When you're a first-time home buyer, someone purchasing a home for the first time, often eligible for special programs and financial help. Also known as first-time buyer, it’s not just about saving up—it’s about knowing where to look for support. In Virginia, that help is real. You don’t need a 20% down payment. You don’t need a perfect credit score. You just need to know what’s out there.
Many first-time buyers in Virginia turn to VA loans, mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, available to eligible service members, veterans, and surviving spouses. Also known as VA mortgage, these let you buy with $0 down and no private mortgage insurance. If you’re not military, FHA loans, government-insured mortgages that allow low down payments and flexible credit requirements. Also known as FHA mortgage, they’re still a solid option with as little as 3.5% down. Then there’s the USDA loan, a zero-down mortgage for buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas across Virginia. Also known as rural housing loan, it’s often overlooked but can be a game-changer if you’re looking outside big cities. And don’t forget Virginia’s own Virginia Housing Development Authority, the state agency that offers down payment assistance, low-interest loans, and homebuyer education for qualifying first-time buyers. Also known as Virginia Housing, it’s where you’ll find grants that don’t have to be paid back. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re tools real people use to buy homes.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t fluff. It’s straight talk about what you actually need: how much cash to save for a down payment in 2025, what lenders really look for, and which programs you can qualify for even if your income is modest. You’ll see how VA, FHA, and state grants stack up. You’ll learn what happens when you combine them. And you’ll get the truth about hidden costs—closing fees, property taxes, insurance—that trip up too many first-time buyers.
This isn’t about dreaming of a house. It’s about making it happen. The posts here were written for people who are tired of hearing "you can’t afford it" and want to know: "What’s my next step?"
