A division of Solidify Mortgage Advisors
Conventional Loan
Solid credit and steady income. As little as 3% down, fixed or adjustable, no upfront MIP.
- As little as 3% down
- Fixed & adjustable rates
- No upfront MIP
California Firefighter & First Responder Mortgage Advisor
The Mortgage Advisor Who Counts Your Overtime.
Most lenders look at your base pay and stop. If you work overtime, that can quietly shrink the home you qualify for. I’m Andy Hess — a former firefighter and California mortgage advisor — and counting that income correctly is what I do. Let’s find the number you can actually afford.
NMLS #1791379
Licensed in California
5-Star Rated
Find Your Rate
Get a personalized mortgage estimate in minutes.
No credit pull. No obligation. Usually responds within 1 business day.
Overtime-income specialist
NMLS Licensed #1791379
DRE #02051920
Licensed in California
5-Star Rated
Equal Housing Lender
Working with Andy Hess was exactly what I needed to feel confident about doing a refi. Andy walked my wife and I through the steps, was insanely knowledgeable about the process and helped us see the big picture.
Built for first responders. Open to everyone.
I spent two decades as a firefighter and paramedic before I did this, so I know how public-safety pay actually works. The 56-hour weeks, the overtime, the income most lenders never count right. That’s who I built this for:
- Firefighters buying their first home or moving up
- Police, EMTs, paramedics, and nurses — anyone whose pay runs on overtime and shift differentials
- Every California homeowner and buyer who wants a straight answer and a fast close
Whether you’re in Contra Costa, the East Bay, Sacramento, or anywhere in California, I’m licensed statewide, and I pick up the phone.
200+
Loans Closed
5★
Client Rating
CA
Licensed Statewide
Why your overtime could mean more house than you’ve been told
Say your base salary is $90,000, but with overtime, you actually earn closer to $120,000. A lot of loan officers qualify you on the $90k and stop there. Done right, that overtime can count, and that gap is often the difference between the house you settle for and the one you wanted.
And it's not just base overtime. Strike team pay, out-of-county deployment, FLSA and FRA pay, paramedic differential, holiday pay — these show up on public-safety paychecks in ways most bank underwriters aren't trained to read, so they leave them out. There are rules: lenders generally want a history (typically about two years, sometimes as little as 12 months with the right documentation) and average it out, so how it's documented is everything. Done wrong, it gets thrown out. Done right, it counts. That's the part I know cold.
Want to see what your real number looks like? Start with the rate form above. Just rough numbers, no documents, and no credit pull to begin.
Loan Programs
Find the Right Loan for You
Every borrower's situation is unique. Andy works with a wide range of programs to find the best fit for your goals and financial picture.
Most Popular
🏛️
FHA Loan
Flexible qualification for first-time buyers or lower credit. Down payments from 3.5%, scores from 580.
- Down payments from 3.5%
- Credit scores from 580
- Flexible qualification
New
🎖️
VA
For eligible veterans, active-duty, and surviving spouses. $0 down, no PMI.
- $0 down payment
- No PMI required
- Competitive rates
👫
First-Time Buyer & Down Payment Assistance
CA programs (CalHFA, GSFA, and first-responder DPA) explained in plain language. Compare what you actually qualify for.
- Down payment help available
- First-responder & CalHFA programs
- Low-to-no down options
🏠
Jumbo
For high-value homes above the conforming limit. Flexible structures, personalized underwriting.
- Loans over $766,550
- Flexible structures
- Private banking terms
🛣️
Bridge / Buy Before You Sell
Move up without carrying two homes. Make a strong, non-contingent offer and close fast.
- Buy before your current home sells
- Make a non-contingent offer
- Close fast in a competitive market
💳
HELOC / Equity Line
Tap your home's equity with a flexible line of credit you draw on as needed — for renovations, debt consolidation, or large expenses.
- Draw as needed
- Pay interest only on what you use
- Keep your first mortgage
🏠
Home Equity Loan
A fixed-rate second mortgage that lets you borrow a lump sum against your equity without touching your first mortgage or its rate.
- Keep your first mortgage and rate
- Fixed rate, predictable payment
- One lump sum upfront
🔄
Reverse Mortgage
For homeowners 62+ who are house-rich but cash-poor. Access your equity to cover living expenses, supplement fixed income, or eliminate a monthly payment, all while staying in your home.
- No monthly mortgage payment
- Stay in your home
- Age in place safely
🏦
Bank Statement Loan
For self-employed borrowers who qualify using 12–24 months of bank deposits instead of tax returns.
- Qualify on deposits
- No tax returns
- Built for self-employed
📑
Alternative-Doc Loan
Flexible documentation paths for borrowers whose income doesn't fit a standard W-2 box.
- Flexible income docs
- Multiple qualifying methods
- Tailored to your situation
📈
DSCR — Rental Property Loan
A debt-service-coverage-ratio loan that qualifies on the property's rental income rather than your personal income. The property qualifies itself.
