Sacramento Home Mortgage Loans | The Chris Kennedy Team
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Sacramento Housing Blog

Sacramento Housing Blog

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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:

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.

Is the Builder's Preferred Lender Worth It? New Construction Financing in Roseville and Rocklin

Placer County is still building. Roseville and Rocklin keep adding new subdivisions, and if you’re looking at a model home right now, you’ve probably already met the builder’s “preferred lender.”

Here’s the thing nobody tells you at the sales office: you don’t have to use them.

The Builder’s Lender Isn’t the Only Option

Builders often offer an incentive (closing cost credits, a rate buydown, sometimes a free upgrade) if you finance through their in-house or preferred lender. That can be a genuinely good deal. It can also just be a good deal for the builder, who gets to keep the transaction in-house and control the timeline.

You’re allowed to shop it. Get a quote from the builder’s lender, then get a second quote from an independent broker, and compare the actual numbers side by side, not just the incentive. Sometimes the builder credit is worth taking. Sometimes a broker who can shop your loan across multiple lenders beats it even after you give up the credit. You won’t know until you compare.

New Construction Financing Works a Little Differently

A few things are different from buying an existing home.

Rate locks run longer

If the home isn’t finished yet, you may need an extended rate lock, sometimes 60, 90, or even 180+ days out. Extended locks usually cost more, so ask what that costs and who’s paying for it.

The appraisal is based on plans, not a finished product

Early in the build, the appraiser is often working off the builder’s plans and comparable sales nearby, not a walk-through. That’s normal, but it’s worth understanding so the number doesn’t surprise you.

You still want your own inspection

New doesn’t mean flawless. Builders make mistakes like anyone else. An independent inspector before your final walkthrough (and sometimes a pre-drywall inspection) can catch things the builder’s own inspection process misses.

Placer County Loan Limits for 2026

For 2026, the conforming loan limit for a single-unit home in Placer County is $832,750. If your new build is priced above that, you’re likely looking at jumbo financing, which comes with its own down payment and credit requirements. Worth knowing before you fall in love with the upgraded lot.

Source: FHFA Announces Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026

FAQ: New Construction Loans in Roseville and Rocklin

Can I use my own lender for new construction in Roseville or Rocklin?

Yes. Builders can offer incentives to use their preferred lender, but you’re not required to. You’re free to compare quotes.

Is builder financing always cheaper?

Not always. Sometimes the incentive covers closing costs and beats an outside lender. Sometimes it doesn’t once you compare rate and total costs. Ask for a written quote from both and compare line by line.

Do I need a home inspection on a brand-new house?

It’s not required, but it’s a smart idea. New construction can still have workmanship issues, and an independent inspection protects you before your final walkthrough.

How long is a typical new-construction rate lock?

It depends on the build timeline. Ask your lender for extended-lock options if your home won’t be finished for several months, and get clear on what that costs.

Get a Second Opinion on the Builder’s Offer

If you’re under contract on a new build in Roseville or Rocklin and want a second opinion on the builder’s financing offer, reach out. I’ll run the numbers next to it so you can see exactly what you’re comparing.

Chris Kennedy | NMLS #971546 | Reliant Lending | 2100 Northrop Ave #900, Sacramento, CA 95825

Equal Housing Lender. This is general information, not a commitment to lend or a promise of specific terms. Contact us to discuss your individual situation.

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