First time home buyers

Explore resources that can make home buying easier and more affordable

Father with young child eating together in kitchen.Featured resources:

A guide to first-time home buyer programs, loans and grants

If you’re new to homeownership, first-time home buyer assistance programs can help you with down payments and more. Discover some of your options.

13 common first-time home buyer mistakes and how to avoid them

First-time home buyers can run into many preventable setbacks throughout the purchase process. Learn 13 common home buying mistakes and how to avoid them.

15 first-time home buyer tips

Purchasing your first home can be overwhelming. These first-time home buyer tips can help you tackle the process with more confidence.

Featured resources

11-minute read

What can home buyers learn to navigate market turbulence?

How can current first-time home buyers apply today’s tools and yesterday’s lessons to navigate a turbulent housing market?

Read more

12-minute read

First-time home buyer qualifications: Requirements and programs

Learn first-time home buyer qualifications for credit, DTI, down payment, income limits, and programs. See what you may need and next steps to apply.

Read more

10-minute read

Credit score to buy a house: Minimums by loan type

Learn what credit score you need by loan type to buy a house, why higher scores matter, and steps to improve yours before applying.

Read more

13-minute read

How to avoid PMI: Your mortgage options explained

Learn how to avoid PMI with down payment strategies, loan options, and removal steps that may lower your mortgage payment. Explore your options today.

Read more

9-minute read

Tax deductions for homeowners: 9 breaks to know in 2026

Learn which tax deductions for homeowners may apply, from mortgage interest and property taxes to HELOC interest, and when itemizing can help. Start here.

Read more

7-minute read

Down payment assistance programs: What they are, and how they work

Learn how down payment assistance programs work, who qualifies, and where to find grants or loans that can help with upfront home buying costs. Start here.

Read more