Secure Your First Time Home Buyer Mortgage with LendFriend
Waiting for the "perfect time" to buy a home? Doing so leaves you on the sidelines while home prices keep going up. With the expert guidance on first time home buyer mortgages, you may be able to buy sooner, with less stress and more clarity. Learn your real options to become a homeowner without guessing or waiting on the market.
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Make Smart Choices as a First Time Home Buyer
First time home buyer loans are designed specifically for people entering the housing market for the first time. These loans offer options and programs that can make buying your first home more achievable.
With our guidance, you can:
- Learn how different loan types, programs, and incentives work
- Structure your finances in a way that fits your goals and long-term stability
- Take advantage of opportunities that make homeownership manageable
- Understand how interest rates, credit requirements, and loan structures affect your purchase
LendFriend Mortgage provides the tools and guidance which empower you to get first time home buyer mortgages smartly and move into your first home confidently.
First Time Home Buyer Mortgage Programs
First time homebuyers have several mortgage options to fit different needs and financial situations. Each program is designed to make homeownership more accessible and affordable. Our first time home buyer mortgage brokers can help you with:
Conventional Loans
Ideal for most first time buyers, conventional loans offer flexible terms, low down payments starting at 3%, and competitive rates. With strong credit, you can get homeownership confidently and start building equity faster.
VA Loans
Veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses can take advantage of VA loans. With zero down, no PMI, and lower rates, this program makes homeownership more affordable for those who’ve served.
Jumbo Loans
For higher-value properties, jumbo loans provide the financing power you need. These loans cover primary homes, second residences, and investment properties by offering competitive rates and flexible terms to make large purchases easier.
FHA Loans
A smart choice for first time buyers or those with lower credit scores, FHA loans feature flexible credit requirements and down payments as low as 3.5% which helps more buyers qualify for their first home.
Non-QM Mortgage Programs for First Time Buyers
Not all homebuyers fit the traditional W-2 or tax return model. With access to hundreds of mortgage investors, LendFriend Mortgage offers non-QM home loan options to make homeownership possible for borrowers who are self-employed, have significant assets, or invest in cryptocurrency.
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Asset Depletion Mortgage
High-net-worth buyers can use their bank accounts, investments, or retirement funds as income to qualify for their dream home. No W-2s required.
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Bank Statement Loans
Self-employed borrowers, freelancers, and 1099 earners can use real cash-flow documentation instead of tax returns to get approved more easily.
Crypto-Backed Mortgages
Bitcoin and Ethereum investors can qualify for a home loan using their digital holdings without liquidating their assets, keeping investments working while buying a home.
Get Real-Time Updates on Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates change daily. Our free Rate Alerts notify you of 1st time home buyer mortgage rates so you can get the best deal.
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Protect Your Homebuying Process from the Wrong Realtor
Working with the wrong realtor can create delays, unexpected costs, and unnecessary stress during your first home purchase. Common pitfalls include:
- Skipping mortgage pre-approval and wasting time looking at homes you may not qualify for
- Overestimating what you can afford and creating financial strain later
- Overlooking hidden costs like closing fees, taxes, and insurance
- Buying the wrong home or in the wrong neighborhood as a result of poor market research by the realtor resulting in a loss on your investment
LendFriend connects you with trusted realtors who help you understand your options and make your first home purchase smooth and successful.
How We Make Homebuying Simple for First Time Buyers
We guide you through each step with clear explanations, smart tools, and support that actually makes sense for new buyers.
How we help:
- Get preapproved quickly, so you know your price range.
- Review loan options together and pick the best fit for your goals.
- Compare 1st time home buyer mortgage rates to find the option that works best for your situation.
- Support you during home shopping by helping you understand market conditions, evaluate properties, and plan a smart offer strategy.
- Negotiate a strong offer with guidance on contingencies, upfront underwriting, or quick-close strategies when needed in multiple-offer situations.
- Walk through the required documents and help you gather everything needed for underwriting.
- Coordinate with your realtor, appraiser, and title company to keep timelines on track.
- Monitor rates and notify you when it’s the right time to lock.
- Guide you through closing so you understand each step and final costs.
Our First Time Homebuyer Toolkit
We offer a free first time homebuyer toolkit that gives you the guidance, calculators, and resources you need to save money and make smarter decisions, whether you’re buying in Austin, Los Angeles, Denver, or Houston.
Here’s how the toolkit helps you win:
- Save on your first time home buyer mortgage rate
- Reduce closing costs and negotiate stronger seller concessions
- Understand how much you can afford with real numbers
- Compare neighborhoods, pricing, and loan terms with confidence
More than 5,000 Texas homebuyers have already used these tools to get better deals and stress-free approvals with LendFriend Mortgage, a first time home buyer mortgage broker in the USA.
Resources to Help First Time Homebuyers Succeed
Buyers can close on their dream home in as little as 14 days with our guidance and support.
Find the Right Realtor
Use our free realtor-matching service to connect with a trusted local expert who knows your market and can guide you through the process.
Stay Informed with Our Free Newsletter
Sign up for The REcap to get the latest on mortgage rates and market trends so you can lock in savings at the right time.
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Plan Your Budget with Confidence
Our mortgage calculator helps you see your monthly payment, adjust loan types or down payments, and plan your budget before making any commitments.
