Sam Tello - Mortgage Loan Orginator

21/04/2026

Thinking about buying your first home? Here's where it actually starts.

Not on Zillow. Not at open houses. Not with "I'll just wait until rates drop."

It starts with knowing where you stand — and that's what this carousel walks you through.

Swipe for the exact steps I take every first-time buyer through:
→ What to check before you do anything
→ Why pre-approval comes first (not last)
→ The numbers that actually matter
→ What down payment programs exist right here in California

Most people skip the first step and it costs them months. Don't be most people.

If you're serious about buying your first home in the Inland Empire, comment HOME and I'll send you my free first-time buyer guide — same one I give my actual clients.

21/04/2026

Got a big deposit sitting in your bank account? Good — but heads up, it could actually slow down your mortgage approval if you can't explain where it came from.

Here's the deal: lenders have to source large deposits. That means if a random $3,000, $5,000, or $10,000+ hit your account recently, your loan officer is going to ask about it — and so will the underwriter.

What counts as "large"? Typically anything over 50% of your monthly income.

Here's what you do:
✅ Keep a paper trail (bank transfers, gift letters, sale receipts)
✅ Avoid moving money around right before applying
✅ Talk to your loan officer BEFORE it becomes a problem

This is exactly the kind of stuff I help people navigate every day in the Inland Empire.

Send me a DM — I'll tell you exactly where you stand.

20/04/2026

FHA or Conventional — which one actually fits YOU?

This is the #1 question I get from buyers, and most loan officers make it way more confusing than it needs to be. So let's keep it simple.

Swipe through for the straight breakdown:
→ Down payment differences
→ Credit score requirements
→ Mortgage insurance (and when it drops off)
→ Which loan usually wins in the Inland Empire

There's no "better" loan — there's the one that fits YOUR situation. It comes down to your credit, your down payment, and what you're trying to do long term.

If you're in Moreno Valley, Riverside, Beaumont, or anywhere in the IE and you're trying to figure out which way to go, comment LOAN below and I'll send you a quick breakdown based on where you're at.

17/04/2026

Down payment assistance programs in California are seriously underutilized — and most first-time buyers don't even know they exist.

Here's the truth: you may NOT need 20% down. There are programs right now that can help cover your down payment and closing costs — some are grants, some are silent loans, some are forgivable. The details matter, and eligibility depends on your income, the purchase price, and the city you're buying in.

In the Inland Empire specifically — Moreno Valley, Riverside, Beaumont — there are options that could put you in a home sooner than you think.

The problem? Most buyers either don't know about these programs or they work with someone who doesn't.

I dig into this stuff so you don't have to.

Send me a DM — I'll tell you exactly where you stand.

17/04/2026

Here's your caption:

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Your credit score doesn't have to be perfect to buy a home — but it does need to be in the right range. Here's what I tell buyers in the Inland Empire all the time:

✅ Pay down revolving balances below 30% of the limit
✅ Don't close old accounts — age matters
✅ Dispute errors on your report (yes, they happen more than you think)
✅ Avoid opening new credit before applying

Even a 20-30 point boost can move you into a better rate tier and save you thousands over the life of your loan.

If you're in Riverside, Moreno Valley, Beaumont, or anywhere in the IE — your path to homeownership might be closer than you think.

Send me a DM — I'll tell you exactly where you stand.

13/04/2026

Most people don't start thinking about their mortgage strategy until they're already in love with a house — and by then, you've lost a lot of your options. 🏡

Getting pre-approved isn't just about knowing your number. It's about knowing how to *structure* your loan so it actually works for your situation.

That's why I put together two free guides — one for buyers and one for homeowners looking to refinance. Simple, straightforward breakdowns of the different ways you can structure your mortgage before you make a move.

No pressure, no fluff. Just the stuff you should know before you're sitting at a kitchen table falling in love with a house you haven't planned for yet.

Comment **GUIDE** below and I'll send it straight to your DMs. 👇

13/04/2026

Most people don't start thinking about financing until they've already found a home they love — and that's where things get messy. By then, you're rushed, emotional, and the strategy piece gets skipped entirely.

That's exactly why I put together two free guides — one for buying and one for refinancing. They break down the different ways you can structure your mortgage so you're making smart moves *before* you're under pressure.

Whether you're just starting to think about it or you're getting serious, knowing your options ahead of time makes a huge difference.

Comment **GUIDE** below and I'll send you both breakdowns for free. 👇

12/04/2026

Most people don't start thinking about financing until they've already found a home they love — and that's where things get complicated. 😬

By then, you're rushed, emotional, and just hoping it all works out. But when you plan ahead, you actually get to be strategic about how your mortgage is structured.

That's why I put together two free guides — one for buyers and one for homeowners looking to refinance. Simple breakdowns that show you the different ways to structure your loan before you make a move.

Whether you're just starting to think about it or getting serious — this is the kind of stuff that makes a real difference.

Comment **GUIDE** below and I'll send it straight to your DMs. 👇

12/04/2026

Most people don't start thinking about their mortgage strategy until they've already found a home they love — and by then, you've lost a lot of your options.

That's exactly why I put together two free guides: one for buyers and one for anyone thinking about refinancing. They break down the different ways to structure your loan so you're making a smart move, not just a fast one.

Whether you're months away or ready to go right now, knowing your options ahead of time makes a huge difference.

Comment **GUIDE** below and I'll send you the one that fits your situation. 👇

26/09/2025

Downsizing Without Debt: How More Homeowners Are Buying Their Next House in Cash

You’ve worked hard for your home. Now it might be time for it to work hard for you.

Let’s talk about what your house is worth, and what it could unlock for you today. What would your ideal home look like if you were to downsize right now?



Contact me for more information
Sam Tello, NMLS: 479946
Cell: 909-213-5909
Email: [email protected]

If you’ve been thinking about downsizing to lower your expenses, be closer to family, or just make life easier, here's a trend worth paying attention to