Not at all. You’re always welcome to walk in, tour the homes and explore floor plans without having a pre-approval in hand.
That said, connecting with a lender early is one of the best things you can do. It helps take the guesswork out of the process and gives you a clear understanding of what you can comfortably afford before you fall in love with a home.
Our sales team can connect you with one of our preferred lenders at any time, with no pressure or obligation. Whether you’re ready now or just starting to explore, we’re here to help guide you through the process.

The first step is simply having a conversation with a lender, and we can help make that introduction. Our preferred lender network is made up of partners who understand the SJV Homes process from start to finish and work closely with buyers throughout the entire build journey, not just at closing.
They’ll walk you through your financing options, explain what’s needed to qualify, and help you understand your estimated monthly payment before you commit to anything. The goal is to make sure you feel informed, comfortable, and confident every step of the way.

Absolutely, and honestly, we hear this all the time. A lot of buyers assume they won’t qualify and walk away without ever knowing what was possible. The only way to know for sure is to have the conversation.
Our preferred lenders are straightforward, honest, and focused on helping you understand your options without pressuring you. If you’re ready now, they’ll tell you. If you need a few more months, they’ll walk you through exactly what to work on.
There’s no pressure, no obligation, and no cost to find out where you stand. Just guidance and a clear path forward.

Our preferred lenders can help with a wide range of financing options, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans for eligible veterans and service members, down payment assistance loans, and specialty loan programs. They’ll help you identify which loan type fits your financial situation and the specific community you’re buying in.

It depends on the loan program and your individual financial situation, but the good news is it’s often much less than people expect. Some loan programs allow down payments as low as 3% to 3.5%, and certain down payment assistance programs may help reduce that amount even further.
Contrary to a common misconception, conventional loans do not always require 20% down. Many conventional programs allow as little as 3% to 5% down for qualifying buyers. For eligible veterans and active-duty service members, VA loan options with no down payment may also be available.
Our preferred lenders can walk you through all available options and help you understand what your estimated down payment and monthly payment could look like based on your credit, income, and the home you’re interested in.

We work with preferred lenders who have access to a variety of down payment assistance programs, including options specifically designed for first-time homebuyers. These programs can help reduce the amount of cash needed upfront and, in some cases, may help cover most or even all of your down payment and closing costs.
Program availability and qualifications can vary based on income, location, household size, and loan type. The best way to explore your options is to connect with one of our preferred lenders. Our sales team would be happy to help make that introduction and guide you through the next steps.

In many cases, yes. Gift funds from family members can often be used toward your down payment and closing costs on certain loan programs, including FHA and conventional loans.
There are specific guidelines around how the funds are transferred and documented, so your lender will walk you through exactly what’s needed. This may include a gift letter and proof of where the funds came from, depending on the loan type. For many buyers, gift funds can be a helpful way to reduce upfront costs and make homeownership more attainable.

An FHA loan is a government-backed mortgage designed to make homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers. It typically allows for a lower down payment and offers more flexibility with credit scores compared to some conventional loan programs.
For many buyers, it can be a great option when purchasing a new SJV home, particularly if saving a large down payment has been challenging or if credit history isn’t perfect. FHA loans do include mortgage insurance, which increases the monthly payment, so it’s worth comparing the overall cost against other options.
The best loan really depends on your individual financial picture. Our preferred lenders can walk you through the differences.

Yes. Our preferred lenders are experienced with VA loans and regularly help eligible active-duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses purchase new homes.
VA loans are one of the most powerful financing options available because they often require no down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI), which can help keep monthly payments more affordable. Our sales team would be happy to connect you with a preferred lender who can review your eligibility, explain your benefits, and walk you through the next steps with no obligation.

Our preferred lenders, Core Home Loans, Vero Mortgage, and loanDepot, are trusted mortgage partners who understand the new construction process from start to finish. They’re experienced with builder timelines, financing homes that may still be under construction, and helping buyers stay on track from contract to closing.
Because they work closely with SJV Homes and are familiar with our communities, communication tends to be smoother and there are typically fewer surprises throughout the process. They also understand the expectations and pace that come with new construction financing, which can help create a smoother, less stressful experience for buyers.

No. You’re absolutely free to work with any qualified lender you choose. That said, many buyers decide to use one of our preferred lenders because they’re already familiar with the SJV Homes process and understand the pace, timelines, and communication needed during a new construction build.
They stay engaged throughout the process, not just at closing, and work closely with our sales and construction teams to help everything move as smoothly as possible. While the choice is always yours, using a preferred lender often makes the process simpler and less stressful.

