Personalized Mortgage Solutions in English and Spanish

Yes. I work with clients entirely in Spanish or English — from the first conversation through application, underwriting and closing. You will never have to rely on a family member to translate a document you are signing, and I will explain every disclosure in the language you are most comfortable in.

Generally two years of work history, two recent pay stubs, two years of W-2s or tax returns, two months of bank statements, and a valid photo ID. Your credit will be reviewed — FHA loans often work with scores as low as 580. Every situation is different, so the fastest way to know where you stand is a conversation.

You do not need 20%. Conventional loans start at 3% down for many first-time buyers, FHA requires 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans require nothing down. On a $275,000 home that is roughly $8,250 to $9,625, plus closing costs. Iowa assistance programs can lower it further.

The Iowa Finance Authority offers FirstHome for first-time buyers and Homes for Iowans for first-time and repeat buyers, both with below-market rates. Either can be paired with a $2,500 grant or a second loan of up to 5% of the price toward down payment and closing costs. A 640 credit score is required, income and price limits apply, and funding is limited.

FHA loans often work with scores as low as 580. Conventional loans usually start around 620, and Iowa assistance programs require 640. If your score is not there yet, I can tell you specifically what would move it and roughly how long that would take.

Yes. Most loan programs allow a gift from a family member. The person giving it signs a letter confirming it is not a loan, and we need to document where the money came from. Deposit it early rather than the week of closing — that makes everything simpler.

Closing costs are the fees to finalize the loan — usually 2% to 5% of the price, so about $5,500 to $13,750 on a $275,000 home. They include the appraisal, title work, lender fees, and the first year of insurance and taxes. Sometimes the seller can pay part of them.

Mortgage insurance protects the lender when you put down less than 20%. On a conventional loan it comes off once you reach 20% equity. On an FHA loan it usually stays for the life of the loan. It is a real cost, and I will show it to you inside the monthly payment from the very beginning.

Pre-approval usually takes one to three business days once you send your documents. After your offer is accepted, most purchases close in 30 to 45 days. I will tell you at every step exactly where we are and what comes next.

Do not buy a car, open new credit cards, change jobs, or move large amounts of money between accounts without telling me first. The lender verifies everything again right before closing. If something has to change, call me first and we will plan around it.

Self-employed borrowers absolutely qualify — usually with two years of tax returns, or with 12 to 24 months of bank statements if your write-offs make your reported income look lower than your real cash flow. Income has to be documented and deposited to be counted, which is why depositing your earnings consistently matters more than most people realize.

Get pre-approved before you start looking. It costs nothing, there is no obligation, and it tells you your real budget instead of a guess. It also gives us time to fix anything that needs fixing before you find a house you love.

I am a bilingual mortgage loan officer with Key Mortgage Group's Des Moines office in Urbandale, Iowa, NMLS #2314777, serving Spanish- and English-speaking clients across central Iowa.