Buying your first home should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Our First-Time Buyer Program pairs you with a dedicated loan officer who explains every step, helps you compare low down payment options and will even fill out the application for you.
There is no single first-time buyer loan. Instead, several programs are built to make a first purchase easier, including conventional loans with 3% down, FHA loans with 3.5% down, and zero-down VA and USDA loans. You generally count as a first-time buyer if you have not owned a home in the past three years.
Options from 0% to 3.5% down depending on the program.
Our team will fill out the loan application for you.
Gift funds and assistance programs may be combined with your loan.
Reach your loan officer by cell, including evenings and weekends.
Choose a topic to jump to the details.
Start with a pre-approval so you know your budget. Then shop for homes, make an offer, complete the appraisal and underwriting, and sign at closing. Your loan officer will walk you through each milestone.
Most purchases close in about 30 to 45 days after an accepted offer.
Back to topicsConventional loans reward good credit and let you remove PMI later. FHA loans are more forgiving on credit. VA and USDA loans offer zero down for eligible borrowers. We will price the options side by side.
Back to topicsClosing costs typically run a few percent of the purchase price and include lender fees, title, escrow and prepaid items like insurance and taxes. Sellers can often contribute toward them.
Back to topicsPay every bill on time, keep credit card balances low and avoid opening new accounts before you apply. Even a small improvement in your score can lower your rate.
We can run a free review and show which changes would make the biggest difference.
Back to topicsLenders look at your debt-to-income ratio: your total monthly debts including the new house payment, divided by gross monthly income. Many programs allow 43% to 50%, but a comfortable budget is often lower.
Your payment includes principal, interest, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, mortgage insurance and any HOA dues. Use our calculator for a quick estimate, then we will give you exact numbers.
Back to topicsWe review income, credit and savings so you know your price range and have a letter for offers.
Work with your real estate agent. We can update your pre-approval for each offer.
Once your offer is accepted, we lock your rate and finalize the application together.
We order the appraisal and handle underwriting conditions for you.
Review your Closing Disclosure, sign, and move in.
Every file is different. Your loan officer will send an exact list.
Have a question that is not answered here? Ask a loan officer.
Generally anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years.
It can be as little as 0% with VA or USDA, 3% with some conventional programs, or 3.5% with FHA.
Yes. A pre-approval tells you your budget and makes your offer stronger.
Yes. Most programs allow gift funds with a signed gift letter.
Many programs define first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a home in the last three years, so previous owners may qualify.
A pre-qualification is an estimate. A pre-approval means we have reviewed your credit, income and assets, which makes your offer stronger.
Talk to a loan officer
Tell us a little about your plans. A licensed loan officer will call you, usually the same business day.
Prefer to call? (800) 592-8882