Mortgage Sources Corp. has offices in Overland Park, Hays, Salina and Tonganoxie.

“And we’re getting ready to open an office in Little Rock,” Elston said.

The company is 3 years old, and Elston is owner of the Tonganoxie branch, which is in the Lloyd Mills Insurance building, 304 West St.

Elston, 36, who lives south of Tonganoxie and grew up in Grandview, has strong family ties to Tonganoxie. His grandmother, Etta Katherine Elston, has lived here all her life, and his father, Don Elston, grew up here.

Janet (Hunter) Spencer, Tonganoxie, works at the new business as a loan officer.

Elston said he expects business to be good in Tonganoxie.

“The new housing market is very good,” he said.

“A lot of people are willing to drive 25 to 30 minutes to work and they’re willing to move here away from the traffic in the city. Also, a lot of people seem to be searching for ground that’s bigger than a postage stamp. And, a lot of folks are looking out here so that their kids won’t be in huge schools.”

The main thrust of the business comes from working with real estate agents who have potential homebuyers who can’t obtain loans from banks, Elston said.

“We offer more opportunity than conventional banks,” Elston said. “We’ve got different loan programs where the traditional banks are rigid in what they can and cannot do. Which is good. When the local banks aren’t going to take the risks with the more higher risk loans or the 100 percent loans, we can do that.”

This doesn’t mean that absolutely everyone can qualify for a mortgage loan, Elston said.

“But I would say we’re more creative in getting loans approved for all situations for a many people as possible.”