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Make a smart choice on a home you love

Whether this is your first time or you’ve done this before, we’ll help you get the right mortgage for your financial goals!

Get Started

10,689

Families Helped

#1

Best of North Coast

18

Years as a Team

In-House

Operations

5-Star

Reviews

Make a smart choice on a home you love

Whether this is your first time or you’ve done this before, we’ll help you get the right mortgage for your financial goals!

Book A Consultation

Your dream of home ownership starts here

Are you ready to own your piece of the American Dream? Buying a home for the first time is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Which mortgage should you choose? How much money you need for a down payment? What factors make a home a smart investment?

We believe you should get one-on-one support as you navigate the biggest purchase of your life, and we’ll be by your side, answering questions and offering guidance along the way to make your dreams of homeownership a reality!

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Make smart financial decisions

Being a first-time homebuyer has unique advantages. We’ll help you choose the right mortgage to accomplish your specific financial goals.

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Understand how credit works

You shouldn’t give up on your dream of home ownership just because your credit isn’t up to par. We’ll show you how to get there.

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Get step-by-step guidance

We do this all day, every day. We’ll guide you from pre-
approval to close and make the process of owning a home simple and stress-free.

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Enjoy a fast and easy closing

Our team is proactive and extremely sharp, which means we can close on your home very quickly (usually within 30 days).

How to get a first-time homebuyer loan

Four simple steps, with a real person guiding you through each one.

Talk with us

Share your goals and timeline. We'll walk you through your options by phone, video, or in person.

Get pre-approved

We review your finances so you know your price range before you start shopping.

Find your home

Shop with your agent and make an offer. We keep your financing lined up as you go.

Close and get your keys

We verify your documents and order the appraisal. Then you review your final numbers, sign, and pick up the keys.

Get Started

Common questions

First-time buyer FAQs

What is the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?

Pre-qualification is a quick estimate of what you might be able to borrow, based on information you share. Pre-approval is a deeper review. You complete an application and provide income, asset, and credit documentation, and the lender evaluates it before issuing a letter. A pre-approval letter shows sellers you're a serious buyer, but it isn't a final loan commitment. Final approval depends on the property and a full underwriting review. Reach out to our team, and we'll walk you through the next step.

How much down payment do I need to buy a home?

It depends on the loan program. Some conventional programs allow as little as 3% down, FHA loans allow as little as 3.5% down, and many VA loans don't require a down payment. A larger down payment can lower your monthly payment and may reduce or eliminate mortgage insurance. Jumbo and non-QM loans often require more. Get in touch, and our team will help you compare your options.

How much house can I afford?

Lenders look at your income, monthly debts, credit, down payment, and savings. A key measure is your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which compares your monthly debt payments with your gross monthly income. Beyond approval, consider what monthly payment fits your budget, including taxes, insurance, and any HOA dues. A pre-approval can give you a clearer price range. Reach out to our team, and we'll help you work through all of this.

What closing costs should I expect when buying a home?

Closing costs typically include lender fees, an appraisal, title and escrow charges, recording fees, prepaid taxes and insurance, and interest. They vary by loan, price, and location. Your Loan Estimate lists your costs within 3 business days of applying, and your Closing Disclosure shows final numbers before closing. In some cases, a seller may contribute toward costs, depending on the loan program. Contact our team, and we will walk you through what to expect.

What is the difference between conventional, FHA, and VA loans?

Conventional loans aren't insured or guaranteed by the federal government and often fit borrowers with stronger credit and down payments. FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and allow lower credit scores and down payments. VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible Veterans, active-duty and retired military, and certain surviving spouses, and often require no down payment. The best fit depends on your finances and goals.

What is a jumbo loan?

A jumbo loan is a mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limits set each year by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Limits are higher in high-cost areas, and jumbo loans often have stricter credit, reserve, and down payment requirements. In higher-priced markets such as San Diego, jumbo financing may be needed for some purchases.

What are the advantages and disadvantages to establishing an impound account?

