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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.

Why Elk Grove Is One of Sacramento's Smartest Buys Right Now

Elk Grove has quietly become one of the most interesting submarkets in the Sacramento region. It used to get dismissed as "just suburbs" — but in 2026, with what's happened to home prices in Folsom, Roseville, and central Sacramento, Elk Grove offers something rare: real value, real schools, real community, without a wild commute.

Here's why a lot of buyers are looking south this year.

What you actually get in Elk Grove

More house for the money is the headline. Compared to similar floor plans in Folsom or Roseville, Elk Grove typically prices 10% to 20% lower for comparable square footage and lot size. That spread alone can mean the difference between a 3-bedroom and a 4-bedroom — or between a starter home and a forever home.

The neighborhoods worth knowing

Laguna and Laguna West. Established, walkable to lakes and trails, mix of original-owner homes and updated remodels. Strong rental demand if you're thinking long-term.

East Franklin and the southern Elk Grove communities. Newer construction, modern floor plans, often with Mello-Roos. A lot of the region's first-time buyer activity happens here.

Sheldon area. More rural feel, larger lots, equestrian-friendly pockets. Different vibe entirely.

Old Elk Grove. Smaller, historic core. Limited inventory but unique character.

Schools and the EGUSD factor

Elk Grove Unified is the fifth-largest school district in California. Highly variable across schools — some are standout performers, some are average. Specific school boundaries matter a lot more than the overall district reputation. Check the assigned school for any specific listing, not just the district.

The commute reality

Elk Grove to downtown Sacramento is typically 20-30 minutes via Highway 99. To Folsom or Roseville, expect 35-50 minutes depending on traffic. To the Bay Area, it's a real commute — most people who do it use a hybrid schedule.

Financing in Elk Grove

Elk Grove plays well with every major loan program:

• FHA and conventional loans are bread and butter here

• VA loans work beautifully on existing homes and newer builds

• CalHFA programs are very popular given the price points

• USDA-eligible areas extend to parts of southern Elk Grove and outlying areas (worth a map check)

• A few Elk Grove neighborhoods carry Mello-Roos — always verify before offering

What to watch for

• Mello-Roos in newer builds — always factor it into the monthly

• HOAs in master-planned communities — fees vary, sometimes by hundreds of dollars

• Builder incentives — Elk Grove has active new construction; builders sometimes offer rate buydowns or closing cost credits that beat resale options on monthly payment, even if the sticker price is higher

FAQ

Is Elk Grove a good first-time buyer market?

Yes — arguably one of the best in the region. Pricing, inventory, and program eligibility all line up.

Can I find a duplex in Elk Grove for house hacking?

Very limited. Elk Grove is mostly single-family. Look at single-family homes with ADU potential instead.

How are Elk Grove property taxes?

Standard California rate (~1.1% to 1.25%) plus any Mello-Roos. Total effective rate varies by neighborhood.

Will Elk Grove home values keep up with Folsom or Roseville?

Historical data suggests yes — Elk Grove has appreciated similarly over long time frames. Short-term differences happen, but the long arc looks similar.

Chris KennedyMay 28, 2026Comment

Sacramento Housing Blog