First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Buying your first home in California or Georgia can feel overwhelming, but the right combination of loan program and assistance can make it much more achievable.

This page shows how first-time buyer programs work and how they connect to the loan types on the Home Purchase Loans and Loan Comparison Guide pages.

Who Counts as a First-Time Homebuyer?

Many programs use a surprisingly flexible definition:

  • Often, you’re considered “first-time” if you haven’t owned a home in the last three years.
  • Some programs support repeat buyers as well, especially in targeted areas.

Loan Types Common for First-Time Buyers

First-time buyers often use:

First-time buyer programs are often layered with Down Payment Assistance to reduce cash to close.

Common First-Time Buyer Benefits

  • Reduced minimum down payment
  • Closing cost assistance or grants
  • Fixed-rate mortgage options for payment stability
  • Homebuyer education that helps you navigate the process confidently

First-Time Buyer Focus in California & Georgia

As a broker in California and Georgia, I often help first-time buyers in:

  • California: Inland Empire markets (Riverside & San Bernardino) and entry-level pockets of Oceanside and North County San Diego
  • Georgia: Metro Atlanta neighborhoods with strong first-time buyer activity

For hyper-local opportunities, visit Local Mortgage Programs.

Next Steps: Build Your First-Time Buyer Plan

We’ll match your credit, income, and savings to the right combination of loan type and assistance programs, then give you a clear pre-approval.

Start My First-Time Buyer Pre-Approval

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