Adventure seeker. Strategist. First-time homebuyer advocate.
Real estate is in my DNA, but my passion lies in empowerment. In a market as competitive as Sonoma County, I believe homeownership shouldn't feel like an impossible climb—it just requires a better map. I've spent my life around this industry, and I now dedicate my career to helping millennials and families secure their first slice of property with intention.
I bring the same grit and focus to real estate that I bring to backpacking, surfing, and climbing. My goal is to help my generation stop guest-staring in the housing market and start building long-term wealth with purpose. Whether you are navigating your first purchase or looking for a place to grow, let's build a strategy to get you moving forward.
I'm driven by the idea of helping people build a life here in Sonoma County—just like I'm doing with my fiancée. To me, real estate is more than numbers and work; it's my way of helping my community and friends grow alongside the people they love.
📍 Serving Sonoma County & Beyond.
10 Ways First-Time Homebuyers Can Prepare for a Lender
Master the essential steps to strengthen your financial profile and position yourself as an ideal homebuyer. Get ready for the lending process with confidence.
Check and Clean Up Your Credit Report
Pull your free credit reports from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com. Dispute any errors you find, as even small inaccuracies can drag down your score and cost you a better interest rate.
Pay Down Revolving Debt to Lower Your Credit Utilization
Try to get your credit card balances below 30% of your credit limit — ideally below 10%. This is one of the fastest ways to boost your credit score before applying.
Avoid Opening New Lines of Credit
Every hard inquiry can temporarily ding your score. Hold off on opening new credit cards, financing furniture, or buying a car in the 6–12 months before you apply for a mortgage.
Calculate and Improve Your Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio
Add up all your monthly debt payments and divide by your gross monthly income. Most lenders want to see a DTI below 43%, but below 36% is ideal. Pay off smaller debts first to quickly reduce your ratio.
Build Up Your Savings — Beyond Just the Down Payment
Lenders want to see that you have reserves after closing. Aim to save enough for your down payment, closing costs (typically 2–5% of the loan), and 2–3 months of mortgage payments in the bank.
Document Every Source of Income
Gather your last two years of tax returns, W-2s, recent pay stubs, and bank statements. If you're self-employed or have side income, be especially thorough — lenders will want a paper trail.
Avoid Large, Unexplained Bank Deposits
Lenders scrutinize your bank statements carefully. Any large deposits that can't be explained (like gift money without a gift letter) can complicate or delay your approval.
Stay at Your Current Job
Lenders love stability. Changing jobs — especially industries — right before applying can raise red flags. If you can, wait until after closing to make any career moves.
Get Pre-Approved, Not Just Pre-Qualified
Pre-qualification is a quick estimate, but pre-approval involves a real credit check and document review. It carries much more weight with sellers and helps you know your true budget.
Shop Multiple Lenders Before Committing
Don't settle for the first offer. Compare rates and fees from at least 3–4 lenders — including banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers. Multiple mortgage inquiries within a 45-day window typically count as just one hard inquiry on your credit.
The Rivas Report: Your Private Briefing.
Don't just follow the market—stay ahead of it. Get exclusive access to off-market opportunities, precision equity-building strategies, and the data-driven pulses that Northern California's top tier relies on. This isn't just a newsletter; it's your executive edge in luxury real estate.
What Our Clients Say
Real feedback from families we've helped achieve their real estate goals in Sonoma County.
"Andrew was delightful to work with. He was always there to answer questions and hold our hands through difficult moments. He made sure he was present for all inspections and visits, even when clients were coming through with another agent. While Andrew was always professional, he was also warm and friendly at all times. Andrew clearly put our needs at the forefront of all decisions for the sale of our home, and we got a great deal. We would definitely recommend Andrew as a listing agent."
The Shwartzs
"I truly can't put into words how much my partner and I appreciate Andrew and everything he did for us. As first-time homebuyers, we started our journey in July 2025, and from the very beginning, Andrew was nothing but supportive of our (very adventurous) checklist of what we wanted in a home. He truly held our hand from start to finish. Without him, we would have been completely lost throughout the process and honestly probably would have given up at some point. He was patient, understanding, and always kind, but also very honest and straightforward when we started to drift too far from the plan, which we really appreciated. In January 2026, we finally found our home and successfully closed. We are so grateful for Andrew and cannot recommend him enough, especially to first-time homebuyers."
J & A
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LOAN DETAILS
MONTHLY PAYMENT
$2,592
All costs included
LOAN AMOUNT
$320,000
20.0% down
TOTAL INTEREST
$427,185
Over 30 years
Ready to Get Pre-Approved?
Let's discuss your homebuying goals and connect you with the right lending partner.