First responder home loans
Home loans for California firefighters, police and EMS
Overtime, 24 hour shifts and specialty pay can make a mortgage harder than it should be. I know how to document first responder income so you qualify for what you actually earn, plus you get savings at closing.
Hero Payment Worksheet
EXAMPLE NUMBERS · EDIT ANY FIELDEstimate only, 30 year fixed. Your actual rate depends on credit, loan amount and program. The example rate is not a quote. HOA not included.
Home loans for firefighters
Firefighter pay is rarely just a base salary. Overtime, constant staffing, strike team deployments and acting pay can add up to a big part of your income. Most programs will count it once you have about a two year history, averaged out. If your overtime is trending up, that helps. I'll pull your pay stubs and W2s together and show you exactly what an underwriter will count before you start shooting for a price range.
Firefighters who have served in the military can also use a VA loan with zero down. And if your schedule is 48 on, 96 off, that's great, we can do the whole thing around your days off.
Home loans for police officers and deputies
Police officers and sheriff's deputies often earn shift differentials, specialty assignment pay and court overtime on top of base pay. Those can usually count with the right history. A lot of officers also want to live outside the community they patrol, so we'll compare a few areas side by side and figure out where your payment feels comfortable.
Just graduated the academy? A new full time position with a signed offer can often qualify you right away, even without a long job history at the department.
Home loans for paramedics and EMTs
EMS schedules are overtime heavy, and many paramedics and EMTs work a second job. Second job income can count with a two year history of working both. I'll make sure every dollar that should count is in your approval so you're not leaving buying power on the table.
Programs first responders use
- VA loans for veterans and service members, zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance
- FHA loans with 3.5% down and flexible credit
- Conventional loans with as little as 3% down for first time buyers
- California down payment assistance programs, which can be combined with your first mortgage
- Hero savings at closing when you work with me
Keys for Those Who Serve savings at closing
Firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, military, healthcare workers and teachers, current or retired, get savings at closing on their loan. Ask me for the details on your scenario.
Questions heroes ask me
First responder mortgage questions
Are there special home loans for first responders?
There isn't one government loan just for first responders, but you have strong options: VA if you've served, FHA with as little as 3.5% down, conventional with 3% down for first time buyers, and California down payment assistance. On top of that, heroes who work with me get savings at closing.
Will my overtime count?
Usually, yes, with about a two year history. Lenders average it, so a big overtime year can help a lot. If you just started picking up overtime, I'll show you what counts today and what will count later.
I just graduated the academy. Can I buy a home?
Often, yes. A new full time job in your field with a written offer can qualify you, even without two years at the department, especially if you were in school or the military before.
Can I buy outside the county I work in?
Yes. Plenty of San Diego and Orange County first responders buy in Riverside County or further out to get more house. I'll run the numbers on both so you can compare.
Do I need 20% down?
No. VA can be zero down, FHA is 3.5% down, and conventional starts at 3% down for first time buyers. Putting less down is often the smarter move for a first home.