, we are here to help you understand both the real estate and lending sides so you can make confident, well‑supported decisions about your next home.

Important Compliance:
Riley Anderson NMLS: 1994195.
Freestone Mortgage LLC NMLS 2613454. 704 Main St. 200, Oregon City, OR 97045. Equal Opportunity Mortgage Broker. Credit on approval. Terms subject to change without notice. Not a commitment to lend. Contents not provided by, or approved by, FHA, HUD or any other government agency. All potential tax benefits should be verified with a licensed tax advisor.