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Central Coast First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Guide

Buying your first home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This Central Coast First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Guide was created by Phoebe Jaeckels, a mortgage lender serving Santa Maria, Orcutt, San Luis Obispo, and California’s Central Coast. It walks you step-by-step through the mortgage process, explains FHA, VA, USDA, and low-down-payment loan options, and gives you practical tips to prepare and qualify with confidence.

  1. What is in the First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Guide?This guide walks through the mortgage process, what documents you need, loan types like FHA/VA/USDA, and tips for preparing your finances to qualify.

  2. What credit score do I need to buy my first home?Most first-time buyers can qualify with credit scores in the mid-500s for FHA or VA loans, depending on income, debt, and down payment.

  3. Can I buy a home with low down payment on the Central Coast?Yes. FHA loans, VA loans, and some conventional programs allow low down payments — and this guide explains how.

  4. Do I need to get pre-approved before house hunting?Getting pre-approved sets your budget, shows sellers you’re serious, and speeds up your offer process — and it’s one of the first steps in this guide.

  5. What documents do I need to start the mortgage process?Pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, and ID are typical — and this guide shows a complete checklist.

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