Buyers
Buying your first home shouldn't feel like a guessing game.
Here's the whole process laid out, and the math so you know what you can actually afford before we tour anything.
Process
Six steps, no mystery
1. Get underwritten, not just pre-qualified
A real underwriting review tells you your actual number and makes your offer credible. Pre-qualification is a guess.
2. Set the monthly, not the price
We back into a price from a payment you're comfortable with, including taxes, insurance, HOA and any special assessments.
3. Tour with a filter
I'll tell you what's wrong with a house, not just what's nice about it. Fewer showings, better ones.
4. Write an offer that gets taken seriously
Terms, timelines and lender credibility usually matter more than throwing money at the price.
5. Inspections and negotiation
This is where I earn my keep — reading the reports and getting repairs or credits handled.
6. Close and get keys
Typically 30–45 days. You'll know what's happening at every stage without having to chase me.
Affordability
What will it cost per month?
Mortgage calculator
Principal & interest
$3,363
Taxes / month
$551
Estimated total
$4,064
Estimate only.
FAQ
First-time buyer questions
How much do I need for a down payment in the Inland Empire?
Less than most people think. VA loans allow zero down for eligible buyers, FHA starts at 3.5%, and several conventional programs start at 3%. California also has down payment assistance programs that change frequently. The bigger constraint is usually the monthly payment, not the down payment.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
FHA loans commonly go down to a 580 score, VA lenders often want 600–620, and conventional pricing improves meaningfully above 700. If you're below where you want to be, I'll tell you what to fix and roughly how long it takes rather than sending you off to guess.
What does the home buying process look like start to finish?
Get fully underwritten with a lender, set your real monthly budget, tour and identify a target, write an offer, open escrow, complete inspections and the appraisal, negotiate repairs or credits, then final walkthrough and close. In this market that's typically 30–45 days from accepted offer to keys.
Do I pay you as a buyer?
Buyer agent compensation is negotiable and disclosed in writing before we tour. I'll show you exactly how it works in your situation, including what can be asked of the seller — no surprises at closing.