First time home buyer support for your first real step.
You have been imagining life as a first time home buyer while questions about savings, credit, and where to begin hold you back. We guide first time home buyers through a clear, simple process that makes your first home purchase feel possible, personal, and confident.
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Over 30,000 five star reviews and counting
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Designed for first time buyers like you.
As a first time home buyer, you are not just looking for a mortgage. You want answers and confidence, which is why our process is built around your needs to guide you clearly toward your first home.
Start with just 3% down.
First time home buyers don’t need 20% saved. With low down payment options and assistance programs, owning your first home is closer than you think!
Answers in minutes, not days.
Don’t wait on banks or brokers. See your buying power with a soft credit check that won’t touch your score.
Every step explained, every question welcomed.
We don’t speak in mortgage code. You’ll always know what’s happening, why it matters, and what comes next.
Real humans, real support, 7 days a week.
Just someone who gets it, ready to help when you need it most.
Our Rates For You
FHA 30 Year Purchase
FHA 15 Year Purchase
Rates and APR shown are based on a $350,000 loan amount, 850 credit score, primary residence, single family home, 75% loan to value ratio, and owner occupied property. Payment example assumes no other liens on the property and includes principal and interest only. Taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, and escrow items are not included and will increase the actual payment. Rates, APR, and points are subject to change without notice and may vary based on credit profile, property type, occupancy, loan to value, loan amount, and other qualifying factors. Not all borrowers will qualify.
Worried about the down payment?
Saving for a home is hard as costs keep rising, but many first time home buyers already qualify for help. With down payment assistance, grants, and buyer incentives, we help first time home buyers uncover options so cost does not stop you from reaching homeownership.
Where do you actually come out ahead?
Get pre-approved without stress or credit impact
Start by sharing your goals, budget, and what feels comfortable each month, then get a soft pull pre approval in minutes with no credit impact. For a first time home buyer, it provides a clear budget you can trust and a visible path forward.
Shop with confidence and make your move
From digital documents to e-sign closings, we’ve cut the delays that overwhelm a first time home buyer. Most close in as little as 14 days. No mail-away paperwork, no old-school bottlenecks. You handle the packing. We’ll handle the rest.
Close with clarity and support
From clear communication to on time closings, we stay with you through the final steps so nothing feels rushed or uncertain. You’ll always know what’s coming next and have support right up to the moment you get the keys.
Real people. Real challenges. Real mortgage success.
See What You Can Afford as a First Time Home Buyer
As a first time home buyer, knowing what you can afford is the first step toward peace of mind. Our affordability calculator gives you a clear picture of your budget, so you can shop for your first home with confidence instead of guesswork.
What if answers changed everything you feared?
Still unsure? Talk to someone who hears you, not a script.
Most first time home buyers can qualify with a credit score as low as 580 for FHA loans, while conventional programs may require 620 or higher. Stronger scores may unlock better rates and lower monthly payments.
Not everyone needs 20% down. First time home buyers can purchase with as little as 3% down through conventional programs or 3.5% with FHA loans. In many states, down payment assistance programs and grants make entry even easier.
Yes. Many states, cities, and lenders offer grants, forgivable loans, and tax credits for first time home buyers. These programs help cover part or sometimes all of your down payment and closing costs. Availability depends on your income, location, and loan type.
A soft credit check lets first time home buyers see their true buying power without affecting their score. It’s a fast way to understand budget, monthly payment options, and pre-approval ranges before house hunting.
With digital documents, e-signatures, and streamlined underwriting, many first time home buyers close in as little as 14 days. Traditional closings often take 30–45 days, but modern lenders remove bottlenecks.
Yes. Student loans don’t automatically disqualify you. Lenders consider your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which balances all monthly debt against income. Many first time home buyer programs are designed for borrowers managing student loan debt.
Not always. First time home buyers may access competitive mortgage rates through FHA, USDA, and VA programs, but rates also depend on credit, down payment, and income. Assistance programs can lower costs even without the lowest rate.
Still have a question?
No problem. Let’s just talk.
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Advertised offers are not guaranteed if you do not continue to meet Oxford Home Lending's criteria and other factors bearing on your creditworthiness. Rates will vary depending on your loan term, loan type, credit profile & score, down payment, qualifying ratios, and property collateral. Monthly payments do not include property taxes, property insurance, and homeowners' association dues. Since costs can vary based on a loan program, closing costs are not shown in the examples. To qualify for a mortgage, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and meet Oxford Home Lending's underwriting and Investor requirements. Interest rate examples are as of 03/03/2026 and subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to underwriting or investor approval. Other restrictions may apply. This is not an offer of credit or a commitment to lend. Rate subject to change depending on time of lock.
Lower, LLC DBA Oxford Home Lending | NMLS #1124061 | www.nmlsconsumeraccess.com.
Lower, LLC | NMLS ID# 1124061 | 5950 Symphony Woods Road Suite 312 Columbia, MD 21044 | Equal Housing Opportunity | https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org/ | Not an offer of credit or commitment to make a loan; all approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines including but not limited to acceptable current credit worthiness, income history, debt ratio, etc. Loan programs & options are subject to change at any time. Rates will vary depending on your loan term, loan type, credit profile, down payment, and qualifying ratios. Rates can change daily. Some restrictions may apply.
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Refinance: By refinancing your existing loan, your total finance charge may be higher over the life of the loan.
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