Van Nuys home loans, starting at the kitchen table

A lot of the Van Nuys buyers I talk to are buying their first place. They have been renting nearby, they have saved for a while, and they want to know one thing first: can I actually do this, and what will it cost me every month?

That is a fair question, and it deserves a straight answer before anyone writes an offer. So we start with your income, your savings and the payment you are comfortable carrying. Then we look at the house.

I'm Roland Suncire, Founder and President of Sunview Lending. I've been in mortgages since 2003, more than 20 years, and I founded Sunview in 2015. Our wholesale brokerage is on Ventura Boulevard in Encino, a short drive south. We help Van Nuys buyers and homeowners compare purchase and refinance options. We do not have a Van Nuys office.

Van Nuys is a lot of different homes

Van Nuys has single family homes on residential streets, condos and townhomes near the main boulevards, and small multi-unit buildings. A house a few blocks off Van Nuys Boulevard, a condo near Sepulveda Boulevard and a duplex you plan to live in are three different loan conversations.

So I don't price a loan off the neighborhood. I price it off the address, the property type and how you plan to use it. Will you live there? Is there a second unit? Is it part of an HOA? Those answers shape which programs fit.

First-time buyers: what I want on the table

Here is what we go over at the start:

The monthly payment you are comfortable with, not just the most a lender might approve.
Your down payment, closing costs and the savings you want left over after you move in.
How you get paid: salary, hourly, overtime, commission, tips or your own business.
Any recent job change, gap or new side income.
Your credit, and any debts that show up on the report.
Gift money from family, and how it will be documented.

None of that is a test. It is how we find the roadblocks early, while there is still time to fix them. The part of the file that usually kills the deal is the one nobody asked about until underwriting.

Ask for written terms before you compare lenders. Look at the rate, APR, points, lender credits, cash to close and the monthly payment together. A low rate with points paid up front is not the same offer as a slightly higher rate with a credit.

Condos, HOAs and small multi-unit buildings

If you are buying a condo or townhome, ask for the HOA dues and whether any special assessment is approved or being discussed. The lender may need the association's budget, master insurance, reserves and information about litigation or repairs. You can be a strong borrower and still run into a building problem.

If you are looking at a two to four unit property you plan to live in, tell us up front. Owner-occupied multi-unit purchases have their own rules about rental income, reserves and property review. We will walk through what counts and what doesn't before you lean on a number.

Get an address-specific insurance quote early, and ask escrow for a property tax estimate based on your purchase price, not the seller's old bill.

Refinancing a Van Nuys home

If you already own in Van Nuys, a refinance should solve a real problem. Lower payment, shorter term, pulling cash out for a project, or removing someone from the loan are all different goals with different costs.

Bring your current mortgage statement and tell me what you are trying to fix. Then we compare the new payment, the new balance, the term and the total cost. A lower payment that stretches you out longer and rolls costs into the balance is not automatically a win. If the math doesn't work, I'll tell you.

VA purchases and VA IRRRL in Van Nuys

Eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses may be able to buy with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. That still depends on eligibility, entitlement, the appraisal and lender approval. No down payment does not mean no money needed at closing. For a condo, the project needs VA approval, and another program's approval does not count.

Already have a VA loan? A VA IRRRL may lower your rate with less paperwork than a full refinance. Compare the new balance and term, not just the payment, and ask for an itemized break-even. My VA IRRRL break-even article and our VA loans page walk through it.

Nearby pages

Shopping in more than one part of the Valley? See Sherman Oaks home loans, Encino home loans and Studio City home loans.

Questions people ask about Van Nuys home loans

Can I buy my first home in Van Nuys with a small down payment?

Possibly. Some programs allow a low down payment, and eligible VA buyers may need none. You still need to qualify and cover closing costs or arrange credits. Start with a review of your income, credit and savings.

Can I use rental income from a duplex to qualify?

Sometimes. If you buy a two to four unit property and live in one unit, some programs may count part of the expected rent. The rules depend on the program and the documentation. Ask before you assume.

Is a mortgage broker different from a bank?

A broker can compare options from multiple wholesale lenders. A bank generally offers its own programs. Compare written offers and service, not just the label.

Should I refinance my VA loan with an IRRRL?

It depends on the savings, the costs and how long you plan to keep the home. Ask for a written comparison showing the new payment, balance, term and break-even.

Let's talk through your Van Nuys plans

Contact me, call (818) 452-4993 or email roland@sunviewlending.com. Our office is at 17609 Ventura Blvd, Suite LL03, Encino, CA 91316. Tell me about the property and your goal. Do not email Social Security numbers or financial documents. Ask for the secure application link.

Sunview Lending, Inc., NMLS 1408622. CA DFPI 60DBO-45974. Roland Suncire, NMLS 1196184. Licensing and verification. Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans are subject to eligibility, property review and underwriting approval.