Your First Home May Be Closer Than You Think

How it works

Three steps between renting and owning. The first one takes about two minutes.

Start the application

Fill out my loan partner's quick online application. It tells us exactly which assistance programs fit your income, credit, and the area you want to buy in. Start here →

Get your real numbers

My loan partner runs your options — down payment assistance, closing cost help, and what your monthly payment would actually look like. If your credit needs a little work first, you'll leave with a clear plan to get there.

Shop with confidence

With a pre-approval in hand, we go find your home. When you close with me in 2026, you get a $1,000 closing gift on top of everything else.

What most first-time buyers get wrong

The things holding most renters back aren't true anymore. Here's what actually applies:

~~"I need 20% down."~~

You don't. Many buyers get in with $500–$5,000 out of pocket once down payment assistance is applied — on a typical purchase, assistance programs can cover most of the down payment and sometimes part of closing costs too.

~~"My credit isn't good enough."~~

Programs exist for buyers with scores in the low 600s. And if you're below that today, my loan partner will map out exactly what to fix and how long it should take — most people are closer than they think.

~~"Assistance is only for certain people."~~

There are state, county, and lender programs with different rules — income limits, first-time buyer definitions, purchase areas. The only way to know which ones fit you is to run the application. It costs nothing to check.

~~"I should wait until I save more."~~

Every month of rent is money that builds someone else's equity. Run the numbers below — then decide with real figures instead of guesses.

$2,400/mo rent ≈ $144,000

That's five years of typical rent paid to a landlord — money that never comes back and never builds equity. Owning flips that math in your favor.

See what I qualify for

Daniel Smith, Realtor with First Team Real Estate — Daniel Smith — “Sold by Mr. Smith”

Meet your agent

Daniel Smith · Realtor®, First Team Real Estate — Calabasas

I'm Daniel. I help first-time buyers across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley turn "someday" into a set of keys — without needing a huge savings account to do it.

My loan partner and I run your numbers first, so when we go shopping you already know what you can afford and which assistance programs are doing the heavy lifting. No surprises, no pressure — just a straight path from application to front door.

Questions before you apply? Call or text me directly. You'll get me, not a call center.

Call 310-570-3057 Text Daniel Email me

Quick questions

The ones I hear most from first-time buyers.

How much money do I actually need saved?

Less than you think. With down payment assistance applied, many of the buyers I work with get into a home with $500–$5,000 out of pocket. Your exact number depends on the programs you qualify for — the application is how we find out.

What credit score do I need?

Several programs work with scores in the low 600s. If you're under that, you're not out — my loan partner will tell you exactly what to address and give you a timeline, so you're working toward buying instead of guessing.

What is the $1,000 closing gift?

Buyers who close on a home with me in 2026 receive a $1,000 gift toward closing. It's my way of helping with the last stretch of costs — on top of whatever assistance programs you qualify for.

How long does the whole process take?

Typically 60–90 days from application to keys: pre-approval, home search, then escrow. That's exactly why starting now matters if you want to be in your home in early 2026.

Does applying cost anything or obligate me?

No. The application is how my loan partner checks which programs you qualify for. There's no cost and no obligation — you get your numbers and decide from there.

Your first home may be closer than you think.