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Mortgage Guides & Home-Buying Help
Straight answers to the questions home buyers ask most — affordability, credit, down payments, loan types, and the process — written in plain English (and Spanish). Read a guide, then get pre-approved when you're ready.
How Much House Can I Afford?
A plain-English guide to how much home you can afford — the 28/36 rule, how lenders calculate it, and what changes your budget. Try our calculator or get pre-approved.
5 min read BuyingHow Much Down Payment Do You Really Need?
You may not need 20% down. A guide to real down payment minimums by loan type — 0% VA, 3.5% FHA, 3% conventional — plus down payment assistance in California.
4 min read ProgramsFHA vs. Conventional Loans: Which Is Right for You?
FHA vs conventional — the real differences in down payment, credit score, mortgage insurance, and loan limits, and how to choose the right one for your situation.
5 min read CreditWhat Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Home?
The credit scores needed for FHA, VA, conventional, and jumbo loans — plus how your score affects your rate and simple ways to improve it before you apply.
4 min read BuyingThe Mortgage Process, Explained Step by Step
From pre-approval to closing — the 7 steps of getting a mortgage, what happens at each stage, and how long it takes. Know what to expect before you start.
6 min read BuyingFirst-Time Home Buyer Guide for California
A step-by-step first-time home buyer guide for California and Southern California — from budgeting and credit to down payment assistance, programs, and getting pre-approved.
7 min readReady to talk to a person?
Get answers to your specific situation from a bilingual loan officer.