See Why First Time Homebuyers Trust LendFriend
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We worked with the LendFriend team and could not recommend it more. As first time home buyers, there is a lot to learn - and LendFriend know how to share their knowledge with patience and professionalism.For anyone considering working with them, just go ahead and give them a call. You will not regret it.
Jesper Holdensen
Closed June 2025 -
Wow my husband and I were truly impressed with how easy the LendFriend team made our home buying experience. Eric and his team took extra care in explaining and outlining each step -- a real customer first experience. On top of that, each member of the team was incredibly knowledgeable, organized, and responsive; resulting in an expeditious close! The website promise of working around the clock to support you is 100% factual, we had staff answering questions late night and weekends. The entire team was a real pleasure to work with, so if you are looking for a mortgage broker look no further, LendFriend is the team for you! They will give you peace of mind, get you the best rates, and make you feel confident when buying your home :)
Sarah Carr
Closed May 2025 -
I had an exceptional experience with LendFriend Mortgage! From start to finish, the team made the process smooth, transparent, and stress-free. They took the time to explain every detail, answered all my questions promptly, and ensured I felt confident every step of the way. The customer service was outstanding—friendly, professional, and genuinely focused on helping me get the best possible rate. My closing was quick and seamless, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I highly recommend LendFriend Mortgage, Eric, and Chelsey to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy lender!
Katia
Closed August 2025 -
As a first home buyer, the team helped me tremendously through the entire process. They explained every single step and answered my million questions. I have a better understanding thanks in part them, of this whole process when i go through it again in the future. Thank you!!!
Dom
Closed July 2025 -
LendFriend Mortgage was such a wonderful company to work with as a first-time homebuyer. I found them through Google reviews, reached out, and connected with Eric that same day. He was friendly, responsive, and made the whole process feel much less overwhelming.
Stephanie Yeager
Closed July 2025 -
Highly recommend LendFriend!!! As daunting as the process can be to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan, the entire team was great that we worked with that got us to the finish line. Each team member helped us in clearly communicating each step to ensure every step was smooth, in addition being available for a quick call to walk through our questions and concerns when needed. LendFriend was also very competitive with rates and dropped our interest rate last minute right before we closed! They got the job done and made it as stress free as possible.
Ingrid Eichenberger
Closed December 2024
Stronger Negotiating Position when Buying a Home
The equity in your current home is unlocked and used as a downpayment on your new home; meaning no sales contingency required! Sellers HATE sales contingencies. Without a sales contingency, your offer is stronger, increasing your chances of buying your next home with ease.
Get the Highest and Best Sale Price
Without feeling pressured to sell quickly, you can wait for the best offer on your current home. List your home at the best time, market it effectively, and attract more competitive offers. With no rush, you can negotiate better terms and get the highest selling price.
Reduced Stress
Don't worry about finding temporary housing or organizing multiple moves. Avoid the chaos of having to coordinate the sale of your current home and the purchase of a new one. Transition seamlessly from one home to another and reduce stress or anxiety, making the moving process more manageable and organized.
Time for Improvements
Make necessary renovations or updates to your new property before you move in. Painting, remodeling, or other improvements would be more challenging if you were already living there. Moving into a freshly updated home (instead of living in it during renovations) is just so much nicer!
Build Homebuying Confidence Through Learning
Knowledge makes the homebuying process easier and less stressful. Our Learning Center provides everything you need to understand buying a home, refinancing options, and making smart financial decisions. Read our expert articles here:
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Frequently Asked Questions from First Time Homebuyers
What counts as a first‑time home buyer?
A first time home buyer isn’t just someone who has never owned a home. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), you may qualify if you haven’t owned a principal residence in the last three years. This definition also includes single parents who previously owned a home with an ex-spouse, displaced homemakers who only owned property with a spouse, or anyone whose current home doesn’t meet state or local building codes and can’t be fixed.
What mortgage programs are available for first‑time buyers?
First time homebuyers have a variety of mortgage options to make homeownership accessible and manageable. Conventional loans offer flexible terms for buyers with strong credit. FHA loans are ideal for those with lower credit scores, requiring as little as 3.5% down. VA loans provide zero-down options for eligible veterans and service members, while jumbo loans cover higher-value properties. For self-employed or high-net-worth buyers, programs like bank statement loans, asset depletion mortgages, and even crypto-backed loans provide alternative ways to qualify for a home.
What is the average down payment on a house for a first time buyer?
Many first time buyers put down between 5% and 10% of the home’s purchase price, though some programs allow as little as 3% or 3.5%. The right down payment depends on your financial situation, loan program, and long-term goals. A smaller down payment can make buying your first home more achievable, while a larger down payment may reduce your monthly mortgage payments and overall interest costs.
Do I need a good credit score to qualify?
A higher credit score usually means lower interest rates, but first time buyers with moderate or improving credit can still qualify for many programs. Some government-backed loans, like FHA loans, are more flexible with credit. What matters most is showing a stable income, manageable debts, and a plan for repaying your mortgage.
Can I still buy a home if I have student loans or other debts?
Yes, having student loans or other debts doesn’t automatically prevent you from buying a home. Lenders look at your overall debt-to-income ratio to determine how much mortgage you can comfortably afford. With manageable monthly payments and a stable income, many first time buyers with existing debt still qualify for a mortgage. Working with a knowledgeable mortgage broker can help you understand how your debts impact your options and plan a strategy that works for your financial goals.
Your First Home Awaits
Your homeownership is closer than you think. Let us help you find the right mortgage and make it happen.