Where can I get a first-time buyer loan near me in Marina del Rey?

Our Marina del Rey office at 13763 Fiji Way, Suite EU2, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 helps Westside first-time buyers. Save Financial is a licensed California mortgage broker (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766) and a CalHFA-approved lender, and we compare Conventional 97, FHA, and assistance programs for you. Call (310) 759-4757.

How much do I need to put down as a first-time buyer on the Westside?

As little as 3% on a Conventional 97 loan or 3.5% on FHA — and 100% of it can be a documented family gift, which is a big help in a high-priced market like the Westside.

Who counts as a first-time buyer?

Generally, anyone who hasn't owned a primary residence in the past three years. You don't have to be buying your very first property ever to qualify for first-time programs.

What credit score do I need?

It depends on the program. FHA starts at 580, Conventional 97 typically wants stronger credit, and CalHFA's Dream For All assistance requires a 680 score. We match the loan to your score.

Can I get down-payment assistance on the Westside?

Often yes. As a CalHFA-approved lender we can layer California assistance — including Dream For All (680+ score) — onto your first-time loan where you qualify. We confirm what's open before you write an offer.

Can my parents gift my down payment?

Yes. On both Conventional 97 and FHA, 100% of the down payment can come from a documented gift from family. We'll walk you through the paperwork.

What's the difference between Conventional 97 and FHA?

Conventional 97 needs 3% down and stronger credit, with PMI that can drop off later. FHA needs 3.5% down, allows lower credit, and carries MIP. We price both on your numbers.

Is Save Financial a lender or a broker?

We're an independent mortgage broker (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766) and a CalHFA-approved lender — we shop multiple lenders to fit your first purchase, rather than offering one bank's products.

Which Westside areas do you serve from this office?

All of the Westside and beyond — including Marina del Rey, Venice, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Culver City, and more — plus every California county.

First-Time Buyer · Marina del Rey, CA

First-Time Home Buyer Loans in Marina del Rey — Low-Down Programs from a Local Broker

First-time buyers in Marina del Rey can get into a home with as little as 3% down (Conventional 97) or 3.5% down (FHA), use 100% gift funds, and stack CalHFA down-payment assistance where eligible. Save Financial (NMLS #377740), a local broker and CalHFA-approved lender at 13763 Fiji Way, Suite EU2, matches you to the right first-time program. Call (310) 759-4757.

Buying a first home on the Westside feels out of reach to a lot of people — but the down payment is usually smaller than they think. A first-time buyer here can put as little as 3% down on a Conventional 97 loan or 3.5% on FHA, and 100% of that down payment can be a documented gift. Stack CalHFA down-payment assistance on top (Dream For All needs a 680 score), and a Culver City condo or a Mar Vista starter home stops being hypothetical. The hard part isn't the money — it's knowing which program fits, and that's what a local broker sorts out.

Looking for a First-Time Buyer Loan Near You in Marina del Rey?

Our Westside home office lets a first-time buyer sit down in person with a licensed loan officer, get pre-approved, and see exactly which low-down program — and which assistance — puts a home within reach. No distant call center.

Save Financial — Marina del Rey office
13763 Fiji Way, Suite EU2, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: (310) 759-4757
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (Sunday closed) PT

The office is just off Fiji Way near the main channel of the marina, with convenient parking and quick access from Lincoln Boulevard and the 90 Marina Freeway. We serve Westside first-time buyers from our Marina del Rey office across the neighborhoods below.

Areas We Serve Near Our Marina del Rey Office

Here is how first-time programs tend to fit for buyers across the areas we cover from Marina del Rey:

Marina del Rey: first-time buyers using 3% conventional or 3.5% FHA on condos and townhomes.
Venice: renters becoming owners with gift-funded down payments.
Playa del Rey: coastal starter homes financed with low-down programs plus assistance.
Playa Vista: first-time condo buyers where the project qualifies.
Santa Monica: buyers stacking CalHFA assistance on a first Westside purchase.
Culver City: first-timers near the tech corridor using Conventional 97 or FHA.
West Los Angeles: younger buyers qualifying with lighter credit and small savings.
Mar Vista: single-family first purchases with 3–3.5% down.
Westchester: Kentwood and LAX-area first-time buyers using gift funds.

These are service areas of our Marina del Rey office, not separate offices.

How First-Time Buyer Loans Work

You generally count as a first-time buyer if you haven't owned a primary residence in the past three years. The two workhorse low-down loans are Conventional 97 (as little as 3% down) and FHA (3.5% down at a 580 score). With either, 100% of the down payment can be a documented gift from family.

On top of that, Save Financial is a CalHFA-approved lender, so we can layer California down-payment assistance where you qualify — including Dream For All, which requires a 680 credit score. On the Westside, that combination is often what turns a renter into an owner.

The right answer depends on your credit, your savings, and the home you're targeting — and as a broker we compare all of these paths for you instead of pushing one product.

Common First-Time Buyer Scenarios in Westside

A renter with a 700 score and 3% saved buying a Culver City condo on Conventional 97.
A buyer whose parents are gifting the full down payment on a Mar Vista home.
A first-timer with a 640 score using FHA where conventional doesn't fit yet.
A 680+ buyer stacking CalHFA Dream For All assistance on a Westside purchase.
A young couple buying their first Playa Vista condo where the project qualifies.

Are You Ready to Buy Your First Home?

You haven't owned a primary residence in the last three years.
You have 3–3.5% for a down payment — or a family member willing to gift it.
Your credit is anywhere from the high-500s up; we'll match the program to it.
You'd like us to check CalHFA assistance, including Dream For All (680+ score).

Conventional 97 vs. FHA vs. CalHFA Assistance

Most first-time buyers land on one of these three paths. Here's how they compare:

For a Westside first-timer	Conventional 97	FHA	CalHFA assistance
Minimum down	As low as 3%	3.5% (580+ FICO)	Can cover much of the down payment
Credit	Typically higher	580+ (500–579 with 10% down)	Dream For All requires 680+
Mortgage insurance	PMI (can drop off later)	Upfront + annual MIP	Depends on the first loan
Down-payment gift	100% can be a documented gift	100% can be a gift	Per program rules
Best for	Stronger credit, small savings	Lower credit or thin files	Westside buyers needing help with the down payment

There's no single 'best' — it depends on your credit and cash. We'll price all three and show you the trade-offs before you decide.

Why Work With a Local Marina del Rey Mortgage Broker?

First-time buyers have the most to gain from good advice and the most to lose from bad structure. As a broker, Save Financial compares Conventional 97, FHA, and CalHFA assistance across multiple lenders, and our office is in Westside, so we know local prices, condo eligibility, and how to make a first-time offer competitive.

Come in, get pre-approved, and get plain-English answers from a licensed local loan officer. Call the Marina del Rey office directly at (310) 759-4757.

How to Buy Your First Home with Save Financial

Tell us your Westside target price, your savings or gift, and rough credit. Start online or call (310) 759-4757.
We match you to Conventional 97, FHA, or a program with CalHFA assistance — and check Dream For All eligibility.
We shop lenders, lock in terms, and issue your pre-approval letter.
You make an offer in Venice, Culver City, or wherever you're looking, and we close it.

Serving Marina del Rey: Save Financial arranges these loans in Marina del Rey and across Westside Los Angeles from our Marina del Rey office. We are a California-licensed mortgage brokerage (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766), Equal Housing Opportunity, and shop multiple lenders for your best terms. This page is informational and not a commitment to lend; all loans are subject to credit approval, income and property review, and program availability. Call 310-759-4757 or apply online.