The buyers who win in California's market aren't always the ones with the biggest budget, they're the prepared ones. A real plan, started early, turns the process from stressful to almost boring. Boring is good in mortgages.
The plan, step by step
- The conversation (start here, even a year out). A 20-minute call with Jackie maps your income, savings, credit, and timeline against real programs. Free, and no strings attached.
- Credit tune-up. Small moves, paying down a card balance, correcting a report error, can meaningfully improve your pricing. Jackie will tell you exactly which moves matter for your file.
- Down payment strategy. You likely don't need 20%. Options run from 3-3.5% down (FHA and conventional first-timer programs) to $0 down for eligible Veterans (VA loans). Gift funds and assistance programs can help too.
- Real pre-approval. Not a website pre-qualification, a documented approval your offer can lean on. In competitive markets, listing agents notice the difference.
- Shop with clarity. You'll know your true monthly payment, taxes and insurance included, before you fall in love with anything.
- Offer to keys. Weekly status updates, coordinated escrow, and on-time closing. Jackie has closed purchases in as little as three weeks when the contract demanded it.
Programs first-time buyers use most
- Conventional 3-5% down, strong credit, straightforward income
- FHA, 3.5% down with flexible credit guidelines
- VA, $0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible Veterans
- Bank statement, for self-employed buyers
- Jumbo from 10% down, yes, first-time jumbo buyers are real in California
Frequently asked questions
How much do I really need for a down payment?
Often far less than you think: 3-3.5% on conventional and FHA programs, and $0 for eligible Veterans. The fuller answer includes closing costs and reserves, which is why the plan starts with a real conversation, not a rule of thumb.
What credit score do I need to buy a home?
FHA guidelines accommodate scores lower than most people expect, and conventional pricing improves as scores rise. If your score needs work, Jackie will show you the two or three specific moves that matter, months before you shop.
Should I get pre-approved before talking to agents?
Yes. A documented pre-approval defines your realistic budget, strengthens your offer, and prevents the heartbreak of shopping above your approval. Most agents will ask for one anyway.
My spouse and I are both self-employed. Can we still buy our first home?
Absolutely, Anna and Vito, two work-from-home entrepreneurs, bought their first home through Jackie with a 10% down jumbo loan and now pay less on their mortgage than they did in rent. Their story and others →