First-time buyer

First-time home buyer in Washington: what it really costs

Cash you need: down payment (3% conventional, 3.5% FHA, 0% VA, or with our down payment assistance) plus about 2% of the price in closing costs and prepaids. On a $600,000 home with 3.5% down that's roughly $21,000 + $12,000.

Programs that cut it: our first-time buyer assistance (3.5% toward the down payment plus up to 1.5% toward closing costs; details), seller-paid closing costs (your agent negotiates these), and lender credits.

Steps: price your loan on this page, pre-approve yourself in four screens, shop with the pre-approval in hand, lock when you're under contract. Call or text us at any point; most first-time buyers do it once, right before making an offer.