Everything You Need

$10,000 is a solid start. Depending on your target price and loan type, that could be enough for a down payment on a more affordable home. There are also programs that let you put down as little as 3% to 5%, which means $10,000 could cover your down payment and some closing costs on a home in the $200,000 to $300,000 range. And if you're a first-time buyer or have served in the military, there may be even more flexible options available to you.

The best next step is a no-obligation conversation where I walk you through what's realistic for your income, credit, and local market. We can also connect you with a lender who will explain every number clearly.

$25,000 gives you quite a bit of flexibility. On a conventional loan with 5% down, that opens up opportunities in the $350,000 to $400,000 range. It also gives you room to cover closing costs, prepaid items like property taxes and insurance, and even some initial repairs or updates after you move in.

With this kind of savings, you may also have the option to put down a larger down payment to lower your monthly payment, or keep some cash in reserve for emergencies. Let's talk about what approach fits your goals best.

Down-payment assistance programs exist and they help more people than you'd think. In Oregon and Washington, there are state and local programs that offer grants, low-interest loans, or deferred-payment loans to help cover your down payment and sometimes even closing costs.

Eligibility varies based on income, location, and home price, but a lot of buyers qualify and don't even know it. I can connect you with a lender who specializes in these programs and explain which ones you may be eligible for. There's no cost to find out.

This is actually pretty common. In many transactions, buyers ask the seller to contribute toward their closing costs, and sellers often agree, especially in certain market conditions. It's called a seller concession or seller credit, and it can cover things like loan origination fees, title insurance, prepaid taxes, and more.

There are limits on how much a seller can contribute based on your loan type, but a good agent (that's me) will know exactly how to structure your offer to make it work. We'll talk about the numbers and find a strategy that fits your situation.

You are not alone in feeling this way. Many buyers assume their credit isn't good enough and never take the first step. The truth is that there are loan programs designed for a wide range of credit scores, including FHA loans (which can go as low as 580 or even lower in some cases) and USDA or VA loans with flexible guidelines.

Even if your credit needs some work, I can connect you with a lender who will give you a real, no-judgment assessment and a clear path to improvement. The most important thing is to know where you stand, and I can help you do that without any pressure.