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.
Book a first-time buyer call707-849-6775 · alicia@excelleraterealestate.com · DRE #02272644