First-time homebuyer loans
Stress less — buy your first home with confidence
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Get to know these loans
First-time homebuyer loans make it easier to buy your home by lowering your down payment, closing costs and mortgage insurance expenses. We offer 3 first-time homebuyer loans: FHA, HomeReady and our Ent first-time homebuyer loan.
With a fair or better credit score and a debt-to-income1 ratio of 55% or lower (FHA), 50% or lower (HomeReady) or 43% or lower (Ent’s FTHB), you can make your dream of homeownership a reality. These loans are available in 30-year terms with fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options.
Is this the loan for me?
I have a moderate or lower income
I have a moderate or lower income
I can afford to put at least 3% down2
I can afford to put at least 3% down2
I may need gift funds from a relative for loan costs
I may need gift funds from a relative for loan costs
No surprises — estimate your payment
No surprises — estimate your payment
Ready to know how much home you can afford? Just enter some basic information into the mortgage calculator below to estimate your total monthly payment, including principal and interest, monthly property taxes, fees and insurance.
Results from this calculation are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes only. Calculators should be used as a self-help tool only and do not consider the impact of fees that may apply. Results may not be applicable to your individual situation and do not constitute an offer. We encourage you to seek advice and guidance from a qualified professional regarding all personal finance issues. Actual terms may differ.
Stress less with a first-time homebuyer loan from Ent
Stress less with a first-time homebuyer loan from Ent
90-day Lock & Shop rates3
Get pre-approved, lock in your interest rate and shop with confidence.
Lifetime loan support
We’ll be your contact for help. Have questions? You know who to call.
$500 guaranteed on-time closing4
You’ll close on your home on time, or we’ll owe you $500. Guaranteed.
Local expertise
With Ent, you’ve got local mortgage experts in your corner to guide you.
Ask a local expert
Ask a local expert
If you want to make sure a first-time homebuyer loan is the best option for you, reach out to our mortgage experts. They’re happy to answer your questions, and have the local experience to recommend the best loan for your personal situation.
Get free homebuying resources and tools
Get free homebuying resources and tools
Take advantage of our free tools, useful articles and more. You’ll stress less having the know-how you need to confidently achieve your goal of homeownership.
Buying a Home for the First Time? How to Navigate Your Purchase
Nothing could be more exciting than buying your first home! After years of saving and renting, it’s finally time to be the master of your own domain. But buying a home can be much more complicated than you might realize. The asking price of the home is just one piece of the equation as you navigate this all-too-important purchase. From shopping for a mortgage to budgeting for unexpected costs, we’ll walk you through every step of the process.
Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Loan: What You Need to Know
Are you ready to house hunt, but are wondering "How much mortgage can I afford?" Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can show sellers that you are a serious prospect and give you a leg up on other buyers who jump the gun by visiting open houses without even knowing their budget. In this market, where sellers are getting many offers including cash offers, a pre-approval can help you stand out as a buyer. When you have a documented pre-approval, the seller knows you will be able to get the funding you are offering for the home and you’ll be able to close more quickly and reliably.
Home Buying Process: Ten Major Steps to Buying a House
The decision to buy a home can be both exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Homeownership is what many of us strive for—to be able to have a home that we can call our own, as well as a real estate asset we can use to build our personal wealth. It is a big step to take. At the same time, though, the process of buying a house can be overwhelming. Understanding the step-by-step process in purchasing a home can help make the home-buying experience a more positive one for you and your family and can help reduce the additional stress that comes with big purchases in life.
HomeReady Loans
For many aspiring homeowners, finding an affordable path to homeownership can feel like a distant dream. HomeReady loans are a unique and flexible mortgage option designed to make this dream a reality for a broader range of individuals and families. In this article, we delve into the world of HomeReady loans, demystifying their features, benefits, and eligibility criteria.
What are the Differences: VA Loan vs Conventional Loan
Choosing the right credit union mortgage loan shouldn’t feel like decoding a secret manual. Yet when people first compare a VA loan vs a conventional loan, the jargon — funding fees, PMI, conforming limits — can stall the search before it starts. This guide strips away the haze by lining up the two products feature by feature. You will see how each loan handles down payments, credit scores, interest rates, and closing costs, and you’ll finish with a checklist that points you toward the option most likely to fit your budget, service record, and future plans.
VA loan eligibility requirements
If you are an Armed Forces member or veteran, you may qualify for the VA loan program. VA loans come with lower eligibility requirements to help service members and their families afford to buy a home even if they don’t have a lot of money in savings or a high credit score. You will need to ensure you meet all the VA loan requirements to get approved. Learn more about the VA loan requirements to see if you qualify.
How much do you need for a down payment on a house?
Understanding how much you may need for a down payment is an important part of the home-buying process. Your down payment amount not only can help you determine if you have enough money saved to purchase a house but can also affect your monthly payments going forward. Read this article to learn more about the down payment requirements for different home loans.
Adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgages
The interest rate on your mortgage will either be fixed or adjustable depending on what type of mortgage you choose. A fixed-rate mortgage means the interest rate will stay the same over the entire life of the loan. You will need to pay the same amount every month until the balance is paid off in full. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate will vary at regular intervals, which means your monthly payment will also fluctuate. Both types of home loans will help you secure a piece of property, but they come with different terms and conditions that can affect your finances. Read this article to learn more about the difference between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages.
Buying a House in a Hot Market
Buying a home in a seller’s market can be challenging. While housing market conditions may be less than ideal, there are still benefits to buying a property versus renting. Use these tips to stay ahead of the competition and land the house you’ve always wanted.