Advantages: Through the collection of these housing expenses gradually throughout the year, this helps avoid the sticker shock when these sometimes large and infrequent (typically once or twice a year) bills become due. Assurance money to pay those bills will be there when the bill(s) come due. Your mortgage servicer will manage this account and pay the bills on your behalf.

Disadvantages: Unable to collect interest on money held in the impound account. Decrease the amount of money you can put in an emergency fund since the lender keeps a little extra in your impound account, in order to ensure the extra cushion needed in order to keep making the insurance and tax payments if you stop making your monthly mortgage payments. If you have the option of “waiving” impounds, you will typically pay a fee of .125% of the loan amount at closing or opt to take a slightly higher mortgage rate.

What does it mean to get cross qualified?

To be cross qualified means that the listing agent will require the buyer to submit a second mortgage loan application to a lender of the seller’s choosing. Typically the listing agent is trying to protect the seller’s interests by ensuring the buyer has a strong probability of being able to obtain a loan. This allows for a “second set of eyes” to validate the pre-qualification letter submitted to the buyers lender. While a buyer can never be forced to use a particular lender, it is in the seller’s best interest to have offers, with loans, cross qualified.

Does shopping for a mortgage hurt my credit score?

Not much, if you shop within a short window. Each lender credit check can have a small effect on your score, but within a 45-day window, multiple mortgage credit checks are recorded as a single inquiry. That lets you compare lenders and Loan Estimates without stacking up penalties. Some scoring models use a shorter window, so aim to compare offers within about 2 weeks.

What is the difference between APR and interest rate?

The interest rate is the yearly cost of borrowing the loan amount, shown as a percentage. The APR (annual percentage rate) includes the interest rate plus certain lender fees and costs, so it reflects a more complete yearly cost of the loan. Use the APR to compare loan offers side by side, and review your Loan Estimate for the full details.

What is a home appraisal and why do I need one?

An appraisal is an independent estimate of a home's market value, completed by a licensed appraiser. Your lender requires one to confirm the home is worth enough to support the loan amount. It is different from a home inspection, which checks the condition of the property. If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, your loan officer and agent can review options, such as renegotiating the price or bringing more cash to closing.

What is a contingency removal date?

A contingency removal date is the deadline to complete or remove a condition in your home purchase contract. A loan contingency lets you cancel without losing your earnest money deposit if you can't secure financing by that date. Contracts often include similar protections for the appraisal and home inspection. Once you remove a contingency, you generally can't back out for that reason without risking your deposit, so confirm your loan status with your loan officer before each deadline.

What are supplemental taxes?

Supplemental taxes are an extra property tax bill that California counties issue after a home is sold or new construction is completed. The county reassesses the property at its new value starting the first day of the month after the change. The bill covers the difference for the rest of the tax year. It is typically the buyer's responsibility, usually isn't included in an impound account, and often isn't sent to the lender, so ask your lender who pays.

For more information, you can watch this video from the County of San Diego that explains supplemental tax bills and how they work. Most counties have their own website that can be searched for additional information as well.

What is an impound account and do I need one?

An impound account, also called an escrow account, is held by your lender or servicer to pay your property taxes and homeowners insurance. You pay one twelfth of the yearly amount with each mortgage payment, and the servicer pays the bills when they're due. The upside is no large lump-sum bills. The downsides are a higher monthly payment and no interest on the balance. Many government-backed loans require one. For other loans it depends on your down payment and lender, and waiving it may cost a fee or a higher rate.

Why does a lender need so much documentation for a mortgage?

Federal rules require lenders to make a reasonable, good-faith determination that you can repay a mortgage, and investors who buy loans expect the file to support that decision. That's why lenders verify income, assets, credit, and the property itself. Gathering pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements, and ID early is the best way to avoid delays.

How does my lender decide how much to collect for taxes and insurance?

Your servicer estimates your yearly property tax and insurance bills and collects one twelfth each month. Federal rules require an annual review of the account. Any excess is typically refunded or credited, and a shortage is billed to you or added to your payment, so your monthly payment can change even with a fixed rate. FHA and USDA loans generally require an impound account, and for conventional loans it often depends on your down payment.

