Evan Cardenas helps you buy, refinance, or tap your home equity with clear answers, side-by-side options, and fast closings. Get pre-approved online in minutes, or book a call to talk through your numbers. There's no obligation.
NMLS #1463065 · Licensed in AZ, CA, CO · (480) 334-7827
Pick your goal. Each page explains how the loan works, who it fits, what it costs, and the questions borrowers ask most.
First-time and move-up buyers: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo, plus local down payment help.
Explore buying →Lower your rate or term, take cash out, or use an FHA Streamline or VA IRRRL.
See refinance options →Programs, down payment assistance, and a step-by-step guide to buying in Arizona.
First-time buyer guide →For self-employed borrowers and investors: bank statement, DSCR, 1099, no-income, and no-ratio loans.
Alternative income loans → 5-day closing*A fully automated, no-documentation application. Tap your equity and keep your low first-mortgage rate.
Tap your equity →HECM and proprietary options that let homeowners 62+ turn home equity into cash flow.
Learn about reverse → One-Time CloseFinance the lot, the build, and your permanent mortgage with one closing.
Build your home →Multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial property financing for investors and business owners.
Commercial options →*Typical timeline once the application is complete; it isn't guaranteed. Subject to credit approval, property eligibility, and program guidelines.
See your estimated payment, how much home fits your budget, and whether a refinance pays for itself before you talk to anyone.
Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance in one monthly estimate.
Estimate payment →"How much house can I afford on my salary?" Answered with your income and debts.
Check budget →How many months until your savings cover the closing costs.
Find break-even →Compare the long-term cost of renting with owning in your market.
Compare →Calculator results are estimates for illustration only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend.
Evan Cardenas is a Loan Officer (NMLS 1463065) with UMortgage+ powered by NEXA Lending, licensed in Arizona, California and Colorado.
Apply online in about 15 minutes. We review your credit, income, and assets and tell you what you qualify for.
See programs side by side, with rate, payment, and cash to close, so you can choose with confidence.
Once you're under contract, or ready to refinance, lock your rate and we order the appraisal and title.
Underwriting signs off, you sign your documents, and your loan funds. We keep you updated at every step.
Mesa and the East Valley remain among the Phoenix metro's more attainable pockets for buyers who want space and newer inventory, while Scottsdale and parts of north Phoenix often price higher for the same bedroom count. Inventory and days on market shift with rates, so buyers who are pre-approved and clear on payment comfort usually negotiate better than shoppers still guessing at affordability. Condos and townhomes can open doors at lower price points; always confirm HOA dues and any special assessments before you lock a budget.
Statewide down payment and closing cost help of up to 4% as a no-interest, no-payment second mortgage that is forgiven after 5 years. You don't have to be a first-time buyer; borrower income must be $155,386 or less (as of April 6, 2026), and one borrower completes a homebuyer education course.
Program details (opens in new tab) →Down payment and closing cost assistance of 3% to 6% of the loan for homes anywhere in Maricopa County, paired with an FHA, VA, or qualifying Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan. It requires a 640 minimum credit score, income limits, and an 8-hour homebuyer education course; some assistance options have run out of 2026 funds, so ask which are open.
Program details (opens in new tab) →Read the Arizona Homebuying Guide
Program terms, income limits, and funding change often and are set by the program administrator. Updated 2026-10-15.
Market tips, rate updates, and client wins from Evan Cardenas.
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Most lenders want your total monthly debts, including the new house payment, to be roughly 36–45% of your gross monthly income or less, and some programs allow more. As a rough example, a $70,000 salary ($5,833/month) with few other debts often supports a total house payment of about $2,000–$2,400. Your rate, taxes, insurance, and down payment decide the final price. A pre-approval gives you your real number.
Usually far less than 20%. Conventional loans start at 3% down for qualified first-time buyers, FHA at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require 0% down. On a $300,000 home, that's $9,000 (3%) or $10,500 (3.5%), plus closing costs. Down payment assistance programs in Arizona may cover part of it.
Often, yes. $10,000 can cover a 3–3.5% down payment on a home priced around $285,000–$330,000. Seller credits or down payment assistance can help with closing costs. Whether it's enough depends on the price, the loan program, and the closing costs in your area.
Yes. An FHA loan is a regular mortgage that you repay monthly. The Federal Housing Administration insures it for the lender, which is why it allows lower down payments and credit scores. FHA loans include mortgage insurance. Some down payment assistance paired with an FHA loan is a grant or a forgivable second loan, and that part may not need to be repaid.
Refinancing is usually worth it when your monthly savings cover the closing costs before you plan to move or refinance again. That's your break-even point. The old "2% rule" (refinance only when rates drop 2 points) is outdated. Even a 0.5–1% drop can pay off on a larger loan if you'll stay long enough. Refinancing can also make sense to remove mortgage insurance, shorten your term, or take cash out.
Refinance closing costs usually run about 2–5% of the loan amount, so roughly $6,000–$15,000 on $300,000. That covers lender, appraisal, title, and recording fees. You can often roll the costs into the loan or take a slightly higher rate in exchange for lender credits. Streamline options such as the FHA Streamline and VA IRRRL can cost less.
Yes. Conventional rate-and-term refinances can go up to about 97% loan-to-value, FHA up to about 97.75%, and the FHA Streamline and VA IRRRL often need no appraisal at all. Cash-out refinances generally require more equity: you usually keep at least 20% (VA allows more).
Your rate depends on market conditions (bond yields), your credit score, your down payment or equity, the loan type and term, the property type and use, and whether you buy discount points. Rates change daily, so the best way to see yours is a personalized quote, not an advertised average.
These are general educational answers, not loan approvals or rate quotes. Eligibility, terms, and costs depend on your situation and current program guidelines.
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Applying for pre-approval takes about 15 minutes. Prefer to talk first? Book a call with Evan or call (480) 334-7827.