How much income do I need?

There's no minimum income. Your debt-to-income ratio matters more - typically up to 43%-50% depending on program.

What credit score do I need?

FHA goes as low as 580. Conventional needs 620. Better rates open up at 680, 720, and 740.

How much do I really need saved?

Work it from the percentages. FHA asks 3.5% down, so an illustrative $400,000 purchase needs $14,000 down, plus closing costs and prepaid items on top. Seller credits, lender credits and assistance programs can each reduce what you actually bring.

How long does the process take?

Once an offer is accepted, a straightforward purchase commonly runs 30 to 45 days. The appraisal, the title work and how fast conditions are answered are what move that number.

Loan option

First Time Home Buyer

Your first home is a milestone. We walk you through every step, every document, and every choice - with patience and zero pressure.

Get a quote Pre-qualify

What First Time Home Buyer actually is.

Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. The good news: it's also one of the most well-supported. Federal and state programs exist specifically to help first-time buyers, and Datum Home Lending maintains expertise in all of them.

We start with a free consultation. No commitment, no credit pull, no high-pressure sales pitch. We learn your goals, look at your numbers, and tell you honestly what you can afford - and what you'll need to do to get there.

Then we work on credit, savings and program selection. By the time you make an offer you hold a written pre-approval, a budget built from the full payment rather than from principal and interest alone, and a clear view of what each program costs over time.

Illustrative sample figures for a template demonstration. Not a rate quote, not an offer to lend, and not live market data.

Who this fits

Anyone purchasing their first principal residence
Buyers who haven't owned in the past 3 years (still qualifies as "first-time" for most programs)
Recent graduates, newlyweds, and growing families
Renters tired of paying someone else's mortgage

Check whether you qualify

What this program buys you.

Low Down Payment: 3% conventional, 3.5% FHA, 0% VA/USDA - we find the right fit.
Down Payment Assistance: State and county DPA programs can layer grants or low-interest second loans.
Education & Coaching: Free home-buyer education, credit prep, and budget planning.
No Pressure: You set the pace. We answer questions until you feel confident.

The process

Four moves from first call to keys.

Each step has one job and one owner. You always know which of the four the file is sitting in.

01Free ConsultationA loan officer reviews your goals, finances, and timeline - no commitment.
02Pre-ApprovalGet a written pre-approval letter to shop with confidence.
03House HuntWe coordinate with your agent and update pre-approvals as offers change.
04CloseCompare the Closing Disclosure against your Loan Estimate line by line, then sign.

Questions this program raises.

If yours is not here, ask it. You will get an answer in writing from the officer who would work the file.

Other programs

Get this priced against your own file.

Tell us the scenario and we will come back with real figures for First Time Home Buyer, and for the programs you did not ask about, so you can see all of them at once.