What is the best time of year to get a mortgage?

There is no single best month to get a mortgage, because the right time depends more on your finances and goals than on the calendar. Winter, including December, can mean less competition and more motivated sellers, while spring and summer bring more listings and more buyers. Interest rates follow the broader economy, not the season, so they can't be reliably timed by month. The best time is when your credit, savings, and income are ready and the payment fits your budget. A loan officer can help you see where you stand.

What People Are Saying About Us

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Working with Garrett and his team was an outstanding experience from start to finish. They were knowledgeable, professional, patient, and always available to answer my questions throughout the entire home buying process. They kept me informed every step of the way, explained everything clearly, and made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and manageable. I truly appreciated their honesty, responsiveness, and dedication to helping me secure the best loan for my new home. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a trustworthy and reliable loan officer.

Google
Behnoosh N.
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“

Garrett was an awesome resource helping us along the way to finding our perfect home at the best price for us! He put in the extra effort to make sure we were competitive during offering, and that everything was on time for closing. I highly recommend!

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Melinda L.
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Garret was extremely knowledgeable and went above and beyond to support us with our home buying experience. He helped us move quickly to qualify and complete a short escrow on time. With the help of Garrett and his team, we were able to beat out an all cash offer on the home we wanted and get our loan approved quickly at a competitive rate. I would definitely recommend him to other friends and family looking for a lender.

Google
Amy Z.
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I cannot thank this team enough for all of their hard work and effort to make this happen for me. It was a pleasure working with each team member because they were professional, Efficient and considerate of my time. Garrett was patient and spent so much time explaining things to me in a way that I would understand. He answered all of my questions no matter how big or small. Sam is an absolute blessing, I’m so grateful to have met him. I can go on and on about this team and how amazing they were to me but I truly cannot thank them enough for all that they’ve done for me.

Google
Stacy M.
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“

The team was amazing to work with. Professionalism, transparency, and an extreme sense of urgency to do what needs to get done on time. They also have a great portal to upload all necessary documentation to help maintain data security. If I had more stars I would score the company higher. They helped us purchase a dream second home, and we couldn't be happier. I've worked with many other lenders in past, and these people are by far the best! I won't think twice before working with them again.

Google
Imtiaz H.
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Working with this team is a dream. The process is very easy and very well-explained. The follow-up is prompt and polite. It seems that the process is over before you know it. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM!!!

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Robert M.
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From the beginning to the end of our escrow, everyone on the team was absolutely amazing! In our previous home purchase, we had a horrible experience with our lender and were very apprehensive going forward. But everyone we worked with was professional, helpful, and always available! We felt supported every step of the way and everyone was just so kind and easy to work with! I would HIGHLY recommend this team to anyone going forward!!! We couldn't be more happy!

Yelp
Kelli M.
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The team is absolutely fantastic! I would highly recommend them for both a new purchase and a refinance, I have done both with them. They are extremely attentive and kept me updated every step of the way, whether is was from cool video emails to responding to my evening questions. They got me a fantastic rate and made the process very painless, both times!

Yelp
Tyler M.
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I worked with this mortgage company to get a loan done quickly. I was closing on a foreclosure from a reverse mortgage. They got things done on time, they communicated perfectly through the process, they took away stress and worry for me. A+ highly recommend using them to make a stressful time/buying a home easier.

Google
Justin G.
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My mortgage was not the normal garden variety. The team did an amazing job. The process was fast, clean and easy. Immediate response to any question/concerns. I could not be happier in their performance. Thanks everyone.

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Gary A.
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Let's find the right loan for your family

Whether you're buying a home, refinancing, or exploring non-QM and jumbo options, our team will walk through your goals and give you a clear plan.

Book Your Free Consultation

10,689

Families Helped

#1

Best of North Coast

18

Years as a Team

In-House

Operations

5-Star

Reviews