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Why Buying a Home is the Best Investment

Welcome to The Chris Kennedy Team Mortgage Blog

Honest, local, easy-to-understand mortgage guidance for buyers and homeowners across Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo Counties.

Hi — I'm Chris Kennedy. For years, I've helped first-time buyers, veterans, families upsizing into their forever homes, and seasoned investors navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives: getting a mortgage in the greater Sacramento area.

This blog exists for one simple reason. Most mortgage advice online is generic, confusing, or written by people who've never closed a loan in Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, or Davis. I wanted to change that.

Every post on this site is written for you — the buyer, homeowner, or veteran trying to make sense of mortgages in a real Northern California market. Real numbers. Real neighborhoods. Real programs that actually work here.

What you'll find on this blog

Whether you're brand new to homebuying or you've owned for decades, you'll find practical, local guidance on every part of the mortgage process. The articles below cover:

For first-time buyers — How to qualify, how much you really need to put down, how to use CalHFA assistance, and how to stop waiting and start owning.

For veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses — Everything you need to know about putting your VA home loan benefit to work in Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, and beyond. Zero down. No PMI. The benefit you earned.

For move-up buyers and luxury buyers — Jumbo loan strategies for higher-priced markets like El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Serrano, and Bass Lake — including how to qualify, what reserves you'll need, and how to compete in luxury bidding wars.

For investors and wealth-builders — How to use FHA multi-family loans (yes, with just 3.5% down) to "house hack" your first investment property, plus the long-term wealth-building strategy that real estate quietly delivers better than almost any other investment.

For buyers in rural and semi-rural areas — A breakdown of USDA loans across Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties, where surprisingly large portions of the region qualify for $0-down financing.

For credit-building buyers — How FHA loans help buyers with imperfect credit get into Sacramento-area homes, plus practical credit improvement strategies that actually move the needle.

Why this blog is different

Three things set this content apart:

It's local. Every article names real neighborhoods, real Sacramento-area home prices, and real programs available in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties — not vague national advice.

It's honest. I tell you what works, what doesn't, what the catches are, and when a loan isn't right for you. No high-pressure pitches. No fine print buried at the bottom.

It's actionable. Every post is built so that by the end, you know what to do next — whether that's running numbers, checking eligibility, or starting a conversation.

A little about me

I've spent my career helping Sacramento-area families navigate mortgages — through every kind of market, every kind of loan, and every kind of buyer situation. I've helped:

First-time buyers close with $0–$5,000 out of pocket using FHA + CalHFA strategies
Veterans buy in Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, and El Dorado Hills with zero down
Move-up families step into luxury markets using jumbo financing
Investors build long-term wealth through smart house-hacking and refinance strategies
Self-employed borrowers other lenders turned away find creative solutions

My team and I serve the entire greater Sacramento region, including:

Sacramento County — Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Antelope, Natomas
Placer County — Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn, Loomis, Granite Bay
El Dorado County — El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Placerville, Diamond Springs, Pollock Pines
Yolo County — Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento, Winters, Esparto

If you're buying anywhere in Northern California, there's a good chance we can help.

Start exploring

Scroll down to find articles tailored to your situation. If you're not sure where to begin, here are three good starting points:

First-time buyer? Start with First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Sacramento.
Veteran or active-duty? Start with VA Home Loans: How Veterans Can Buy a Sacramento-Area Home With $0 Down.
Buying in a higher-priced market? Start with Jumbo Loans in El Dorado Hills.

Ready to talk?

Reading is great — but a 15-minute conversation will tell you more about what's possible for your specific situation than any article ever could. No pressure, no obligation, no salesy follow-up calls.

Chris Kennedy | The Chris Kennedy Team NMLS# 971546 Mortgage Lender serving Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo Counties www.thechriskennedyteam.com

[CALL NOW] | [GET PRE-APPROVED] | [SEND ME A MESSAGE]

The Chris Kennedy Team specializes in FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo, and CalHFA loans throughout Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Davis, Woodland, Auburn, Lincoln, Rocklin, Cameron Park, and the surrounding Northern California region. Browse the articles below to learn more — or reach out anytime.

Buying in Rescue, Lotus, Coloma, Camino CA

Homes in the El Dorado County foothills often come with land, a well, and a septic tank. Those details can shape your loan as much as your credit score.

This guide covers Rescue, Lotus, Coloma, and Camino, including the Apple Hill area.

What draws buyers here

More space than most of Sacramento County.
Quiet roads, trees, and views.
Drive times to Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Placerville that work for many commuters.
Orchards, wineries, and weekend foot traffic around Apple Hill.

Wells and septic

Many homes here do not use city water or sewer. Lenders may ask for water quality tests, flow tests, or a septic inspection. Build that time into your offer. Ask your Realtor which inspections to order first.

Acreage and appraisals

Larger lots can be harder to appraise. Fewer similar sales nearby means the appraiser may have to look farther out. That can slow the process. Talk to your loan officer before you fall in love with a 10 acre parcel.

Private roads

Some roads are privately maintained. Lenders often want to see a road maintenance agreement. Ask early. Missing paperwork is a common cause of delays.

Orchard and income properties

An Apple Hill property that earns money from crops, events, or short term stays is treated differently than a regular home. Income from a business on the property may not count the way you expect. Rules vary by loan program.

Insurance

Foothill insurance is its own step. Ask for quotes before you remove contingencies. See the homeowners insurance post on this blog.

VA and FHA buyers

Both can work in the foothills. Property condition and water and septic standards still apply. Zero down may be available to eligible VA buyers.

Steps to take first

Get pre-approved before touring.
Tell your loan officer if the home has a well, septic, or private road.
Order inspections early.
Get insurance quotes before you commit.

FAQ

Can I get a mortgage on a home with a well and septic? Often yes. Lenders usually want the systems tested.

Does acreage change the loan? It can. Lot size and land use can affect loan type and appraisal.

Is Apple Hill different from other parts of El Dorado County? Some properties have farm or event use. That can change how lenders view the property and income.

Can veterans use a VA loan here? Yes, if the property meets VA standards.

Chris Kennedy, NMLS #971546. Reliant Lending, 2100 Northrop Ave #900, Sacramento, CA 95825. General education only, not a loan offer. Terms depend on your situation and the property.

Chris KennedyOctober 12, 2026Comment

Sacramento Housing Blog