Borrower situations · California

Loan officers for first-time buyers in California

As of 2026-10-09, LenDb lists 719 loan officers licensed in or based in California whose lender pages show First-time buyer work. The top-ranked are Vina Guerrero (First Citizens Bank, Pasadena), Kristina Hernandez (Homeowners Financial Group, Folsom) and Thomas Frank Weikel (Guild Mortgage, Carlsbad). Ranking is lender-neutral: specialty evidence first, then a license in CA, branch location, experience and profile completeness. Nobody pays for placement.

Last verified . Sources: lender loan officer pages and state license records. Licenses: check NMLS Consumer Access.

Ranked, with reasons · top 25

  1. 1

    Vina GuerreroNMLS 262835

    First Citizens Bank · Bank · Pasadena, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • VA loan
    • Down payment assistance
    • FHA loan
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Pasadena, CA
    • States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  2. 2

    Kristina HernandezNMLS 225677

    Homeowners Financial Group · Folsom, CA · licensed in 2 states

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Folsom, CA
    • States 29 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  3. 3

    Thomas Frank WeikelNMLS 243656

    Guild Mortgage · Carlsbad, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • Real estate investor
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Carlsbad, CA
    • States 30 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  4. 4

    Nancy SiplesNMLS 256016

    Guild Mortgage · Riverside, CA · licensed in 4 states

    • First-time buyer
    • Down payment assistance
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Riverside, CA
    • States 30 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  5. 5

    Jesus RenteriaNMLS 275750

    Envoy Mortgage · Walnut Creek, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • Down payment assistance
    • Self-employed
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Walnut Creek, CA
    • States 25 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  6. 6

    Clayton S SheffreyNMLS 643155

    First Citizens Bank · Bank · San Diego, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • Down payment assistance
    • Jumbo loan
    • Physician and medical professional
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in San Diego, CA
    • States 25 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  7. 7

    Carlos MoctezumaNMLS 960434

    First Citizens Bank · Bank · Ontario, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • Down payment assistance
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Ontario, CA
    • States 30 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  8. 8

    Julia CruzNMLS 632832

    Guild Mortgage · Carlsbad, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • Jumbo loan
    • Down payment assistance
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Carlsbad, CA
    • States 19 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  9. 9

    Ebony AllenNMLS 1822932

    Xpert Home Lending · Mortgage broker · California

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in California
    • States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  10. 10

    Gordon WeichlerNMLS 308099

    American Pacific Mortgage · Roseville, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • HELOC
    • Real estate investor
    • Reverse mortgage
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Roseville, CA
    • States 30 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  11. 11

    Patty GrissomNMLS 350159

    Guild Mortgage · Fresno, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • Down payment assistance
    • FHA loan
    • VA loan
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Fresno, CA
    • States 18 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  12. 12

    Jimm KelleyNMLS 256940

    Loan Factory · Mortgage broker · California

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in California
    • States 35 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  13. 13

    Anthony Stafford Jr.NMLS 713682

    Envoy Mortgage · Walnut Creek, CA · licensed in 2 states

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Walnut Creek, CA
    • Licensed since 2017 (per Florida records)
    • States 18 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  14. 14

    David ShearerNMLS 2251435

    Loan Factory · Mortgage broker · Burbank, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • Real estate investor
    • Recent credit event
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Burbank, CA
    • States 40 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  15. 15

    Mark GonzalesNMLS 280952

    Guild Mortgage · Orange, CA · licensed in 2 states

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Orange, CA
    • States 27 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  16. 16

    Bryan McCarthyNMLS 1452887

    Guild Mortgage · Walnut Creek, CA

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in Walnut Creek, CA
    • States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  17. 17

    Carolina SepulvedaNMLS 291489

    LeaderOne Financial · Boerne, TX

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  18. 18

    Colin ChuNMLS 2767054

    Loan Factory · Mortgage broker · California

    • First-time buyer
    • Real estate investor
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Office in California
    • States 16 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  19. 19

    Jeremy WetzelNMLS 3364

    CrossCountry Mortgage · Louisville, KY · licensed in 10 states

    • First-time buyer
    • FHA loan
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Licensed since 2011 (per Florida records)
    • States 23 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  20. 20

    Adam WorkmanNMLS 128183

    CrossCountry Mortgage · Charlotte, NC · licensed in 42 states

    • First-time buyer
    • Real estate investor
    • VA loan
    • FHA loan
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Licensed since 2020 (per Florida records)
    • States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  21. 21

    Phil LymanNMLS 218232

    Guild Mortgage · Portland, OR · licensed in 5 states

    • First-time buyer
    • Real estate investor
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • States 23 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  22. 22

    Amber PageNMLS 229184

    Evergreen Home Loans · Silverdale, WA · licensed in 14 states

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Licensed since 2023 (per Florida records)
    • States 20 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  23. 23

    Daniel Patrick NacaratoNMLS 247584

    Barrett Financial Group · Mortgage broker · Chandler, AZ · licensed in 5 states

    • First-time buyer
    • Real estate investor
    • VA loan
    • Vacation home
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Licensed since 2021 (per Colorado records)
    • States 25 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  24. 24

    Julie JohnsonNMLS 302214

    CrossCountry Mortgage · Seattle, WA · licensed in 28 states

    • First-time buyer
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Licensed since 2025 (per Florida records)
    • States 25 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)
  25. 25

    Kelly FischerNMLS 476360

    Guild Mortgage · Fairfax, VA · licensed in 5 states

    • First-time buyer
    • VA loan
    • CA listed on their lender page (not yet checked with the state regulator; verify at NMLS)
    • Lists First-time buyer on lender page (lender page, verified 2026-10-09)
    • Licensed since 2015 (per Florida records)
    • States 30 years of experience (lender page, 2026-10-09)

Before you choose

The best options combine programs (FHA, conventional low down, local assistance) and need patient guidance through the process.

  • Which low down payment programs fit my situation?
  • Am I eligible for any first-time buyer assistance here?
  • What will my total cash to close be?

More about First-time buyer

How this list is ranked

Specialty evidence carries the most weight (production data, then lender page, then self-reported). Loan officers are listed when a CA license is confirmed with the state regulator (check mark), CA is listed on their lender page, or they work at a bank or credit union (likely federally registered; verify at NMLS). Then branch location, experience (licensed since, per the regulator records we hold) and profile completeness. Disciplinary history is not yet checked by LenDb; verify at NMLS Consumer Access. No paid placement. Methodology.

Same list as JSON: /api/v1/loan-officers?specialty=first-time-buyer&state=CA. Not a lender. Not a referral service. Verify licenses at NMLS Consumer Access.