Buying
First-Time Homebuyer Guide
A plain-English guide to buying your first home on California's Central Coast: what lenders look at, what to save, and the order to do things in.
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Understand the process before you're in it.
Short, honest explanations of the questions Vicky answers every week — written for real borrowers, not for lenders.
Buying
Understanding Mortgage Pre-Approval
What pre-approval is, how it differs from pre-qualification, what documents you need, and how long it lasts.
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Buying When You're Self-Employed
How self-employed and 1099 borrowers qualify for a mortgage, including bank statement and alternative documentation options.
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California Down Payment Assistance
How down payment assistance works in California, who typically qualifies, and what to confirm before relying on a program.
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Conventional vs. FHA
A straightforward comparison of conventional and FHA financing: credit, down payment, mortgage insurance and property considerations.
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What Is a DSCR Loan?
DSCR loans qualify investment property financing on rental income instead of personal income documentation. Here's how the ratio works.
Read guideIncome
Understanding Non-QM Mortgages
What Non-QM means, which borrowers it serves, and how alternative documentation programs are structured.
Read guideRefinancing
Refinancing Explained
How to evaluate a refinance: rate-and-term versus cash-out, break-even math, and when staying put is the better decision.
Read guideInvesting
Investment Property Financing
Financing options for rental and investment property in California, including conventional investor loans and DSCR programs.
Read guideBuying
Preparing to Buy a Home
A practical checklist for the 6–12 months before you buy: credit, savings, documentation and the mistakes that delay approvals.
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Let's talk through your options.
A conversation costs nothing and clarifies everything. Tell Vicky where you are and she'll tell you honestly what's possible — including when waiting is the smarter move.
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