Start with a mortgage pre-approval, not with browsing listings. It tells you your real budget, makes your offer one sellers take seriously, and shows which local down-payment assistance you qualify for. Then shop in the price bands and towns that fit. The order is everything: money first, home second.
The steps, in order
- Get pre-approved first. A local lender confirms your budget and hands you a letter that makes your offers competitive. This is step one, before you tour a single home.
- Know your real down-payment number. You likely don't need 20% — many first-time buyers put down far less, and there's local help (see below).
- Search the right price band. Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, and Windsor tend to have the most attainable entry-level options; your pre-approval sets the range.
- Make a strong, clean offer and lean on your agent through inspections, appraisal, and closing.
Local help most first-time buyers miss
Sonoma County offers down-payment assistance for first-time buyers — including a County program that can provide substantial secondary financing at below-market rates for those who qualify, plus state (CalHFA) options. Most buyers never find out they were eligible. A good local lender will tell you which programs fit you before you shop — and I'll connect you with lenders who actually know these programs.
The mistake to avoid
Falling for homes before getting pre-approved. It leads to heartbreak, offers sellers pass over, and missing assistance you qualified for. Do the money step first — then the fun part is actually fun.
Not sure where to start? Start here.
In 15 minutes I'll walk you through the exact steps for your situation, connect you with a local lender who knows the assistance programs, and map out what your first home could realistically look like.
If it turns out you’re better off renting another year and building your down payment, I’ll tell you that. You keep the roadmap either way.
Book a first-time buyer call707-849-6775 · alicia@excelleraterealestate.com · DRE #02272644