Jeff was easy to work with, very responsive, and walked us through the loan so we understood everything as new homeowners.
Christopher · Centennial, COFirst-time buyers
First-time buyers
Nobody is born knowing how to buy a house.
Every homeowner in Colorado started exactly where you are: zero experience, lots of questions. This page — and Jeff — exist so you never have to pretend otherwise.
is it dumb that I don't even know where to start? 😬
Not even a little. 'Where do I start' is literally the right first question — and you just asked it. Step one: this conversation. Done. ✅
Myth-busting
Six things "everyone knows" that aren't true.
You need 20% down to buy a house.
The truth: Conventional loans start at 3% down, FHA at 3.5%, and VA and USDA can be $0 down. Colorado buyers also have CHFA down payment assistance. 20% avoids mortgage insurance — it is not the price of admission.
You need perfect credit.
The truth: Plenty of Colorado buyers close in the 600s. FHA guidelines allow scores as low as 580, and pricing improves as your score rises. Jeff will tell you honestly whether it is buy-now or improve-first — and how to improve fast.
You should wait for rates to drop.
The truth: Nobody can time rates — not Jeff, not the news, nobody. If a payment works for your budget today, that is what matters. If rates fall later, refinancing exists. If they rise, you locked in the better deal.
Getting pre-approved hurts your credit.
The truth: A mortgage pre-approval is a small, short-lived inquiry — typically a handful of points — and credit models group mortgage inquiries within a shopping window so you can compare lenders freely.
Find the house first, then the loan.
The truth: Backwards — especially in competitive Front Range neighborhoods. Sellers take offers with pre-approval letters seriously. Fifteen minutes with Jeff before you tour makes every showing count.
Student loans mean you can’t buy.
The truth: Student debt is a math input, not a disqualifier. What matters is your debt-to-income ratio, and there are program-specific ways to calculate student loan payments that often work in your favor.
The path
Six steps from "someday" to keys.
- 1
A real conversation
Fifteen minutes with Jeff — your goals, your timeline, your numbers. No paperwork yet, no commitment, and definitely no judgment.
- 2
Pre-approval
Jeff verifies income, assets and credit, then issues a letter that tells Colorado sellers you are the real deal. Usually fast.
- 3
Know your full budget
Not just price — payment. Taxes, insurance, HOA, mortgage insurance. You shop knowing the whole monthly number.
- 4
Shop with confidence
Tour with your agent knowing exactly what you can offer. Jeff stays a text away for “what would this one cost?” moments.
- 5
Offer & contract
When the right one hits, Jeff moves fast — updated letters for your exact offer and direct calls with listing agents when it helps.
- 6
Clear to close
Processing, appraisal, underwriting — Jeff keeps you posted at every milestone, so you always know what is happening and why.
Colorado's best-kept advantage
CHFA: the down payment help most buyers never claim.
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority offers down payment assistance for eligible buyers — structured as a grant or as a second mortgage — that can go toward your down payment and closing costs. It pairs with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional first mortgages, income limits vary by county, and a homebuyer education class is required. For qualified buyers, it can meaningfully shrink the cash needed to get keys.
How CHFA assistance works →we make decent money but rent ate our savings 😩
You might be exactly who CHFA assistance exists for. For qualified buyers it can go toward the down payment AND closing costs. Let's check your county's limits — takes minutes.
Real clients, real reviews
Five stars.5.0 across the 10 client reviews featured here
Shared from Experience.com via Jeff’s Fairway reviews page — real clients, in their own words.
I loved how quickly you responded to our concerns. Your attention to detail was awesome.
Anna · Parker, COAttention to detail
Jeff was always available for anything we needed. He always answered questions thoroughly, so we could have an actual understanding. Not just an answer.
Bobbie · La Crosse, WIAlways available
Clear communication — quick responses.
Jennifer · Highlands Ranch, COClear communication
Jeff made everything easy — even our realtor mentioned how amazing it was to work with Jeff.
Chase · La Crosse, WIRealtor-approved
Jeff was very knowledgeable and was very easy to work with. He explained everything very thoroughly, and I really appreciate that.
Evelyne · Aurora, COThorough explanations
Timely responses, answered all questions in a way that was easy to understand.
Brielle · Parker, COPlain English
PROMPT communication!! I always knew what was needed, and the interfaces to provide it were seamless.
David · Spooner, WISmooth process
Excellent communication.
Cameron · Parker, COCommunication
Everything!
Aaron · Castle Pines, COWhat did we love?
Jeff was easy to work with, very responsive, and walked us through the loan so we understood everything as new homeowners.
Christopher · Centennial, COFirst-time buyers
I loved how quickly you responded to our concerns. Your attention to detail was awesome.
Anna · Parker, COAttention to detail
Jeff was always available for anything we needed. He always answered questions thoroughly, so we could have an actual understanding. Not just an answer.
Bobbie · La Crosse, WIAlways available
Clear communication — quick responses.
Jennifer · Highlands Ranch, COClear communication
Jeff made everything easy — even our realtor mentioned how amazing it was to work with Jeff.
Chase · La Crosse, WIRealtor-approved
Jeff was very knowledgeable and was very easy to work with. He explained everything very thoroughly, and I really appreciate that.
Evelyne · Aurora, COThorough explanations
Timely responses, answered all questions in a way that was easy to understand.
Brielle · Parker, COPlain English
PROMPT communication!! I always knew what was needed, and the interfaces to provide it were seamless.
David · Spooner, WISmooth process
Excellent communication.
Cameron · Parker, COCommunication
Everything!
Aaron · Castle Pines, COWhat did we love?
Money questions
Asked by every first-time buyer. Answered honestly.
How much do I really need saved to buy a first home in Colorado?
Often less than you think. Between low-down-payment programs (3–3.5% down), $0-down VA and USDA options, and CHFA down payment assistance for eligible buyers, the cash-to-close number is scenario-specific. Jeff prices your actual situation before you commit to anything.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
Conventional programs generally start around 620, and FHA guidelines allow scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. Higher scores mean better pricing. If your score needs work, Jeff can point you at the fastest fixes first.
What is CHFA and can it help me?
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority offers down payment assistance for eligible buyers — as a grant or a second mortgage — paired with FHA, VA, USDA or conventional first loans. Income limits apply and a homebuyer education class is required. Jeff can tell you quickly whether you fit.
How long does buying a home take?
From accepted offer to keys is commonly around 30 days, sometimes faster. The bigger variable is the house hunt itself. Getting pre-approved early means you are ready the moment the right home appears.
Is it cheaper to keep renting?
Sometimes short-term, rarely long-term — but it is genuinely situation-specific. Jeff will run the honest rent-versus-buy math with you, and if renting longer is the smarter move for you right now, he will say so.
Your first home starts with one text.
No paperwork, no pressure, no dumb questions. Just tell Jeff you're thinking about buying — he'll take it from there.