- Qualify on rental income
- No personal income docs
- Qualify on the property
🧩
Non-QM (Non-Qualified Mortgage)
For self-employed individuals and buyers without traditional W-2 income.
- Self-employed friendly
- Non-W-2 income
- Non-traditional income OK
📋
No-Doc Loan
Minimal income documentation for qualified investors and high-net-worth borrowers.
- Minimal documentation
- Asset-based options
- For qualified borrowers
Big banks only have one option. You deserve more.
Chase, Wells, and the big banks typically offer one or two loan products and really want your deposits. The loan is just the gateway. Andy works across a wide range of programs to find the one that actually fits your goals.
Not sure which loan is right for you? Andy will walk you through it. No pressure, no jargon.
Simple. Transparent. Fast.
How Working with Andy Works
No confusing mortgage jargon. No surprise fees. Just a clear process that gets you from 'thinking about it' to 'keys in hand.'
01
📞
Start the Conversation
Tell me your goals and rough numbers, including overtime if you’re a first responder. No documents, no credit pull to begin.
02
📋
Review Your Options
I pull together real scenarios with real numbers so you can compare and choose with confidence.
03
📄
Submit Your Application
Mostly digital and streamlined. I guide you through every document and keep you posted the whole way.
04
🔑
Close with Confidence
I stay involved through closing and beyond, so you always know what’s next and whom to call.
NMLS
#1791379
DRE
#02051920
Licensed
California
Meet Your Advisor
Andy Hess
Mortgage Loan Originator · Hess Mortgages
Before mortgages, I spent two decades as a firefighter and paramedic. That’s where I learned how first responders actually get paid — and why a loan has to fit a real life, not a textbook.
Now I help California families find the right mortgage, not just any mortgage. My approach is simple: understand your goals, count your income correctly, explain your options in plain language, and move fast when speed wins the house. I’m the advisor who picks up the phone and tells it to you straight.
Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing, or moving up, I’m licensed across California and I’m here when you’re ready.
200+
Loans Closed
5★
Client Rating
CA
Licensed Statewide
Client Stories
What Our Clients Say
Real words from real people who worked with Andy to find the right mortgage.
I spent 15 years before that buying different properties and no one came close to helping me feel empowered on why this was a good decision and how it would help over time.
S
Sarah M.
Repeat Homebuyer · Sacramento, CA
Andy spent time actually asking about my family, it felt less like a business transaction and more like a long term partnership. Even after the refi experience, Andy continued to keep us in mind and share valuable information about future opportunities that could benefit us. All around, it was and still is an exceptional experience.
J
James
Refinance · San Diego, CA
As a veteran, finding someone who really knows the VA loan process is so important. Andy walked me through everything and got me into my home with zero down. He's the real deal.
M
Marcus D.
VA Loan Purchase · Los Angeles, CA
Let's Find Your Real Number.
No credit pull. No commitment. Just a straight conversation about what you can afford and the options in front of you right now.
Common Questions
Firefighter & first-responder mortgage questions
Can I use my overtime income to qualify for a mortgage?
Often, yes. Lenders generally want a history of overtime — typically about two years, sometimes as little as 12 months with the right documentation — and they average it. How it’s documented is what makes or breaks it, and that’s the part I handle for you.
Do firefighters get special mortgage programs in California?
There are real first-responder and first-time-buyer programs, like CalHFA, GSFA, and local down-payment assistance, plus Good Neighbor Next Door in some areas. They change often and have specific rules, so I help you compare what you actually qualify for rather than chase a headline.
What areas do you serve?
I’m licensed statewide in California. My home base is Contra Costa County and the East Bay (Danville, Lafayette, Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch), with a lot of clients in Sacramento, but I help buyers across the state.
Will reaching out affect my credit?
No. Getting a ballpark number or asking questions involves no credit pull. A credit review only happens later, with your permission, if you decide to move forward.
I’m a police officer / nurse / EMT, not a firefighter — can you still help?
Absolutely. If your pay runs on overtime and shift differentials, the same expertise applies. Firefighters are where I started, but the income math is the same across first responders.
What’s the first step?
Start with the rate form — just rough numbers, no documents and no credit pull. I’ll come back with a real picture of what you can afford and what makes sense from there.
I'm not a first responder. Can you still help me?
Absolutely. I work with homebuyers and homeowners across California. First responders are my specialty because I lived that world, but anyone who wants straight answers and someone who counts all their income is welcome here.
Do you only work in California?
I'm licensed and focused on California, where I know the market and the programs cold. If you're out of state, reach out anyway and I'll point you in the right direction or connect you with someone who can help.
My paycheck has strike team, out-of-county, and differential pay. Does that count?
Often, yes, and it's exactly what most lenders miss. Strike team pay, out-of-county deployment, FLSA and FRA pay, and paramedic differential can frequently be used when they're documented right. Reading those line items correctly is the core of what I do.
Can I sign remotely instead of meeting a notary?
Usually, yes. Hybrid and remote online signing let you log in and sign digitally at your convenience. I'll tell you up front what's available for your loan.