Our preferred lenders stay involved throughout the entire process, not just at closing. New construction timelines are very different from traditional resale purchases, so your financing needs ongoing attention as your home progresses through the build.
A preferred lender will help manage important details like your rate lock, updated paperwork, and loan timing to keep everything aligned with your estimated move-in date. They’ll also stay available to answer questions and guide you through each stage along the way.
That level of communication, consistency, and support is exactly what we look for in the lending partners we recommend to our buyers.

Yes. Our preferred lenders have access to a variety of first-time homebuyer programs that may help with down payments, closing costs, and loan qualification requirements. These programs are designed to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for buyers entering the market for the first time.

In most cases, a first-time homebuyer is defined as someone who hasn’t owned a primary residence within the past three years. So even if you’ve owned a home before, you may still qualify depending on your situation. Some programs also have income limits or geographic requirements, which your lender can help review with you.

Absolutely, and you’re definitely not alone in that situation. Between rising rent costs, deposits, and everyday expenses, saving for a home can feel overwhelming.
The good news is there are programs specifically designed to help buyers who may not have a large amount saved upfront. Depending on your situation, options like down payment assistance programs, FHA loans, first-time homebuyer grants, or other financing programs may help reduce the amount of cash needed out of pocket.
In some cases, buyers are surprised to learn they may need much less upfront than they expected.

In some ways, yes. With a new construction home, you may be purchasing a home that hasn’t been fully built yet, which means the financing process typically unfolds over a longer period of time than a traditional resale purchase. Things like rate locks, appraisals, updated documentation, and closing timelines work a little differently with new construction. That’s one of the main reasons we recommend working with a lender who understands the new construction process and can help keep everything aligned with your home’s build timeline.

Your loan closes once your home is complete and ready for occupancy, not when you first sign the purchase agreement. Between signing your contract and closing day, your preferred lender will work alongside the construction timeline to manage your financing, including updated documentation, loan approvals, and any applicable rate locks. Your sales specialist and lender will stay in communication throughout the process so you remain informed on progress, estimated completion dates, and what to expect as your closing date approaches.

A rate lock is an agreement with your lender to secure a specific interest rate for a set period of time. Since new construction homes take time to build, timing your rate lock correctly is especially important.
Your lender will help determine the best time to lock your rate based on your home’s estimated completion date and current market conditions. The goal is to keep your financing aligned with your expected move-in timeline while helping protect you from interest rate changes during the construction process.

Earnest money is a good-faith deposit you make when you sign your purchase agreement. It shows your commitment to the purchase and is typically applied toward your down payment or closing costs at the time of closing.
For owner-occupied purchases, the earnest money deposit is $2,000. For investor purchases, it is $5,000. Your sales specialist will walk you through the details for the home you’re purchasing.

Closing costs are the fees and expenses you pay at the time of closing, separate from your down payment. They cover things like loan origination, title insurance, appraisal fees, escrow fees, prepaid property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance. On a new construction home, closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the purchase price, so it’s an important number to plan for early in the process.
The good news is your lender is required to provide you with a Loan Estimate that itemizes all expected closing costs, so there are no surprises. SJV Homes also periodically offers incentives that may help cover a portion of your closing costs when you work with one of our preferred lenders. Ask your sales specialist what’s currently available in the community you’re interested in.

Yes. SJV Homes periodically offers financing incentives through our preferred lenders, which may include interest rate buydown programs, closing cost assistance, or other promotional financing opportunities. Available incentives vary by community and change over time. Speak with one of our sales specialists to find out what’s currently available and how it may impact your monthly payment or upfront costs.

We know credit scores can feel like a barrier, but they’re just one piece of a much bigger picture. Minimum credit score requirements vary by loan type. Conventional and Down Payment Assistance loans typically require a score of 620 or higher, while FHA and VA loans can go as low as 580.
A higher score generally means better rates and more options, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Lenders also look at things like income, debt, employment history, and available funds.
Even if your score isn’t where you want it to be today, that doesn’t necessarily mean homeownership is out of reach. Our preferred lenders can review your situation, explain your options clearly, and help you understand what steps, if any, could improve your ability to qualify.

Your debt-to-income ratio, often called your DTI, compares your monthly debt obligations to your gross monthly income. Lenders use this to help determine how much of a mortgage payment you can comfortably and realistically afford.
Your DTI includes payments such as car loans, student loans, credit cards, personal loans, and the proposed housing payment for the new home. In general, many conventional loan programs look for a DTI below 45%, though acceptable ratios can vary depending on the loan type, credit profile, and other compensating factors.
The good news is you don’t have to calculate this on your own. Your preferred lender will review your income and debts with you, explain how your DTI impacts your financing options, and help you understand what monthly payment range may work best for your situation.

