Get Started FAQs

First-time homebuyers and repeat homebuyers with low to moderate income and low credit scores may qualify for Fannie Mae's HomeReady® Mortgage program, which lets you put down as little as 3%. Other conventional loans allow you to put down as little as 5%.

Credit is your ability to obtain goods or services and repay at a later time — think credit cards, mortgages, student loans, etc. And credit scores are a way to reflect that, ranging on a scale from 300 to 850.

When buying or refinancing a home, lenders use your credit score as a way to assess your financial health. Factors like payment history and age of credit determine your score. Typically, you need a score of 620 for approval on a conventional loan. And oftentimes, the higher your score, the more favorable your options.

Get started to find out what's right for you and to understand all your options.

We offer different types of terms to fit both new loan and refinancing needs. Get started to find out what's right for you and to understand all your options.

Our minimum loan amount for both purchase and refinance transactions is $75,000.

There are a few things you can do to improve your chances for a low interest rate.

Improve your credit score. The higher your credit score, the more creditworthy you seem to potential lenders, which could result in a lower interest rate.

Make a higher down payment. Putting down a larger down payment gives you more equity in the home, which, in turn, can lower your interest rate.

Purchase discount points. Points are upfront fees calculated as a percentage of your total loan amount and paid directly to the lender at closing in exchange for a reduced interest rate. You have the option to choose the number of points and how many you buy when discussing rate options with your home loan expert.

Though down payment requirements vary based on the type of loan you get, for eligible borrowers, we offer down payments on conventional loans for as low as 3%, including with the HomeReady® Mortgage program.

For qualifying jumbo borrowers, we have a 10.01% down payment option for our purchase product.

The initial deposit is $550. However, it can cost up to $1415 depending on your state, property type, and loan type.

The actual cost of the appraisal will be on the Loan Estimate sent after submission of your application.

Yes. Fannie Mae's HomeReady® Mortgage program is designed to help first-time buyers and those who have limited down payment funds or unique circumstances.

The details:

Standard loan terms. We offer 20-year and 30-year fixed rate terms for this program.

Flexible down payment options. You may be able to put as little as 3% down with the potential to save on private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Homeownership education course. To help set you up for financial success, you'll need to complete an online education course as a requirement for your loan.

Get started online today.

You can call us at 1-855-256-2559 from Monday – Friday, 9 am – 9 pm ET, and Saturday 10 am – 4 pm ET.

It’s a $5,000 grant we’re currently offering to make owning a home a little more affordable.

The grant will go toward a borrower’s closing costs and/or down payment and doesn’t have to be repaid.

To receive the grant, the borrower has to meet certain income requirements and buy a primary home in an eligible Charlotte, Detroit or Philadelphia metro area.

Start your application today to see if you’re eligible.