Mortgage FAQ.

It depends on your loan type and the property. VA loans can be 0% down for eligible veterans. USDA is 0% in rural areas. FHA is 3.5% down. Conventional can be 3% for first-time buyers with strong credit. And California has 200+ Down Payment Assistance programs that can cover most or all of your down payment, many even add closing-cost help. Use the DPA Finder to see exactly what you qualify for.

Different programs have different requirements. FHA loans accept lower scores than conventional. VA loans are flexible. Non-QM bank statement loans look at income differently. Each scenario is unique, book a call and I'll tell you exactly what programs your profile qualifies for without doing a hard credit pull.

Absolutely. I specialize in Non-QM loans including bank statement loans (12 or 24 months of personal or business statements), 1099 income programs, and asset depletion loans. You don't have to show two years of W-2s to buy a home. Many of my self-employed clients close with deposits as their qualifying income.

Typical purchase loan: 12-21 days from contract to close. Refinances: similar timeline. The 5 Day HELOC can close in as little as 5 business days. Speed depends on appraisal scheduling, title work, and how quickly you provide documents.

If you have an active VA loan and want to buy another home using VA financing, you can use your remaining 'Tier 2' entitlement. Whether you owe a down payment depends on your specific county's 2026 Fannie Mae loan limit, your original loan balance, and your new purchase price. Try the VA 2nd Use Calculator for a personalized answer.

Yes, most DPA programs work with FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loans. CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program, GSFA Platinum, and Chenoa Fund all layer with primary mortgages to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. The DPA Finder lets you stack-search to maximize your assistance.

FHA loans accept lower credit scores, require 3.5% down, and use mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. Conventional loans require higher credit, 3-5% minimum down, but mortgage insurance can be removed once you reach 20% equity. Conventional is usually cheaper long-term IF you qualify. Read my full breakdown: see the blog.

No. Pre-approval consultations, strategy calls, scenario analysis, DPA program research, and education are all free. You only pay when you actually close a loan, and even then, my compensation is built into industry-standard pricing, not added on top.

I'm licensed in California, New Jersey, and 47 other states through PRMG's national lending platform. Not licensed in New York. Reach out if you're buying in any state and I'll tell you immediately whether I can help.

Don't assume you don't qualify. I've closed loans for clients fresh out of bankruptcy, foreclosure, or short sale. There are non-QM programs specifically designed for credit rebuilds. Sometimes a 6-12 month plan to improve credit gets you a much better rate, and I'll tell you the truth either way.

Yes, both traditional conventional investor loans and DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans. DSCR loans don't require personal income documentation, they qualify based on the rental income of the property itself. Perfect for investors building portfolios. Try the DSCR Calculator on the Calculators page.

PRMG's 5 Day HELOC lets you tap your home equity in as little as 5 business days. It's a second-position line of credit that doesn't touch your existing first mortgage rate. Perfect for renovation funding, debt consolidation, investment property down payments, or college tuition. Apply here.

Yes, PRMG offers a Buy Before You Sell program that lets move-up buyers purchase their next home without having to sell first. This eliminates the contingency offer disadvantage in competitive markets. Full details here.

Speed, access, and accountability. I have direct relationships with PRMG underwriters which means complex scenarios get solved in hours not weeks. I offer 50+ loan programs vs. the 4-5 a retail bank rep can pitch. And when something goes sideways at 9pm two days before closing, you can text me directly and get an answer. Big banks don't do that.