First-time buyers across Orange County, LA, and the Inland Empire
Your First Home, Without the Horror Stories
First-time buyers in Southern California have more options than they think: FHA from 3.5% down, conventional from 3% down, VA at $0 down for Veterans, plus California down-payment assistance programs. The right structure depends on your credit, income, and market — and that's a 20-minute conversation, not a rate ad.
★★★★★ 210+ five-star reviews · Free consultation · No credit pull to start
What working with Cris looks like
Read the reviews: the pattern is 'answered every question, no call or text too late, explained every step.' First-time buyers get a full walkthrough of the process before anything is signed — in English or Spanish — and a real pre-approval that listing agents take seriously.
We'll also talk about what NOT to do: no new furniture financing, no new credit cards, no big money moves between contract and closing. The boring advice that saves deals.
Programs that fit first-time buyers
- ✓ Conventional 97 — 3% down with good credit
- ✓ FHA — 3.5% down, flexible credit
- ✓ VA — $0 down for Veterans and service members
- ✓ CalHFA & local down-payment assistance where available
- ✓ Gift funds and co-borrower strategies done correctly
The Process
Getting a first-time buyer loan done
Most people put this off because it feels enormous. It isn't. Here's the whole thing.
- 0115 minutes
A real conversation
Tell Cris what you're trying to do. He'll tell you honestly what's possible, what it costs, and what to fix first. No credit pull, no obligation, English or Spanish.
- 0224–48 hours
A pre-approval that holds up
Full credit and income review — not a 10-minute pre-qual. Your agent gets a lender who calls listing agents to vouch for your file, which is how offers get accepted.
- 03Typically 21–30 days
Close on time
You get updates before you have to ask for them. Texts get answered the same day — usually within the hour. That's what 210+ five-star reviews are actually describing.
First-Time Buyers — Questions We Get Every Week
+How much do I really need for a down payment in Southern California?
Less than most people think: 3% conventional, 3.5% FHA, 0% VA. The bigger constraint is usually monthly payment comfort and closing costs — and there are assistance programs and seller-credit strategies for both. Get pre-approved and you'll know your real number in one conversation.
+What credit score do I need to buy my first home?
FHA can work from 580 (sometimes lower with compensating factors), conventional generally 620+. If you're not there yet, Cris will give you a specific plan to get there — several of his 5-star reviews are from buyers who started 'not ready.'
Rather just talk it through?
Call or text Cris directly. English or Spanish, no pressure, and no credit pull to get a straight answer about first-time buyer loans.
★★★★★ 210+ five-star reviews · Texts answered same day · Ready to apply? Start your application