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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

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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.

CalVet vs VA Loan: Which Is Better in Sacramento?

If you served, you likely qualify for two separate home loan benefits in California: the federal VA loan and the state run CalVet Home Loan. Both can get you into a home with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance. The biggest difference is ownership. With a VA loan, your name goes on the title the day you close. With CalVet, the State of California holds legal title to your home until the loan is paid off. For most veterans buying in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, or Yolo counties, the VA loan wins on ownership, flexibility, rate shopping, and speed. CalVet still makes sense in a few specific situations, and we will cover those too.

First, What Is a CalVet Loan?

CalVet is a home loan program run by the California Department of Veterans Affairs. It has been around since 1921, and it is funded by state bond sales rather than private lenders.

Here is what makes it unusual:

CalVet uses a contract of sale, not a traditional mortgage. CalVet buys the home, takes legal title, and sells it to you over time. You get the grant deed when the loan is paid in full, refinanced, or the home is sold.
CalVet is the direct lender and the servicer. There is one rate for everyone who qualifies, set by CalVet based on bond costs.
The loan comes bundled with a home protection package, including hazard coverage and disaster protection at group rates.
Eligibility is broad. Generally 90 days of active duty (not counting training) and a discharge under honorable conditions. The home must be in California and must be your primary residence.

And a Quick Refresher on the VA Loan

The VA loan is your federal benefit. The Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees a portion of the loan, and private lenders compete to fund it.

Zero down payment for most eligible buyers
No monthly mortgage insurance
You hold title from day one
You can shop rates across any VA approved lender
The loan is assumable, which can be a real selling advantage later
Streamline refinancing (the IRRRL) makes it simple to lower your rate down the road

There is a one time VA funding fee, and it is waived entirely for veterans receiving VA disability compensation.

The Big Differences, Side by Side

Who Owns the Home

VA: You do. Your name is on title at closing, same as any conventional buyer.

CalVet: The state holds legal title until payoff. You have full rights to live in and enjoy the property, but the ownership structure is different, and that can complicate things like adding someone to title, certain estate planning moves, or borrowing against your equity.

This is the difference that surprises most veterans. It is not a dealbreaker for everyone, but you should know it going in.

Rate Shopping

VA: Hundreds of lenders compete for your loan. If one lender's pricing is weak, you go next door. Competition works in your favor.

CalVet: One lender, one posted rate. Some years that rate is competitive. Some years it is not. You take what the bond market gave CalVet, and you cannot shop it.

Speed

VA: A well prepared VA loan can close on a normal purchase timeline, right alongside conventional offers. In a competitive Sacramento market, that matters.

CalVet: The process typically runs slower because you are working with a state agency. In a multiple offer situation on a house in Folsom or Roseville, a slower close can cost you the home.

Insurance

VA: You shop for your own homeowners insurance. In today's California insurance market that takes some legwork, but you control the coverage and the carrier.

CalVet: Coverage is bundled into the program at group rates, including disaster protection. You give up choice, but in fire prone areas where private insurance is hard to place, this bundle can genuinely help. This is CalVet's strongest card right now.

Refinancing and Selling

VA: The IRRRL streamline refinance is one of the easiest refis in the business. And VA loans are assumable, meaning a future buyer may be able to take over your rate. In a higher rate market, an assumable low rate loan can make your home more attractive when you sell.

CalVet: Refinancing means paying off CalVet and starting over elsewhere, since the grant deed transfers at payoff. There is no equivalent to the IRRRL.

Where You Can Buy

VA: Anywhere in the country. If your next chapter takes you to Texas or Tennessee, the benefit travels with you.

CalVet: California only.

So Why Would Most Sacramento Veterans Choose VA?

Because the VA loan gives you the three things that matter most in this market:

Ownership from day one, with no strings on your title.
Competition on your rate, instead of a single posted number.
Speed and flexibility, so your offer competes with anyone else's on that house in Elk Grove or El Dorado Hills.

Add the assumability and the streamline refi, and the VA loan is simply the more powerful long term tool for building wealth through your home.

When CalVet Might Actually Be the Better Fit

Fair is fair. CalVet can make sense if:

You are buying in a high fire risk area where private homeowners insurance is difficult or extremely expensive to place, and the bundled protection package solves a real problem for you.
Your credit history has issues that traditional VA lenders have declined, since CalVet manually underwrites and gives every qualified veteran the same rate.
You simply prefer dealing with one state agency for the life of the loan.

If any of those describe you, it is worth pricing both options before you decide. And here is something many veterans do not know: you can sometimes layer the programs. CalVet offers a CalVet/VA option that uses your federal VA entitlement inside the CalVet structure. It is niche, but it exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both CalVet and a VA loan?

Not on the same home at the same time in the traditional sense, but CalVet does offer a CalVet/VA loan that uses your federal VA guaranty within the CalVet program. Most buyers still end up comparing a straight VA loan against a straight CalVet loan and picking one.

Does CalVet require a down payment?

Many CalVet borrowers qualify with little or nothing down, similar to VA. The exact requirement depends on the loan type and your qualifications.

Is the CalVet rate lower than VA rates?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. CalVet's rate depends on when the state sold its bonds. VA rates depend on the market and which lender you choose. The only way to know is to compare real quotes on the same day.

Do I really not own my home with CalVet?

You have full use and enjoyment of the property, and you build equity as you pay. But legal title stays with the State of California until the loan is paid off. That is the contract of sale structure, and it is the single biggest structural difference between the two programs.

What if I have a service connected disability?

With a VA loan, veterans receiving disability compensation are exempt from the funding fee, which can save thousands at closing. CalVet also waives its funding fee on the CalVet/VA program for veterans with a 10 percent or higher rating. Either way, your disability rating works in your favor.

Which one closes faster?

VA, in most cases. A prepared VA buyer with a full preapproval can compete head to head with conventional offers. CalVet's state agency process typically takes longer.

The Bottom Line

You earned both benefits. Use the one that fits. For most veterans buying in the Sacramento region, the VA loan delivers more ownership, more flexibility, and more negotiating power. CalVet is a legitimate niche tool, especially where insurance is the sticking point, but it should be a deliberate choice, not a default.

If you are a veteran thinking about buying in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, or Yolo County, get real numbers on both programs before you commit. Call The Chris Kennedy Team at (916) 794-0777 or visit thechriskennedyteam.com and we will walk you through the comparison for your exact situation. Chris Kennedy, NMLS #971546, Reliant Lending. This is general information, not a loan commitment or a guarantee of terms. All loans subject to qualification and program guidelines.

Chris KennedyAugust 18, 2026Comment

Sacramento Housing Blog