First-Time Homebuyers

Stop renting, start owning.

As a first-time homebuyer, you may be both excited and nervous about purchasing your first home. CMCU is here for you and ready to walk you through each step so you can enjoy your first home buying experience.

Home sweet home.
 
 

Before you start searching for a house

Thinking about buying your own home can be very exciting, but you want to make sure you're ready to take on the responsibilities of owning a home.

  1. Review your budget
    Take some time to look at your income, debts, savings, and spending in general. Start thinking about what type of mortgage payment would fit into your budget. Be sure to take into consideration the additional expenses that may come with homeownership, such as repairs, maintenance, upgrades, etc.
  2. Check your credit score
    A higher credit score will help you get a lower interest rate. This means you'll be paying less in a monthly mortgage payment and less interest over the life of the loan. Consumers have access to one free credit score per year at freecreditscore.com
  3. Save Up
    You may need money for a down payment which may vary between 3 - 10% of the mortgage loan. Some programs are available for first-time homebuyers that do not require a down payment (although it's always a good idea to put money down to save on interest). Whether you'll need to pay a down payment or not, there are other expenses to take into consideration like the origination fee, closing costs, and any upgrades or renovations on the wish list for your new house (hello, fresh paint!).
Home checklist
 
 

When you're ready to start searching for a house

You've done the prep work, now it's time to start getting serious about buying a house. Do you know where to start? Here are some tips to consider when you're ready to take on homeownership.

  1. Get prequalified
    Start an application for a mortgage loan and get prequalified first. This way, you'll know how much you can afford when you start house shopping. Sellers will likely pick your offer over others who are not prequalified since you know for sure how much of a loan you can take out.
  2. Work with a Real Estate Agent
    An agent can help you find homes within your budget and with the items on your wish list (like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms). They can get you access to view the home before purchasing. A real estate agent can also help with negotiating and making an offer with the seller.
  3. Keep up the good communication
    It's important to stay in good communication with your mortgage lender. He or she may periodically ask for additional documentation. The quicker you are responsive and get these items to the lender, the faster the overall process will go.

Click here to learn more about the home loan process: Learn More

First time home buyers touring home
 
 

Mortgage Loans for First Time Home Buyers

RURAL
DEVELOPMENT

No money down
Income limits
Geography limits

LEARN MORE

HOMEREADY®
BY FANNIE MAE

For credit-worthy low-to-moderate income borrowers
Lower rate
Lower PMI
LEARN MORE

FHA
LOAN

3.5% down
Able to get approval with lower
credit scores
Able to get approval with higher LTV
LEARN MORE

CONVENTIONAL
MORTGAGE

Min. 3% down for first-time
home buyers (otherwise, min. 5%)
PMI can be removed at 80% LTV
Many serviced locally
LEARN MORE

ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGE (ARM)

Lower closing costs
May fluctuate payments
when intro rate expires
Serviced in-house
LEARN MORE

Mortgage Loan Calculator

Estimate monthly payments and total interest paid on any fixed-rate mortgage loan.

Loan Amount:
Annual Interest Rate:
Loan term:
Annual Real EstateTaxes:
Annual Homeowners Insurance:
Monthly Private Mortgage Insurance:
Monthly Principal and Interest Payment:
Monthly Tax, Insurance and PMI payment:
Total Monthly Payment:

*Calculator provides general estimations only. Inconsistencies may occur with the use of the calculator and the outcomes are not credit guarantees. For specific payment and interest information, please contact us.

Calculating mortgage payment
 
 

HELPFUL TIP

Submitting an application for pre-qualification is the best way to know how much you can afford, and if the monthly payments fit in your budget.

Apply for a mortgage loan today!

We’re ready to help finance your first home so you can stop renting, and start owning.

Apply Now

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Please note, while you are undergoing the mortgage loan process, it is best that you check with your mortgage lender before opening any other loans at the same time.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.
What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you.
We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.

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