Nobody teaches you how to buy a house. At some point you are handed a stack of documents you have never seen before, asked to sign, and told to trust the process.
That is not good enough.
Todd Gehrke built his practice on a teacher’s mindset. Before he was one of America’s top loan officers, he taught high school. The lesson he learned: when people understand exactly what they are doing and why, they make better decisions and feel confident about them.
First-time buyers get the same experience that has earned Todd the Five Star Professional designation every year since 2003. Clear explanations. Honest comparisons. A mortgage that fits your actual life — not just your debt-to-income ratio. And a loan officer who picks up the phone.
A loan officer who answers the phone — not a call center
3.5% down, flexible credit requirements, backed by the federal government. Popular choice for buyers with less than 20% down and/or lower credit scores.
As low as 3% down with no FHA fees for buyers with strong credit. Lower long-term cost than FHA for qualified borrowers.
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority offers down payment assistance loans and below-market rates for income-qualifying first-time buyers. Todd will determine if you qualify.
Various programs available through state, county, and nonprofit sources. Many go unclaimed because buyers don’t know they exist. Todd does.
Zero down for eligible veterans and active military. No PMI. One of the best mortgage programs available if you qualify.
It depends on the loan type. FHA requires 3.5% down plus closing costs (typically 2–3% of the purchase price). Conventional can be as low as 3% down. CHFA programs can help reduce upfront costs for qualifying buyers. On a $450,000 home, you might need $15,000–$25,000 to close depending on the program.
FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 (with 3.5% down) or 500 (with 10% down). Conventional loans typically require 620+, though the best rates come at 740+. Todd will pull your credit and show you exactly which programs you qualify for and what your rate would be at each tier.
Yes. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) offers down payment assistance loans and grants, along with below-market mortgage rates, for income-qualifying first-time buyers. Eligibility depends on income, purchase price, and property location. Todd is familiar with CHFA and will determine if you qualify.
Pre-qualification is a rough estimate based on information you provide — no credit check, no verified documentation. It carries little weight in an offer situation. Pre-approval involves a hard credit pull and review of actual income and asset documentation. It is the standard in the Denver market and tells sellers you are a serious, verified buyer.
Once you find a home and go under contract, the typical timeline from application to close is 20–30 days. Getting pre-approved before you start shopping is strongly recommended — it puts you in a position to move fast when you find the right home.
Choosing based on rate alone. The rate is important, but so is the total cost (points and fees), the loan type fit for your situation, and whether the lender will actually close on time. Todd will show you the APR and true cost comparison for every option — not just the headline rate.