Yes, self-employed buyers can absolutely qualify for a mortgage. The process is simply a little different because lenders need to verify income in ways other than a traditional W-2 paycheck.
Depending on the loan program, lenders may review items such as tax returns, profit and loss statements, bank statements, or business records to help determine qualifying income. In many cases, lenders like to see a two-year history of self-employment, though options can vary based on the overall scenario.
If you’re self-employed, connecting with a lender early is especially helpful so you know exactly what documentation to prepare. Our preferred lenders have experience working with self-employed buyers throughout the Valley and can help guide you through the process step by step.

Your lender will provide a specific document list based on your situation, but most buyers should expect to provide recent pay stubs, two years of W-2s or tax returns, two to three months of bank statements, a valid government-issued ID, mortgage notes and insurance policies for any real estate already owned, and information regarding any current debts or monthly obligations.
If you’re self-employed, additional documentation may be required, such as business tax returns, profit and loss statements, or business bank statements.
The earlier you begin gathering these documents, the smoother and faster the loan process typically becomes. Your lender will guide you through exactly what’s needed and help answer any questions along the way.

Yes. Having existing debt doesn’t automatically disqualify you. Lenders look at your overall debt-to-income ratio, not just individual debts in isolation. Depending on your income and the balance of your other debts, a car payment or student loan may have very little impact on your ability to qualify. Your preferred lender will run the numbers with you and give you an honest assessment.

Buying a home is exciting, but once you’re pre-approved and under contract, your financial picture should stay as stable as possible until closing. Here are some of the biggest things to avoid during the loan process:

• Don’t open new credit cards or take out new loans
• Don’t finance furniture, appliances, cars, or large purchases
• Don’t max out credit cards or increase existing balances
• Don’t make cash OR large unexplained deposits into your bank account
• Don’t move money around between accounts or have others deposit to your account without talking to your lender first
• Don’t quit your job, change pay structure, or become self-employed during escrow. Continue working your normal hours.
• Don’t miss payments on existing bills or loans
• Don’t co-sign for anyone else’s debt
• Don’t spend the funds set aside for your down payment or closing costs
• Don’t make major purchases just because you already got approved. Your loan is still being reviewed until closing day.
• Don’t forget to tell your lender and sales agent if you will be traveling out of the country or on vacation, in case you need to sign important time-sensitive documents

Your lender may re-check your credit, employment, income, and assets before closing, so keeping everything consistent is one of the best ways to help your loan stay on track. If you’re ever unsure whether something could affect your loan, the safest thing to do is ask your lender before making a financial move.

Select SJV Homes communities offer a Multi-Gen floor plan option on certain corner lots. These plans are designed to accommodate multi-generational living, giving families the ability to house extended family members while maintaining separate living spaces within the same home.
Communities that currently offer this option include Blossom Hill in Sanger, Sorrento in Tulare, and Granite Hills in West Visalia. Ask your sales specialist whether a Multi-Gen option is available in the specific community and lot you’re considering.

Multi-Gen homes are financed as single-family residences, which means the loan process is the same as any other SJV Homes purchase. There’s no special loan type required. Your preferred lender will walk you through how the additional space is handled in the appraisal and qualification process.

Yes. Select SJV Homes communities offer floor plans with a casita or guest suite option, providing additional private living space within the home, ideal for extended family, guests, or a dedicated workspace.
Communities that currently offer this option include Andalusia and Sycamore Ranch in Visalia, Somerset in Sanger, Foxwood in Delano, and Laurelwood in Porterville. Ask your sales specialist whether a casita option is available on the specific lot you’re considering.

Beyond the closing itself, it’s worth thinking ahead to the costs that come right after move-in: homeowner’s insurance, any utility deposits, and whatever you want to do to personalize your space. Your lender will walk you through what cash you’ll need at closing, which covers your down payment and closing costs. Any additional funds are yours to plan for as you see fit.

Your principal and interest payment is set at closing based on your loan amount and interest rate. However, your total monthly payment also includes property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, which are typically escrowed. These amounts can adjust over time as tax assessments and insurance premiums change. Your lender will explain how your escrow account works and what to expect.

Yes. We have a referral program that rewards you when someone you refer to SJV Homes purchases a new home. It’s our way of saying thank you for spreading the word. Ask your sales specialist for the current referral program details, or visit https://sjvhomes.com/referrals/.

Our sales offices are open daily and our preferred lenders are ready to walk you through your options with no pressure and no obligation.
Stop by any of our communities, give us a call, or connect with a preferred lender today. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process, from your first question to the day you get your keys.