Brett Hickman

Brett Hickman

Mortgage Loan Officer · NMLS #24322480

What's your story?

Brett Hickman
Hi! I'm Brett Hickman, your loan officer at Home First Financial. I can help you figure out your home buying power in just a few questions. What would you like to know?

Clearing the path to your California home.

No runaround, no jargon — just frictionless underwriting, straight answers, and a close that actually closes. Tell me your goal and I'll show you what's possible in about a minute.

  • Statewide California purchase financing
  • Fast, painless pre-approvals
  • Real numbers up front — no surprises at the table

What clients say.

Closed in three weeks with zero drama. I kept waiting for the catch — there wasn't one.
Maria & Tom R.
Self-employed, so I expected a nightmare. Instead it was the easiest loan I've ever done.
Devin K.
Straight answers, fast pre-approval, and my offer got accepted over two others.
Priya S.

Mortgage questions, answered.

Can I use gift funds for my down payment?

Yes. On a primary residence, a gift from a family member can fund your entire down payment. You'll need a signed gift letter and a record of the transfer — we make that part painless.

What's the minimum down payment in California?

As little as 3% down on conventional financing for qualified buyers (and 0% on some VA/USDA scenarios). Less than 20% down adds mortgage insurance, which we'll factor into your estimate.

Do you offer bank-statement (Non-QM) loans?

Yes — for self-employed buyers we offer Non-QM bank-statement programs that qualify you on deposits rather than tax returns. Great when your write-offs understate your real income.

How fast can I get pre-approved?

Often same day once we have your basics. A full pre-approval makes your offer far stronger than a generic pre-qual.

What credit score do I need?

Many programs start around 620, with the best pricing at 740+. Not there yet? We'll map a short plan to get you qualified.

See all questions

Articles & market updates.

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Get in touch with Brett.

Drop your info and I'll reach out — usually same day.

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