First-time homebuyers in Solano County
Know what a house needs before you decide what to offer.
Your first purchase comes with a lot of new rules at once: pre-approval, down payment programs, the agreement you sign with your agent, inspections. Nickole walks you through them in order. Because she has renovated houses, she can tell you what a home needs and what it's worth before you write an offer.
November and December: meet with Nickole and a mortgage lender at our Vacaville office. Free, with no commitment.
What first-time buyers worry about
"I'll never qualify."
You won't know until a lender looks at your numbers, and that's what the consultation is for. Some people are ready now. Others leave with a short list of what to fix and a realistic date to aim for.
"I don't have 20% down."
Most first-time buyers don't put 20% down. Depending on the loan, the minimum can be 3% to 3.5%, or nothing for eligible veterans. Down payment help may also be available, and the lender will tell you what's open right now.
"I don't want to overpay."
Before you offer, Nickole walks you through recent sales nearby and what the house will need after you move in. That second part is where first-time buyers usually get surprised.
"What if I buy a money pit?"
On showings, she'll point out the roof, the electrical panel, signs of water damage, and work that may have been done without permits, before you spend money on an inspection.
The order things usually happen in
A first conversation
What you want, where, and the monthly payment you're comfortable with. That's often less than the most a lender will approve, and that's fine.
Pre-approval
A lender reviews your income, credit, and savings. You find out your price range, which loans fit, and whether you qualify for down payment help.
Your buyer agreement
California requires a written agreement with your agent. It spells out what she'll do, how she's paid, and when it ends, and it can't last longer than three months. We go through every line before you sign.
Touring with a renovator's eye
We look at homes in your range, and Nickole tells you what each one is likely to need, so you're comparing real costs, not just list prices.
Your offer and the inspection
We set the price and terms together. After the inspection, she helps you decide what to ask the seller to fix or credit, and what to let go.
Escrow and keys
Appraisal, final loan approval, and a last walk-through. It often takes 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to keys, depending on the loan.
Minimum down payment on many conventional and FHA loans for qualifying buyers. FHA's 3.5% minimum requires a credit score of 580 or higher.
VA loans can allow no down payment for eligible veterans and service members, including families stationed at Travis Air Force Base.
California limits a buyer's agreement with an agent to three months, and it can't renew automatically. Any renewal has to be in writing.
General information as of November 2026. Your lender confirms what you qualify for.
What she'll point out before you fall for a house
Listing photos show the new paint. They don't show the 20-year-old water heater. Nickole has renovated homes, so she'll tell you what she sees and what it usually costs, while you're still deciding whether to offer.
Nickole isn't a home inspector, and you should still get a full inspection. This is about knowing what you're looking at before you spend money on one.
- How old the roof is, and where it's been patched
- Water stains, soft floors, and musty smells
- The type and age of the electrical panel
- Foundation cracks: which are cosmetic and which aren't
- Garage conversions or additions, and whether they were permitted
- The age of the water heater, furnace, and AC
Free first-time buyer consultations, November & December
Sit down with Nickole and a mortgage lender at our Vacaville office. You'll leave knowing what you could qualify for, what down payment help exists, and what to do next.
Nickole Dauer
Nickole Dauer is a Real Estate Planner with Keller Williams Vaca Valley. She helps Solano County families who are facing a big decision about a home, and she also works with first-time buyers who want a clear plan before they start shopping. With a background in renovating properties, she can walk through a house with you and tell you honestly what it needs and what it is worth.
She'll start with the payment you're comfortable with, not the biggest number a lender will approve, and she'll tell you when a house isn't worth stretching for.
Integrity comes before the transaction. Nickole works alongside your attorney or CPA and does not give legal or tax advice.
Tell us where you are.
Just starting to think about it, or already pre-approved. Either is fine. Nickole will call or email you herself.
Common questions
Do I need 20% down to buy a house?
No. Many conventional loans start at 3% down for qualifying buyers, FHA loans at 3.5% with a credit score of 580 or higher, and VA loans can allow no down payment for eligible veterans and service members. Putting less down usually means paying mortgage insurance, and the lender will show you what that costs.
How much should I have saved besides the down payment?
Plan for closing costs, which often run a few percent of the price, plus a cushion for moving and the first repairs. The lender will give you a written estimate. Sometimes the seller agrees to pay part of your closing costs.
Who pays your commission?
How Nickole is paid is written into your buyer agreement, and we go over it before you sign. Sometimes the seller agrees to cover some or all of it as part of the deal, and sometimes it's built into your offer. We'll show you the options in plain numbers.
I'm stationed at Travis or I'm a veteran. Can I use a VA loan?
Often, yes. VA loans can allow no down payment for eligible borrowers. You'll need a Certificate of Eligibility, which the lender can help you request.
I'm moving from the Bay Area. What should I know?
Be honest with yourself about the commute. Drive times from Vacaville and Fairfield to the Bay change a lot by time of day, so try the drive at rush hour before you buy. Vallejo and Benicia are closer to the Bay, and prices differ from city to city.
Should I talk to a lender before I call you?
Either order works. The free consultation puts Nickole and a lender in the same room, so you can do both at once.
Which cities do you cover?
All of Solano County, including Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Benicia, Vallejo, and Green Valley.