MIKE BAKER | THE RATE SHOP
Your Kansas City Mortgage Broker, From First Questions to Closing
I’m Mike Baker, a mortgage broker in Kansas City. I compare multiple lenders to help homebuyers and homeowners find the right combination of interest rate, closing costs, and monthly payment.
Licensed in Kansas and Missouri · Individual NMLS #259076 · Company NMLS #2554765
Call Mike: 913-213-3335 · Text Mike
Available nights and weekends.
Experience. Options. Direct access.
Your Kansas City Mortgage Broker: Experienced, Accessible, Personally Involved
I’m Mike Baker, owner of The Rate Shop. I’ve been originating mortgages since 2009 and have helped 1,000's of clients close on their home loans. I opened The Rate Shop in 2023 to serve homebuyers and homeowners in Kansas and Missouri.
Multiple lenders. A clear comparison.
As your mortgage broker, I compare multiple lenders to find the lowest interest rates and closing costs available among the lenders I shop. I help you understand those options so you can choose the right combination for your needs.
Work directly with me
You work directly with me from our first conversation through closing.
Available nights and weekends
When questions come up, I’m available nights and weekends, too.
The Rate Shop · Company NMLS #2554765
Mike Baker · Individual NMLS #259076 · Licensed in Kansas and Missouri
The Problem
Buying a home should feel exciting. Choosing a mortgage should feel clear.
One lender advertises a low rate. Another quotes a lower payment. It is hard to tell what you will actually pay, how much cash you need, or which option fits your life.
The Solution
A clear plan. A local guide. A mortgage that fits.
I’m Mike Baker. I help buyers and homeowners across Kansas and Missouri compare the monthly payment, upfront costs, and long-term cost of a loan. You get plain-English answers and a person to call from our first conversation through closing.
Conversation
We uncover your goals.
Strategy
We build a plan just for you.
Solutions
You choose from options best for you.
Closing
We walk together to the finish line.
Start with your goal
What would you like your next mortgage to do?
Buy a home with confidence
Understand your comfortable payment, down payment, and the money you need at closing before you shop.
Explore homebuying loan options →Make refinancing worth it
See whether the savings justify the costs—and how a new payoff date changes the total interest you could pay.
Explore refinancing →Put your home equity to work
Compare ways to fund a renovation or another goal, including options that let you keep your current mortgage and its interest rate.
Explore home equity options →Explore your loan options
Real mortgage experiences
What clients are saying about Mike
Clear answers and steady communication make a difference. Here are excerpts from three clients’ Google reviews.
“He was patient, covered all my questions and was very responsive. The entire process was very simple and the closing was super quick and easy.”
“Wow. Mike Baker knows his stuff. Just finished a refinance and the communication and process was really really good.”
“We are so grateful for his wealth of knowledge, calming and positive demeanor and ability to tailor our loan to what we needed and wanted!”
Useful answers, at your pace
Get comfortable with the numbers and the next steps
What could my payment be?
Build an estimate that includes taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance when applicable.
Try the mortgage calculator →Keep your mortgage. Explore your equity.
Compare a home equity loan for debt payoff or renovations. See how your monthly payments and total interest could change with a 10-, 15-, or 20-year loan.
Try the Home Equity Loan Calculator →What should I prepare?
See the process from pre-approval to closing and download a practical document checklist.
Follow the mortgage roadmap →Kansas City, on both sides of the state line
Get to know the area—and what owning a home could cost
Mike is licensed in Kansas and Missouri. Explore the communities you are considering, then bring the property’s price, taxes, insurance, and any homeowners association dues into your mortgage plan.
Explore all Kansas City community guides →Start with a clear answer
Kansas City mortgage questions, answered
Do I need 20% down to buy a home in Kansas or Missouri?
No. Some conventional loans allow 3% down for eligible buyers, FHA financing may allow 3.5%, and eligible VA or USDA borrowers may qualify for no down payment. You still need to plan for closing costs and qualification requirements. Read the down payment FAQs →
How much home can I comfortably afford?
Start with the monthly amount that fits your life, including taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and other bills. A lender’s maximum approval may be more than you want to spend. Estimate a monthly payment →
Can I buy before I sell my current home?
Possibly. First, we’ll check whether you can qualify for the new mortgage while still paying for your current home. Some loans allow a recast: after your old home sells, you put money from the sale toward your new loan, and the lender recalculates a lower monthly loan payment. Your interest rate stays the same; taxes and insurance are separate. Let’s confirm that option before you choose a loan. Explore buying before selling →
When does refinancing make sense?
When the benefits justify the costs and fit your plans. Compare payment savings, upfront costs, the new payoff date, and how long you expect to keep the loan. A lower payment alone does not always mean a less expensive loan. Run a refinance comparison →
How long does the mortgage process take?
Typically, from signing a purchase contract to closing on the home, it is roughly 21–30 days. Your loan, appraisal, title work, and how quickly documents are ready can change that timeline. See each step →
Educational program information: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau mortgage resources. Eligibility and loan terms vary.
Let’s find your best next step.
Buying, refinancing, or just sorting through the possibilities? Tell me what you want to accomplish. We will start with your questions and build a plan around your budget.
Mike Baker · Mortgage Loan Originator · NMLS #259076
The Rate Shop · Company NMLS #2554765 · Kansas & Missouri