Make Your First Time Homebuyer Journey
Easier and More Affordable

One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that you need 20% down to buy your first home — and honestly, that myth keeps a lot of people renting longer than they need to. A recent survey found that 41% of first-time home buyers still believe 20% is required, but the reality is very different.

The average first-time home buyer actually puts down 7% to 8%, but it’s common — and totally normal — to put down less. There are multiple loan programs built specifically for first-time buyers that offer 0% down (VA and USDA), 3% down conventional loans, 3.5% down for FHA, and 5% down conventional. These lower down payment options are some of the most frequently used by buyers under 35.

Your down payment doesn’t have to be the roadblock you think it is. The key is starting early with a lender who knows these programs and can help you explore down payment assistance, grants, and creative strategies designed to get first-time buyers like you into a home without draining your savings.

Yes, you absolutely can — and honestly, most first-time buyers do. Having student loans or credit card debt doesn’t automatically disqualify you from buying a home. What lenders really care about is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) — the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward debt payments. As long as your monthly payments fit within lending guidelines — typically below 45% of your gross income — you can qualify for many mortgage programs.

Student loans, in particular, scare a lot of buyers — but they don’t have to. We’ve helped first-time buyers with $200K to $300K in student loan debt still qualify for a mortgage and buy their first home. The secret is understanding how different loan programs calculate student loan payments — and working with a lender who knows how to navigate it.

The key is connecting early with a specialist who understands first-time buyer programs and debt strategy — not someone who sees your student loans and just says no. Planning ahead turns what feels impossible into a real path forward, no matter what your debt looks like.

It’s a question almost every first-time buyer asks — but waiting for the “perfect market” often leads to years of renting and missing out on building equity. And in today’s high-rent market, the smartest financial strategy is to start thinking of your first home as a rent replacement — a way to stop paying someone else’s mortgage and start building your own future.

Buying your first home doesn’t have to mean finding your forever home right now — it’s about making a smart move that opens up more options down the line as you pay into your own equity instead of your landlord’s pocket.

The best time to buy is when you’re prepared, not when headlines make it sound ideal. Instead of trying to time the market, focus on building a plan that gets you ready to act when the right opportunity comes up. The right team and strategy can help you understand your local market, avoid costly delays, and make sure you don’t sit on the sidelines longer than you need to.

The right agent makes all the difference — especially when it’s your first home. You should feel comfortable asking questions, getting real answers, and working with someone who actually wants to help first-time buyers — not just push you through the process.

What most people don’t realize is that many of those “preferred agents” you find online or through referral sites paid to be there — it’s advertising, not a guarantee of experience or skill. Big platforms sell those spots, which means you could get matched with someone who bought the lead — not necessarily someone qualified to guide you.

Here’s the good news — you’re already in the right place. This isn’t just another referral site. We’ve already done the work to connect you with personally vetted, experienced realtors who specialize in first-time buyers and actually want to guide you through this process.

But finding the right agent is just the start. What you really need is a plan, a strategy, and support from professionals who care — wherever you’re starting from. And that’s exactly what this is built for.

The biggest mistake most first-time buyers make? Waiting too long to get help and build a plan. So many people think they need to figure it all out before reaching out — and that’s exactly what leads to rushed decisions, missed opportunities, and costly errors.

The smartest thing you can do is start early — even if you’re a year or more out — with a team that knows how to protect first-time buyers from common (and expensive) pitfalls. That means working with an experienced agent and lender who guide you through credit prep, savings strategies, loan options, and market education, so you’re ready when the right home appears.

And it doesn’t stop there — a great team will also help you find trusted inspectors and local professionals who know how to spot red flags. Together, they’ll protect you from buying a money pit and help you make smart, confident decisions every step of the way.

Many first-time buyers qualify with a credit score as low as 580 for FHA loans, while most conventional loans require 620 or higher. A score of 740 or above typically unlocks the best rates and lowest fees. But lenders use credit score tiers, so even a 20-point improvement can lower your interest rate and reduce your private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs.

Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when qualifying you for a mortgage — and improving it takes time. That’s why our trusted pros work with you on a credit improvement strategy while guiding you through every step of your home buying plan to maximize your buying power.

In fact, your credit score is the first piece of what’s called “The Big Three” — credit, debt, and savings — all working together to determine what you can afford. Credit changes take the most time, so starting early is critical to improving your options and setting yourself up for success.

Pro Tip: Check your credit reports directly at AnnualCreditReport.com. Our experts will help you make smart moves to boost your score while building your full home buying plan — so you’re ready when the right home appears.