Understand the process.
Explore down-payment options, get comfortable with the numbers, and know what to expect before you make an offer.
Buy a home
How much can I afford? What loan fits me? What comes next?
Start Here
Explore down-payment options, get comfortable with the numbers, and know what to expect before you make an offer.
Compare financing choices when selling and buying at the same time, with clarity around timing and cash.
Review rental-property financing, including conventional, DSCR, and other eligible paths, alongside your cash-flow goals.
Explore financing for a second home, with a clear view of the down payment, ongoing costs, and how your intended use affects your options.
Common homebuying myths
Many buyers assume they need perfect credit, 20% down, or every detail figured out before talking to a lender. A conversation can replace those assumptions with real options.
Ask a Question See What You Qualify ForMany eligible programs offer lower down-payment paths.
Early preparation can make your search and offer much stronger.
Points, fees, mortgage insurance, and long-term plans also matter.
We started the process not knowing if we were in a good position to buy and with Julie's help we ended up with our dream home. Julie went above and beyond in every step of our journey.
Julie somehow found a way to make me feel calm and relieved during the loan process, which is normally a stressful time. I felt like I could ask her anything, and she would give me her honest opinion backed by professional experience.
Julie is truly incredible! She made sure we understood every step and made sure all our questions were answered. She made everything so easy and run so seamlessly.
You will never feel lost or rushed
The details vary, but the experience should always feel organized and supported.
Talk through budget, timing, property, and priorities.
Submit the needed information and compare loan paths.
Use a clear price range and a stronger offer strategy.
Move through processing, underwriting, and conditions.
Review final numbers, sign, and receive your keys.
Compare the paths
Program names are only a starting point. Eligibility, property, credit, income, cash, and long-term goals shape the right fit.
| Program | What it is | Often considered by |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Flexible financing with a broad range of property and term options. | First-time, move-up, second-home, and investment buyers. |
| FHA | Government-insured financing with flexible qualification features. | Buyers comparing lower down-payment or more flexible credit paths. |
| VA | A benefit for eligible veterans, service members, and qualifying spouses. | Eligible military borrowers purchasing a primary home. |
| USDA | Government-backed financing for eligible borrowers and properties. | Buyers considering qualifying rural or suburban areas. |
| Jumbo | Financing above standard conforming loan limits. | Buyers purchasing higher-priced homes. |
Purchase calculator
Estimate a payment or home-price range, then review the full monthly cost and cash needed with Julie.
Estimated total monthly payment
—per month
| Principal & interest | — |
|---|---|
| Homeowners insurance | — |
| Mortgage insurance | — |
| Property taxes | — |
| HOA dues | — |
| Total monthly payment | — |
Taxes and insurance are monthly budget amounts, whether paid through escrow or separately. The estimate excludes other closing costs, utilities, maintenance, and future changes to taxes, insurance, or mortgage insurance. Loan eligibility and limits are not assessed.
Conventional PMI starts at an illustrative 0.38% annually; Jumbo starts at 0%. Replace these with a lender estimate. FHA and USDA monthly insurance estimates use the starting loan balance; actual premiums use program-specific balance calculations and may change over time. The interest rate is an illustration, not a current offer.
Fee references: HUD FHA premiums, VA funding fees, and USDA fees.
Estimated home price
—
Your income and debt budget does not leave room for a home purchase with these costs. Try adjusting the inputs or review your options with Julie.
| Principal & interest | — |
|---|---|
| Homeowners insurance | — |
| Private mortgage insurance | — |
| Property taxes | — |
| HOA dues | — |
| Total monthly payment | — |
The home price estimate includes your down payment. Your selected debt-to-income budget is applied to gross monthly income, minus the debts you enter. The remaining housing budget covers principal, interest, estimated PMI, taxes, insurance, and HOA dues.
Taxes, insurance, and HOA are fixed monthly estimates; update them for the property you are considering. PMI defaults to an illustrative 0.38% annually and varies by lender and borrower. The interest rate is an illustration, not a current offer.
Set aside separate funds for closing costs and reserves. Utilities, maintenance, future cost changes, loan eligibility, and program limits are not assessed. This estimates a conventional fixed-rate loan; other programs have different costs and requirements.
Estimated total monthly payment
—per month
| Principal & interest | — |
|---|---|
| Homeowners insurance | — |
| Mortgage insurance | — |
| Property taxes | — |
| HOA dues | — |
| Total monthly payment | — |
Compares principal and interest only. A lower payment over a longer term can increase total interest. Break-even measures recovery of cash closing costs, not lifetime savings.
Taxes and insurance are monthly budget amounts, whether paid through escrow or separately. The estimate excludes other closing costs, utilities, maintenance, and future changes to taxes, insurance, or mortgage insurance. Loan eligibility and limits are not assessed. Enter the proposed new loan amount, including any cash out and other financed closing costs, before the upfront government fee. This tool supports base loans up to the property value; that is a calculator limit, not an eligibility rule.
Conventional PMI starts at an illustrative 0.38% annually; Jumbo starts at 0%. Replace these with a lender estimate. FHA and USDA monthly insurance estimates use the starting loan balance; actual premiums use program-specific balance calculations and may change over time. The interest rate is an illustration, not a current offer. FHA uses standard premiums; historical streamline exceptions and upfront-premium refunds are not modeled. USDA refinance eligibility and benefit requirements are not assessed. For VA, select cash-out/non-IRRRL or IRRRL to apply the corresponding fee.
Fee references: HUD FHA premiums, VA funding fees, and USDA fees.
Planning estimates only. Payment estimates include the housing costs you enter. Refinance savings compare principal and interest only. This is not a quote, approval, or commitment to lend.
Top purchase questions
Get the basics here, then ask Julie how they apply to your exact situation.
“As first-time homebuyers, we had a lot of questions, and she was always so patient, responsive, and knowledgeable. She made the entire process feel smooth and stress-free.”
Google review
Your comfortable price range depends on income, monthly debts, available cash, loan program, taxes, insurance, and the payment you want to live with. A calculator is a useful first look; a personalized review gives you a much more reliable number.
There is no single best loan for everyone. Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and specialized programs each solve different problems. Julie compares the payment, cash needed, qualification rules, and long-term cost before recommending a path.
A pre-qualification is an early estimate based mainly on information you provide. A pre-approval is a more complete review of credit, income, assets, and documentation, and usually gives sellers more confidence in your offer.
Often, no. Some conventional programs allow lower down payments, while eligible VA and USDA borrowers may have zero-down options. The best choice depends on eligibility, mortgage insurance, cash reserves, and the total monthly payment.
Rates are shaped by daily market conditions and by details such as credit, down payment, loan type, property use, loan term, points, and debt-to-income ratio. That is why a personalized quote is more useful than an advertised average.
That's okay. Many of my clients start with questions, not applications.
Let's Talk About Where You Stand Explore Your OptionsI loved working with Julie! She was so patient with me and helped answer all my questions when buying my first home. I will definitely be going to her again in the future!
As a first-time home buyer, she fielded all of my questions, gave a ton of helpful context, and helped me understand every step of the process.
We had the best experience ever with Julie. Between our hunting and tournament schedules she was so patient and helpful in helping us buy our first home.
Julie helped us buy our first home in Mapleton. She knew the answer to every single question we asked and kept us informed every step of the way.
We started the process not knowing if we were in a good position to buy. With Julie's help we ended up with our dream home. Julie went above and beyond in every step of our journey.
No pressure. Just honest guidance.
Start with a no-pressure conversation, get clear numbers, and move forward when you are ready.