Buying your first house is exciting and a little terrifying — and it shouldn't be. I explain every step in plain English, shop 100+ wholesale lenders for the lowest-barrier program you qualify for, and hold your hand from application to keys. No jargon, no pressure, just a local broker in your corner.
The biggest myth in home buying is that you need 20% down. You don't. Some government-backed loans allow very low or even zero down for eligible buyers, and Arizona down payment assistance can help cover the rest. Plenty of first-time buyers in Show Low and Pinetop are renting while sitting on enough to buy — they just don't know which door to walk through. My job is to find the lowest-barrier path you actually qualify for.
There's no single magic number. Some programs work with scores in the low 600s, and certain government-backed options go lower. Here's the advantage of working with a broker: because I shop 100+ lenders, I can often place a first-time buyer a single bank would flatly turn away. If your credit isn't perfect, that doesn't mean you can't buy — it means we find the right lender for your file. The best first step is a quick pre-approval so you know exactly where you stand.
Arizona has state and agency programs that provide a grant or a second loan to help cover your down payment and closing costs. Used right, they can get you into a home with little or nothing out of pocket. But here's the catch most people miss: assistance only helps if it's paired with the right first mortgage, and not every lender participates.
I know which programs are open, who they fit, and how the help layers on top of your loan. Then I shop the whole package across 100+ lenders so the assistance doesn't quietly cost you a worse loan on the other side. And if a simple low-down loan gets you there cheaper, I'll tell you that too. You don't have to be a first-time buyer for many of these — some just require that you haven't owned recently.
1. Pre-approval. We start with a short, secure application. I review your income, credit, and goals and send you a pre-approval letter — often within a day or two — so you know your budget before you tour a single home.
2. House hunting. You shop with confidence, knowing your number. Because I'm also a licensed Realtor, I understand what makes your offer competitive when you find the one.
3. Under contract to closing. This is where I earn it. I chase every condition, coordinate with everyone, and keep you updated so nothing stalls. You'll always know where things stand — you should never have to project-manage your own loan.
4. Keys. Most purchases close in around 30 days, and then the house is yours.
A bank hands you its one loan and a stack of paperwork. First-timers deserve better than that — you deserve options and someone who explains things without making you feel dumb for asking. As an independent broker, I bring you the winner out of 100+ lenders and walk beside you the whole way. This is one of the biggest decisions of your life. It should feel that way, in a good way.
Ready to buy? See Purchase Loans. Building your first home instead of buying? See Construction & One-Time-Close. Curious about the whole menu? See All Loan Programs.
Start with a pre-approval so you know your budget before you fall in love with a house. I review your income, credit, and goals, explain every step in plain English, and shop 100+ lenders for the lowest-barrier program you qualify for. You get options and a straight explanation — not a sales pitch — from application all the way to keys.
Less than most people think. Some government-backed loans allow very low or even zero down for eligible buyers, and Arizona down payment assistance can help cover the down payment and closing costs. Because I shop 100+ lenders, I can match first-time buyers to the lowest-barrier option they actually qualify for.
There's no single magic number. Some programs work with scores in the low 600s, and certain government-backed options go lower. Because I shop 100+ lenders, I can often place a first-time buyer a single bank would turn away. The best first step is a quick pre-approval so you know exactly where you stand.
Yes. Arizona state and agency programs can provide a grant or a second loan to help cover your down payment and closing costs, so you can get in with little or nothing out of pocket. Not every lender participates, and it only helps if paired with the right first mortgage. I know which programs are open and shop the whole package so the help doesn't quietly cost you a worse loan.
Not always. Many low-down and assistance programs are aimed at first-time buyers, but plenty don't require it — and some define "first-time" as not having owned a home in the last few years. I'll tell you which programs you qualify for based on your actual situation, first home or not.
First-timers deserve options and a straight explanation, not one bank's single loan. As an independent broker through Barrett Financial Group, I shop 100+ lenders to match you to the lowest-barrier program you qualify for, walk you through every step, and hold your hand from application to keys. For a nervous first purchase, that guidance is worth a lot.
Start with a quick pre-approval and I'll show you your options — down payment, programs, and the whole path. No jargon, no pressure. Equal Housing Opportunity.