· Plan · 01
First-time buyer.
First home, lots of questions. We'll cover DPA programs, FHA vs Conventional, and what your monthly payment really looks like.
What's the lowest down payment I can put?
3% with HomeReady or Home Possible (Conventional). 3.5% with FHA. $0 if you qualify for VA or USDA. Some Arizona DPA grants cover $5–20k of the down payment on top, which can effectively get you to zero out-of-pocket.
What credit score do I actually need?
580+ with FHA at the 3.5% down threshold. 620+ with Conventional. Below 580 it gets harder, but it's not always impossible — manual underwriting and certain lenders still consider these files.
How much income do I need?
There's no hard floor. Lenders look at debt-to-income ratio (typically max 43–45%), not income alone. Two people earning $40k each with no debt qualify for more than one person earning $80k with car loans and a credit card balance.
What's PMI and when does it go away?
Mortgage insurance protects the lender on low-down-payment loans. On Conventional it's removable at 20% equity (refi or amortization). On FHA it usually lasts the life of the loan unless you put 10%+ down or refinance into Conventional later.
How long does the whole process take?
25–35 days from application to keys for a clean Conventional file. FHA can run a few days longer due to stricter appraisal. Pre-approval before you make an offer takes 1–3 days.
· Still not finding it?
I'll call you back.
Two more options if none of the above clicks. Read more in the insights — or leave your number and I'll call back. Usually within 4 hours during business days.
Almost there — send the email that just opened, and I'll call you back within 4 business hours.
· Questions left?
Ask me directly.
Four quick taps tell me where you are — or skip the form and just call, text, or email. No follow-up sequence either way. About First-time buyer, or anything else.
Get started →