Your first home, without the guesswork.
A plain-English roadmap built for California buyers — what you actually need for a down payment, what lenders really look at, and the order of operations from preapproval to keys. No jargon. No pressure.
Lowest down payment
0–3%
VA, USDA, Conventional 97, FHA
Typical credit floor
620
580 with FHA in some cases
Time from offer to keys
21–30 days
Most first-time closings
Six steps from "thinking about it" to keys in hand.
1. Get your numbers straight
Before touring homes, know your comfortable monthly payment, your savings runway, and a rough target price. Use the calculator to set the ceiling — not Zillow.
2. Check your credit honestly
Pull your scores from all three bureaus. We don't need perfect — we need real. Most first-time programs start around 620, with the best pricing landing near 740.
3. Get preapproved (the real kind)
A real preapproval reviews income, assets, and credit — not just a soft pull. It's what makes your offer credible in a tight Bay Area market.
4. Tour with a clear budget
Stick to homes inside the preapproval. Your agent will negotiate harder when your financing is locked and your number is real.
5. Make an offer with backup
When you find the one, I'll talk directly with the listing agent so they trust the financing. That can be the difference in a multiple-offer situation.
6. Close — usually 21 to 30 days
Appraisal, underwriting, final docs, signing. I keep you ahead of every deadline so the keys land on schedule.
Not sure where you fall? Just ask.
A 15-minute call usually clears up more than an hour of Googling. No credit pull, no sales pitch — just a straight answer about what's realistic for you right now.
What you'll need for a real preapproval.
Have these ready and we can usually issue a verified preapproval letter inside one business day — strong enough to make competitive offers in the Bay Area.
- Two most recent pay stubs
- Two years of W-2s (or 1099s / tax returns if self-employed)
- Two months of bank statements (all pages)
- Photo ID — driver's license or passport
- List of current debts (cards, student loans, auto)
- Gift letter, if family is helping with down payment
Get a personalized first-time buyer plan.
Tell me a little about your situation and I'll come back with a realistic price range, payment estimate, and the loan programs that fit you best.
The questions first-time buyers actually ask me.
How much do I really need for a down payment?
As little as 3% with Conventional 97, 3.5% with FHA, and 0% with VA or USDA if you qualify. In the Bay Area, most first-time buyers I work with put 5–10% down — not 20%.
What credit score do I need to buy a home?
620 is the practical floor for most programs, 580 with FHA in some cases. Best pricing kicks in around 740. If you're under, we can usually map a 60–90 day plan to get there.
How much income do I need to qualify?
Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio, not just gross pay. As a rough rule, your total housing payment plus other debts should land under ~45% of gross monthly income.
Do I need to be a citizen to buy a home in California?
No. Permanent residents and many work-visa holders qualify for the same loan programs as citizens. Non-QM options cover most other situations.
How long does the whole process take?
From first call to keys, plan on 45–60 days if you're house-hunting actively. Once you're in contract, closing typically takes 21–30 days.
Ready to find out what you actually qualify for?
A 15-minute conversation can save you weeks of guessing. No credit pull, no commitment — just clarity.