Buying your first home comes with questions. How much can you comfortably afford? What should you save? Where do you begin?
I’m Beatriz A. Villegas. I’ll help you understand your mortgage options, the costs to prepare for, and your next steps—with clear guidance in English or Spanish. Whether you’re ready to buy or planning ahead, we can start with a conversation.
Your First Home Starts with a Clear Plan
How I Help You Prepare
Understand Your Budget
We’ll discuss your goals and what a comfortable monthly housing payment looks like for you, including expenses beyond the mortgage.
Plan for Upfront Costs
I’ll explain the down payment, closing costs, and savings to consider so you can prepare with a clearer picture.
Explore Your Mortgage Options
We’ll discuss financing options and whether first-time-buyer or down payment assistance programs may fit your circumstances.
Know Your Next Steps
I’ll help you understand which documents to gather, how preapproval works, and what to prepare before you begin shopping for a home.
During our 30-minute phone conversation, we’ll talk about your homebuying goals, timeline, and questions. We’ll discuss what you’ve prepared so far and what you may need to review next, including your budget, savings, credit, and income documentation.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before we talk. Whether you’re ready to begin or planning ahead, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your next steps.
Consultations are available in English and Spanish.
What Happens During Your Consultation
Your Homebuyer Preparation Checklist
Planning for your first home? Start with a few practical steps. This checklist will help you organize your finances, gather useful documents, and prepare questions for your mortgage consultation.
You don’t have to complete everything before we talk. Use it as a starting point, and we’ll work through your next steps together.
First-Time Homebuyers Questions
Do I need to be ready to buy before scheduling a consultation?
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No. Whether you’re ready to buy or just planning ahead, we can discuss your goals, answer your questions, and identify your next steps. You don’t need to have everything figured out before we talk.
How much money should I save?
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Your savings goal depends on your home price, loan options, and financial situation. We’ll discuss the down payment, closing costs, and other expenses, while allowing room for an emergency cushion. We can also explore whether assistance programs may be available to you.
What documents will I need?
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For our first conversation, bring your questions and a general idea of your income, monthly debts, and savings. When you’re ready to move forward, documents may include recent pay stubs, W-2s or 1099s, bank statements, and identification. Additional documents may be needed depending on your situation. I’ll explain what to gather and how to send it securely.
What is mortgage preapproval?
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Preapproval is a lender’s preliminary assessment of how much you may be able to borrow, based on information about your income, credit, debts, and savings. It helps guide your home search and shows sellers you’re taking steps toward financing. It is not a guarantee; final approval depends on meeting the lender’s requirements and reviewing the property.