First-time homebuyer loan FAQs
If you’re buying a home for the first time, you will need to apply for a mortgage at a financial institution either online or in person. An Ent mortgage lender can help you determine which loan is best for you. They can also pre-approve you for up to a certain amount that you can spend on a home of your choice.
To get approved for the loan, you must have a stable source of income. You’ll need to submit information about your finances, including pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns and the balances of any outstanding debts. Every lender has its own borrowing requirements you’ll need to comply with.
One of the best benefits of a first-time homebuyer program is that you don’t need to save as much for a down payment. If you qualify, Ent allows you to have as little as 3% down, but you will have to pay an additional monthly cost for private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI is required for any down payment of less than 20%. If you can’t afford the initial down payment, you may qualify for a down payment assistance (DPA) program.
Talk to an Ent loan officer to learn more about these programs and benefits.
Yes, you can always refinance your mortgage as a first-time homebuyer, regardless of what type of mortgage you received. You can refinance your mortgage to lower your monthly payment, adjust the terms and conditions of your loan or take advantage of lower interest rates. You can refinance your first-time homebuyer mortgage with your existing financial institution or a different lender. However, you will need to pay closing costs on the new mortgage, so make sure you’ll save money in the long term.
How much mortgage you can afford depends on the size of your down payment and how much you can afford to pay each month. Each lender has debt-to-income requirements to ensure you can make your monthly payments until the loan is fully paid off.
Use the Ent Mortgage Payment Calculator to estimate the cost of your monthly payment based on the price of your home, the interest rate, the length of the repayment period, the size of your down payment and other expenses related to homeownership. Add in other recurring debts to see how much you will need to spend to repay your debt every month. In most cases, your monthly debts and financial obligations shouldn’t exceed 36% of your gross monthly income.
Borrowers who are interested in Ent’s First-time Homebuyer loan program will receive more relaxed qualification requirements, lower down payment requirements, and discounted private mortgage insurance (PMI) rates. Only those who have not owned a home in the last three years are eligible, and these benefits make it easier for you to move into your first home at a price you can afford.
For first-time homebuyer loans, banks and credit unions can set their own guidelines and loan qualification criteria. This lets Ent offer a program with a 30-year term, fixed- or adjustable-rate options, discounted mortgage insurance rates and, maybe best of all, a lower down payment of only 3%. To take advantage of this program, borrowers need a slightly higher credit score and lower debt-to-income ratio compared to what is needed for an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan.
FHA loans can also be great for first-time homebuyers or anyone looking to take advantage of easier qualification guidelines. These guidelines are set by the FHA which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The main benefits of an FHA loan include term options of 15 or 30 years, a down payment as low as 3.5% and eligibility for those with a slightly lower credit score. It is also important to consider that FHA loans require that you have mortgage insurance for the life of the loan, and they do not include an adjustable-rate option.
* APR - Annual Percentage Rate: An annual percentage rate is a broader measure of the cost of borrowing money than the interest rate. The APR reflects the interest rate, any points, mortgage broker fees, and other charges that you pay to get the loan. For that reason, your APR is usually higher than your interest rate. Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
All interest rates, qualification criteria and underwriting analysis is subject to the sole discretion of Ent Credit Union. This may include analysis of satisfactory insurance, appraisal and title reports. Additional conditions or exclusions may apply. Ent Credit Union reserves the right to cancel any offer or loan at any time.
1 Mortgage criteria shown such as DTI, credit score, down payment/LTV, terms, and other qualifications are intended for general education and awareness of guidelines for each product and program. For information on how to calculate your DTI, please see this resource from Ent Credit Union. To understand how loan criteria relates to your unique situation, please contact a mortgage expert at Ent Credit Union to discuss your options.
2 3% down payment options are available for first-time home buyer programs and qualifying conventional loans. Financial details of each loan are based on an individual’s credit score, assets, debt, and overall financial situation. Loan requirements are subject to change at Ent’s sole discretion.
3 Lock & Shop is available on fixed-rate mortgage loans, excluding all refinance types and CHFA loans. This allows you to shop for your home and close your loan, for a total of 90 days of rate increase protection, all at no cost to you. Additional conditions or exclusions may apply. Please refer to Ent’s Important Loan Information and Mortgage Rate Lock Information for more information.
4 $500 Mortgage Closing Guarantee is based on the mortgage loan closing date provided in the original sales contract. This guarantee is only available on purchase mortgage loans with closing dates set for a minimum of 30 days after the original purchase contract is signed. Loan closing date is subject to receipt of completed application and required supporting documentation. Required supporting documentation must be provided no less than two (2) business days after application receipt. Loan closing is subject to underwriting approval. Closing guarantee is not applicable if: a) borrower changes loan products or terms, b) closing is delayed due to seller’s failure to close on time, c) borrower fails to meet contract requirements, d) closing is delayed due to a third party requirement, including appraisal and inspection, e) closing date is not included in the contract, f) closing is delayed due to inclement weather or natural disaster, or g) loan documentation or application contains fraudulent information. Ent reserves the right to amend, terminate or withdraw this offer at any time without prior notice. Guarantee paid in the form of a $500 credit on the settlement form at closing.
Standard account and credit qualifications apply. All loans subject to final credit approval. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice and are dependent upon credit performance. Visit Ent.com/Legal to review Ent’s Important Loan Information and Disclosures.
Financing available on homes in Colorado. Property insurance is required. Consult a tax adviser for further information regarding deductibility of interest and charges.
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