Bring the situation as it is.
Plain answers to the mortgage questions people in the Inland Empire ask. Each answer names the public rule it comes from and the date it was last checked.
Written by Jamal Akber, loan originator since 2007
21 questions so far
Questions people are asking
Short answers to what buyers ask most, each linked to the fuller guide.
- How does buying a home actually work, step by step?Draft to reviewStart here
- Can I really get an FHA loan with a credit score in the 500s or low 600s?Draft to reviewWritten November 13, 2026
- The automated system said "refer". Is there a second chance?Draft to reviewWritten November 13, 2026
- My house was in my bankruptcy and foreclosed later. Which waiting period counts?Draft to reviewWritten November 13, 2026
- Which of my spouse's debts count if they are not on the loan?Draft to reviewWritten November 13, 2026
- If my parent co-signs my FHA loan, what changes?Draft to reviewWritten November 13, 2026
- How does California's Dream For All down payment loan work?Draft to reviewWritten November 13, 2026
- Will FHA finance this particular manufactured home?Draft to reviewWritten November 13, 2026
- How does a gift of equity work when I buy from family?Draft to reviewWritten November 13, 2026
Buying in the Inland Empire
Local limits, local programs, local prices.
- How does an FHA loan work for a home in the Inland Empire?Draft to reviewYour words approved
- What down payment help is there in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
- Is there extra down payment help for teachers, nurses, police and firefighters?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
When the file is not simple
Credit history, family on the loan, and who counts under California law.
- How long after Chapter 7 bankruptcy can I buy a home in California?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
- What does FHA manual underwriting mean for my application?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
- What does FHA itself say about credit scores in the 500s and low 600s?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
- Can a parent be on my FHA loan without living in the home?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
- My spouse is not on the loan. Do their debts still count in California?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
- Can I buy the home I rent, or buy from a family member?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
Particular homes and professions
Loans built for a specific kind of buyer or property.
- How do home loans for doctors and dentists work in California?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
- FHA 203(k) or HomeStyle: how do I finance repairs with the purchase?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
- Can I use an FHA loan for a manufactured home in California?Draft to reviewWritten November 12, 2026
Your question is not on the list?
Most real situations are a mix of two or three of these. Tell Jamal what is actually going on and he will tell you which rules apply.
Talk it through with Jamal Calls (626) 523-3881. A conversation is not an application or an approval.